Is Dilaudid Habit-Forming?

What is Dilaudid addiction? Learn about Dilaudid addiction, its various signs, symptoms, and how to detox.

Dilaudid Addiction and Abuse

Intake of Dilaudid pain medication can become a habit-forming action, even at constant doses. For this reason, it’s advisable to take the substance based on the doctor’s prescription. Misuse can cause addiction and Dilaudid overdose, especially in young adults, as a narcotic pain medication. Due to the high tendency of addiction Dilaudid causes, it’s important to know more about the substance.

Dilaudid Addiction

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What is Dilaudid?

Dilaudid is an opioid pain medication, which is also called narcotics. This class of medication gets manufactured in a laboratory. A common example of opiates is heroin. According to a valid report, over 17,000 people in the United States lost their lives to opioid overdose in 2017.1 

Hydromorphone is the generic name for Dilaudid. If comparing Dilaudid versus morphine, the Dilaudid pain killer is more potent. For this reason, doctors who prescribe the medication typically supervise signs of addiction. Apart from the high addiction tendency due to Dilaudid dependency, it can cause breathing problems that may be life-threatening.

Addiction to Dilaudid

An individual who consumes Dilaudid pain medication over some time can develop a physical addiction. It takes a few days to develop an addiction to the substance. Dilaudid abuse can cause stomach pain, drowsiness, liver disease, and constipation.

Before prescribing the substance for intake, doctors typically ensure the person doesn’t have an allergic reaction to hydromorphone. Mental health experts also check for breathing problems, blockage in the stomach or intestine, and bowel obstruction.

Signs and Symptoms of Dilaudid Addiction

Many times, it is difficult for individuals to know they have developed Dilaudid dependency since addiction typically develops after prescription. There are fundamental signs to check for in individuals if there’s a major concern regarding Dilaudid addiction. Most of the symptoms are behavioral, physical, cognitive, and psychosocial.

Notable Symptoms of Dilaudid Addiction

Dilaudid addiction can pose harmful consequences to the mind and body. Here are some of the significant symptoms to note:
  • Mood swings
  • Noticeable breathing problems
  • Itching/scratching
  • Excessive sweating
  • Taking laxatives to help with constipation
  • Poor coordination
  • Nodding off

Effects of Dilaudid Addiction

If an individual continues intake without medical attention, there is often a tendency to develop specific Dilaudid side effects. Note that these Dilaudid side effects may increase severity at a higher Dilaudid dosage. Here are the significant side effects of Dilaudid to note:
  • Headache
  • Vomiting
  • Muscle aches and pains
  • Anxiety
  • Loss of Consciousness
  • Blood pressure changes
  • Slowed breathing
  • Seizures

Ways in Which Dilaudid is Abused

In the United States and beyond, Dilaudid abuse is common in various ways. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a million Americans reported using hydromorphone without a doctor’s prescription.2  For this reason, most teens and older adults obtain the medication from medicine cabinets or family and friends.

Below are some of the common ways the medication is administered into the body system.

Swallow the Tablets

Most individuals swallow the tablet as a whole. Doctors typically advise careful intake of Dilaudid for pain as swallowing broken, crushed, or dissolved tablets can provide too much hydromorphone. Swallowing the tablet can result in breathing complications, which may be life-threatening. Note that a wrong Dilaudid dosage can also cause an overdose.

Chew Them for Even Quicker Effects

Rather than swallowing the Dilaudid pain killer, most individuals decide to chew them. Chewing Dilaudid drugs may have faster effects than swallowing the tablets as a whole. Hence, when individuals chew these pills, the effects kick in faster. Most people experiencing substance use disorders for long periods typically chew medication instead of swallowing it.

Crush them for Snorting or Smoking

Snorting or smoking a substance increases the tendency for addiction due to Dilaudid dependency. Snorting a Dilaudid controlled substance often helps bypass the release time and causes the individual to get a more intense high. Snorting lets the substance get into the bloodstream much faster than swallowing. The substance gets absorbed into the bloodstream and reaches the brain more quickly with snorting.

Inject the Drug Intravenously or Muscularly by Crushing the Pill and Mixing with a Liquid

Injecting the substance directly into the bloodstream has the most significant effect on the brain. Individuals use syringes to bypass the metabolism processes other methods like swallowing the tablet may require. Using the intravenous technique proves to be risky as it increases the tendency for individuals to develop HIV, Hepatitis, and other infections.3 

Dilaudid Withdrawal and Detox

Sudden discontinuation in Dilaudid abuse can cause certain withdrawal symptoms. Depending on certain factors like quantity and frequency of intake, these symptoms can differ in severity and timeline. Dilaudid withdrawal requires proper medical supervision to avoid complications.

Symptoms of Withdrawal

Some of the mild to severe symptoms of Dilaudid withdrawal include:
dilaudid treatment 

Restlessness

Due to increased drug cravings, individuals may find themselves restless and unable to carry out normal activities. Some individuals develop restless leg syndrome, which is very common among people experiencing opioid withdrawal.

Tremors

Individuals may experience uncontrollable shaking in their hands and legs. Depending on previous drug intake factors, the shakes may begin 24 to 48 hours after the last intake. However, it may reduce in intensity after 72 hours.

Intense Drug Cravings

People experiencing Dilaudid addiction may often find themselves in positions of intense drug craving. These individuals usually take steps that show a significant need for the substance.

Body Cramps

One of the major Dilaudid withdrawal symptoms is body cramps due to discontinued intake. Individuals may feel like they would feel better from the cramps if they get an amount of Dilaudid.

Shaking

This shaking is similar to the tremor that usually occurs. However, it may be more prominent in other body areas apart from the hands and legs.

Agitation

Individuals may experience psychomotor agitation, which is a condition where there’s purposeless physical activity.

Dilaudid Withdrawal Timeline

Dilaudid withdrawal symptoms typically begin 24 to 48 hours after the last intake. The withdrawal timeline typically depends on the effects of the Dilaudid half-life. In most cases, the withdrawal timeline also varies from person to person due to Dilaudid toxicity levels in the body. It typically depends on how much the individual took the Drug and the intake period

Based on the Dilaudid half-life, withdrawal symptoms usually become less intense after 48 to 72 hours of intake. In most scenarios, the withdrawal syndrome gets resolved between five to seven days. With medical supervision, the Dilaudid treatment through withdrawal is safer.4 

Get Help from Concise Recovery

If you’re experiencing Dilaudid addiction or know a loved one experiencing this condition, reach out for help. Concise Recovery provides Dilaudid treatment and individualized care for every person seeking help. Contact us today.

Resources

  1. https://nida.nih.gov/drug-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates
  2. https://www.unodc.org/documents/drug-prevention-and-treatment/nonmedical-use-prescription-drugs.pdf
  3. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601148.html
  4. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-9130/dilaudid-oral/details