Dilaudid is a synthetic narcotic that’s sometimes prescribed for those in severe pain. But is Dilaudid addictive, and are there any issues to worry about with long-term use? This short guide explains what the drug is used for and how to get help for Dilaudid addiction. If you or someone close to you is showing signs of Dilaudid addiction, call the National Rehab Hotline today for free, confidential advice and support.
What Is Dilaudid?
Dilaudid is the brand name used for a drug called hydromorphone. It’s a synthetic narcotic in the opioid category, and it works by binding to the mu-opioid receptors in the brain and stomach. Dilaudid is a very powerful pain reliever thought to be around five times stronger than morphine. It’s sometimes prescribed as an analgesic for people who have pain that isn’t responding to other, nonnarcotic forms of pain relief.
Is Dilaudid Addictive?
Dilaudid is a derivative of morphine, and doctors are often cautious about prescribing such drugs because it’s possible to build up a tolerance to them. Opioids can also be habit-forming, and people who become dependent on them may start to engage in drug-seeking behavior. So, is Dilaudid addictive? For some individuals, yes. Even people who take Diluad at prescribed doses can find the drug habit-forming.
Dangers of Dilaudid
Opioid medication has powerful pain relief properties, and Dilaudid also acts as a cough suppressant. Unfortunately, these desirable properties are offset by the drug’s high potential for abuse. The drug has several side effects, including:
- Dizziness, nausea and vomiting
- Low blood pressure
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Risk of respiratory depression
People who take Dilaudid for extended periods may build up a tolerance to the drug and find they require increasingly large doses to achieve the same level of pain relief. The drug is addictive, and those who’ve become dependent on it often engage in doctor shopping or try to purchase legitimate personal supplies of medication for their own use.
Combining Dilaudid with alcohol can be incredibly dangerous, as alcohol may increase the side effects of Dilaudid and increase blood levels of the drug. An overdose of Dilaudid can be fatal in some cases, as the drug both slows down breathing and reduces a person’s blood pressure.
Signs of an overdose can include:
- A weak pulse
- Shallow breathing
- Feeling dizzy or fainting
- Blue lips
- Nausea and vomiting
- Feeling disoriented
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Being difficult to wake after falling asleep
- Cool, clammy skin
- Stomach cramps
- Twitching muscles
- Small pupils
- Falling unconscious
If you see someone showing those symptoms, seek professional medical help immediately.
In 2021, there were 106,699 drug overdose deaths in the United States, and synthetic opioids were the main cause of those deaths. Because of Dilaudid’s side effects, the risk of overdose and the addictive nature of the medication, Dilaudid is a Schedule II controlled drug.
Withdrawal Symptoms From Stopping Dilaudid
When doctors prescribe Dilaudid to a patient, they choose the dose and duration carefully and monitor the patient to ensure their safety. Taking this medication for an extended period can lead to physical dependence, and if someone who’s dependent on it stops taking it suddenly or makes a significant change to their dosage, they may experience severe withdrawal symptoms.
These symptoms can include:
- Increased pain
- Feeling anxious or restless
- Irritability
- Nausea or vomiting
- Insomnia
- Tiredness
- Changes in blood pressure
- An increased heart rate
- Muscle cramps
- Poor temperature regulation (feeling chills or sweaty)
- Stomachaches
- Suicidal thoughts
- Seizures
In cases of severe addiction where an individual has been taking very high doses of an opioid, sudden withdrawal can be fatal.
Dilaudid withdrawal is something that should be supervised by a medical professional who either assists with safely tapering the dose or offers medication-assisted withdrawal to help manage the symptoms associated with coming off the drug.
Treatment Options for Dilaudid Addiction and Abuse
Dilaudid rehab services help people navigate both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction so they can safely go through withdrawal and have the best chance of remaining drug-free when they return to their daily lives.
There are several options for Dilaudid rehab. In general, the first step is to go through a medically supervised detox. Physicians can provide medications to minimize withdrawal symptoms if necessary and take steps to prevent complications, such as dehydration caused by vomiting.
Compared to some other medications, Dilaudid has a relatively short half-life, so the first symptoms of withdrawal may appear within 4-8 hours after the last dose. The severity of withdrawal symptoms will peak within 12-48 hours and gradually become less intense. The physical symptoms of withdrawal should pass within 5 to 7 days, but psychological challenges, such as anxiety and depression, may continue for much longer.
After the detox period, many people enroll in a Dilaudid rehab program to help them cope with those negative emotions and learn strategies to avoid having a relapse. Many rehab centers offer residential treatment options, and these have the highest chances of success for those who’ve been struggling with severe addiction.
Residential treatment centers offer a variety of services, including:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a therapy system that helps patients identify and challenge their negative thoughts. Through CBT, individuals in recovery can build coping strategies they can use in day-to-day life to manage stress and avoid falling back into the behaviors that led to their addiction.
- Mindfulness and medication. Dilaudid withdrawal can be difficult for people dealing with chronic pain, as they need to find ways to manage that pain without opioids. Mindfulness and meditation can help some individuals cope with their pain.
- Stress management. Techniques such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce stress, making it easier for patients to focus on their recovery and taking their minds off any pain they’re experiencing.
After you complete a residential program, the rehab center may offer ongoing support in the form of outpatient treatment. Not all individuals recovering from Dilaudid addiction need this support, but for those who are still struggling with anxiety, depression or other psychological symptoms, these programs can be invaluable.
When to Call a Dilaudid Helpline
Dilaudid is a powerful drug, and breaking free from it isn’t an easy thing to do. However, it’s possible to recover with proper support. The National Rehab Hotline is a confidential service that helps people find treatment facilities in their area so they can take the first step toward recovery. The National Rehab Hotline is open 24 hours a day, and calls are confidential.