Dilaudid is a brand name for hydromorphone, a potent opioid commonly prescribed for pain relief when weaker painkillers don’t suffice. Even though it can effectively alleviate discomfort, it doesn’t come without risk; sadly, it’s not uncommon for people to battle Dilaudid addiction. Worse yet, thousands of Americans each year lose their lives to it.

If you’re looking to learn more about the risks of hydromorphone use or get help for Dilaudid dependence, you’re in the right place.

This article will introduce you to the main things you should know about Dilaudid dependence and addiction, including their causes, signs and symptoms, prevention, treatment, and more.

What Is Dilaudid?

Dilaudid (hydromorphone hydrochloride) is a prescription opioid used to relieve moderate to severe pain resistant to non-opioid medications. As a semi-synthetic opioid, Dilaudid is derived from morphine but is as many as eight times more potent than it.

Hydromorphone is available as an immediate-release and extended-release medication. It comes in various forms, including tablets, injectable solutions, oral liquids, and rectal suppositories. Extended-release hydromorphone is also marketed under the brand name Exalgo® in the United States.

Some common street names for Dilaudid include:

• D
• Dillies
• Dust
• Footballs
• Smack

Dilaudid alleviates pain by interacting with opioid receptors in the central nervous system (CNS) and obstructing the transmission of pain signals between the body and the brain. It also triggers a dopamine rush. While this induces feelings of euphoria, it also contributes to the drug’s addictive potential.

Side Effects of Using Dilaudid

Dilaudid can cause various side effects, with the most common ones being:

• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Sedation
• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Constipation

These side effects are especially common when you first start taking the medication. Inform your doctor if you experience any of them (including ones not listed above). Mixing Dilaudid with alcohol and other substances can increase the risk of severe side effects and opioid overdose.

If you experience an allergic reaction to hydromorphone (skin rashes, itchiness, throat swelling, etc.), seek medical attention immediately.

Furthermore, long-term Dilaudid use and abuse increase the risk of:

• Tolerance
• Hydromorphone dependence
• Hydromorphone addiction
• Opioid overdose
• Respiratory problems
• Sleep disturbances
• Death

Is Dilaudid Addictive?

Dilaudid is very addictive, as evident from the fact that it is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance. Drugs in this category have a high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction, which is why you can only legally obtain them by prescription.

If you take this medication, and especially if you do it repeatedly over a prolonged period of time, you’ll build up tolerance to it. Once this happens, your body becomes desensitized to the drug to the point where your usual dose ceases to be effective.

Tolerance is a sign of physical dependence on Dilaudid; it causes your body to rely on the drug to maintain normal functioning. Without it, you’ll enter a state of opioid withdrawal. This is why so many people continue taking Dilaudid—to prevent pain and discomfort. Eventually, hydromorphone dependence can develop into an opioid addiction.

Besides prolonged medication use, hydromorphone abuse, i.e., taking the drug in any way other than prescribed, can also put you at a greater risk of Dilaudid dependence and addiction.

Common examples of Dilaudid abuse include: 

• Taking it without a prescription
• Combining it with other substances
• Taking it in higher doses than instructed
• Consuming it in other ways than prescribed (e.g., crushing pills and snorting them)

Dilaudid Abuse Statistics

In the United States, Dilaudid abuse and addiction can be rightfully considered a public health emergency.

Here are some statistics to prove it:

• In 2022, slightly above 11,700 Americans lost their lives to an overdose involving natural and semi-synthetic opioids, including Dilaudid.
• 1.2% of prescription painkiller misusers abused hydromorphone and its products in 2022.
• In 2021, over 1.2 million prescriptions for hydromorphone were issued to more than 400,000 patients.
• In 2010, 3.4 tons of hydromorphone were consumed globally; Americans consumed close to 2 tons, making the U.S. the country with the highest hydromorphone consumption. 

Dilaudid Addiction Signs and Symptoms

Dilaudid addiction manifests in various physical and behavioral signs and symptoms. The most prominent one of these is the loss of control over hydromorphone use; people addicted to this drug continue to take it even when it wreaks havoc on their lives. 

Luckily, hydromorphone addiction can be successfully treated once you realize your Dilaudid use has become problematic.

On that note, let’s discuss the key signs and symptoms of Dilaudid addiction you shouldn’t ignore if you or a loved one is taking hydromorphone.

Dilaudid Addiction Physical Symptoms

The most common physical symptoms of Dilaudid abuse and addiction are:

• Drowsiness
• Appetite loss
• Dilated pupils
• Slurred speech
• Breathing problems
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Sudden, unexplained weight loss
• Opioid withdrawal symptoms upon Dilaudid discontinuation

Hydromorphone addiction can also manifest in various psychological symptoms, such as depression, irritability, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.

Dilaudid Addiction Behavioral Symptoms 

Some of the most common behavioral symptoms that may indicate an addiction to Dilaudid include:

• Losing control over Dilaudid use
• Becoming withdrawn from loved ones
• Making attempts to quit Dilaudid only to relapse
• Taking increasingly higher doses of hydromorphone
• Taking Dilaudid despite the harms associated with it
• Showing less or no interest in once-enjoyed activities
• Suffering from performance problems at work or in school
• Continuing to take Dilaudid after the pain has been resolved
• Failing to keep up with responsibilities at work or in personal life
• Spending a significant amount of time obtaining and using hydromorphone
• Attempting to obtain Dilaudid by lying, forging prescriptions, doctor shopping, etc.

