Many individuals don't understand this completely whenever they commence a methadone maintenance program, but methadone as a prescription medicine doesn't in fact treat opiate addiction. Methadone, whether included in an opiate maintenance program or used illegally, creates significant dependence which is much more severe than most other opiates such as heroin. For this reason, individuals who wish to get off of methadone will have to undergo methadone detoxification with the aid of rehabilitation professionals. Individuals who have tried to stop methadone use by themselves cold turkey can tell you that this is almost impossible, and many relapse in a short time. With professional methadone detoxification, there is certainly hope for those who would like to abstain from the drug forever. In a drug and alcohol detoxification center alcohol and drug treatment facility which handled methadone dependency and addiction treatment specialists work tirelessly to help ease withdrawal symptoms and make certain methadone detoxification is a safe process. There are no real health threats associated with methadone detoxification when the person is in good health, but this isn't always the case. Bad health as a result of drug abuse may make methadone detoxification dangerous, which is one more reason folks should undergo methadone detoxification within a professional facility.