Dilaudid Addiction Causes and Risk Factors

Dilaudid addiction is caused by a chemical imbalance that occurs in the CNS due to repeated opioid exposure.

Opioids like Dilaudid don’t just alter the perception of pain; they also affect the production of chemicals in the brain.

Specifically, hydromorphone obstructs the natural production of endorphins. Simultaneously, it activates the production of opioid receptors, prompting your body to require higher and higher amounts of the drug to satisfy cravings.

Therefore, even those who take their medication according to the doctor’s instructions will develop Dilaudid dependence if they take it long enough. If left untreated, it can turn into addiction.

The difference between Dilaudid dependence and addiction is that dependence is purely physical. It is characterized by tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Meanwhile, addiction is also psychological; those addicted to Dilaudid struggle to maintain control of their opioid use, even though it harms them.

Dilaudid Withdrawal Symptoms

Dilaudid (hydromorphone) withdrawal symptoms occur in people dependent on the drug once they stop taking it or reduce their dosage.

Withdrawal symptoms from hydromorphone occur within the first 12 hours after the last dose and last more or less 14 days. These symptoms can be physical and psychological, with physical symptoms resolving faster. 

Here are the most common withdrawal symptoms people with Dilaudid dependence experience after discontinuing their medication:

• Anxiety
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Agitation
• Insomnia
• Sweating
• Depression
• Flu-like symptoms
• Increased heart rate
• Muscle and joint aches
• Elevated blood pressure
• Hydromorphone cravings

In some cases, cravings, depression, and other psychological symptoms may persist for much longer than the typical two weeks, increasing the risk of relapse.

Moreover, quitting Dilaudid “cold turkey” can lead to particularly severe withdrawal symptoms. Since this exposes you to a very high risk of relapse, overdose, life-threatening complications, and death, you should never stop taking your medication abruptly.

Seeking professional help can minimize these risks and facilitate long-term recovery from hydromorphone addiction.

Risks of Dilaudid Overdose

Dilaudid overdose is a life-threatening emergency that happens when you take a larger amount of hydromorphone than your body can metabolize. If it is not treated promptly, it can be fatal.

For this reason, you should carefully follow how much Dilaudid you consume to ensure you don’t take an extra dose by accident. Any amount that exceeds your prescription constitutes hydromorphone abuse and can be dangerous.

Never combine Dilaudid with other substances that may interact with it, including alcohol, other opioids, and sedatives, as this increases the risk of respiratory depression and overdose. Consuming illegally obtained Dilaudid also enhances these risks, as it may be laced with other, often more potent substances, such as fentanyl.

Call 911 as soon as you notice the following signs of a Dilaudid overdose in yourself or someone around you:

• Cold and clammy skin
• Slowed, shallow breathing
• Constricted pupils
• Severe drowsiness
• Unresponsiveness
• Loss of consciousness
• Slowed heart rate
• Skin, lip, and nail discoloration
• Seizures

How to Prevent Dilaudid Addiction

There’s only one foolproof way to prevent Dilaudid dependence and addiction, and that’s not to take it at all. 

If you’re looking for a remedy for your pain, don’t rush into opioid treatment. While it may be effective, using Dilaudid is never safe; you could become dependent. The longer your treatment lasts, the higher the chances grow. Therefore, your best option is to consult with your doctor about non-opioid treatment alternatives.

If Dilaudid is your only option, follow these tips to minimize the risk of becoming addicted:

• If possible, choose the shortest treatment duration.
• Take Dilaudid strictly as indicated in your prescription.
• Do not mix your medication with alcohol or other substances.
• Notify your doctor about any side effects you experience after taking Dilaudid.
• Let your doctor know about any medications, supplements, etc., you’re taking to make sure they don’t interact with opioids.
• Don’t increase your Dilaudid dosage on your own—if you have concerns about how much hydromorphone you should take, discuss them with your doctor.

ANR Treatment for Dilaudid Addiction

If you’re looking for a safe and effective Dilaudid dependence treatment, the best thing you can do for yourself is to opt for Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR).

No other treatment compares to ANR in terms of effectiveness, safety, and speed. 

Here’s why:

• ANR is the only opioid dependence treatment that tackles the root of the problem rather than its symptoms through the re-regulation of the endorphin-receptor system.
• The ANR treatment has a very high success rate and facilitates a lasting recovery by restoring your brain to its pre-addiction state, thereby eliminating the risk of relapse.
• Regardless of which center you pick, ANR is carried out by board-certified healthcare professionals in an ICU setting of accredited hospitals, ensuring patient safety.
• ANR offers a personalized approach by tailoring the treatment to your medical history, needs, etc., negating the risk of side effects and making it safe for virtually anyone.

Not to mention, the average hospital stay for ANR lasts just 36 hours!

Whether you want to learn more about the benefits of ANR or get started with the treatment, don’t hesitate to contact us—we’ll be happy to answer your questions and guide you through your recovery.

Key Takeaways

Hopefully, this article helped you better understand the dangers of Dilaudid dependence and how to avoid them.

If you believe you might be struggling with hydromorphone addiction, know that it’s never too late to get help. Whether you’ve been dependent on hydromorphone for a month, a year, or a decade, the ANR treatment can help you overcome it within a matter of days.

Now, let’s go over the key points we covered today:

• Dilaudid is a pain medication containing hydromorphone, a potent derivative of morphine.
• Dilaudid is very addictive because it alters the brain, which means that anyone taking it risks developing hydromorphone dependence.
• Some signs of hydromorphone addiction include social isolation, poor work or school performance, and the loss of control over opioid use.