Dilaudid is fast becoming one of the most popular opioids to abuse. Users can develop Dilaudid tolerance in a couple of weeks, making it a dangerous prescription painkiller. While we often only hear about the opioid epidemic, we don’t hear about the brand-names or specific medications causing rising addiction cases. Let’s explore some Dilaudid addiction facts to understand how this potent drug affects the body and mind.
What is Dilaudid?
Dilaudid is a brand name for hydromorphone, a schedule II controlled substance for moderate to severe pain. It triggers the release of excessive amounts of dopamine, leading to pleasurable feelings and activating the brain’s reward system. Long-term use or misuse of this substance causes the body to become dependent on Dilaudid.
People can ingest it either orally, intranasally, or intravenously, making it a drug with a high risk of misuse and addiction. Regardless of how people use it, its effects last between four to six hours.
Other Names for Dilaudid
Hydromorphone is the active ingredient in Dilaudid. Popular brand names for this addictive compound include Exalgo, Palladone, and Dilaudid-hp. However, like many other opioids, Dilaudid is also available in the black market under street names, including D’s, Dillies, Big D, M-80s, and Peaches.
5 Interesting Dilaudid Addiction Facts You Should Know
With the number of opioid addiction cases rising each year, it’s paramount that we educate ourselves on these facts to understand the problem. Most opiate addicts start by taking pain-relieving medications and use them following their doctor’s orders. However, opioids like Dilaudid are highly addictive, and people can develop a physical dependence without notice.
1. Dilaudid User Mix It with Other Drugs
Most recreational Dilaudid users mix alcohol and benzodiazepines to increase their high. These drugs are all central nervous system depressants that can be highly addictive. When people combine these drugs, which amplifies the effects of Dilaudid and slow their breathing and heart rates, when this happens, people can suffer side effects like respiratory failure, seizures, or end up in a coma.
Dilaudid addicts are always trying to recreate the euphoric experience they did when they first tried the drug. However, because the body develops a tolerance to this substance, they move on to abusing more potent drugs like heroin, which are often more accessible and cheaper.
2. Young Adults Abuse Opioids the Most
Since these are prescription medications to treat severe pain, people think it’s older adults falling addictive. However, the highest percentage of people abusing drugs like Dilaudid are young adults between 18 and 25. Additionally, the DEA reports that rural populations and suburban areas are more likely to abuse hydromorphone. They tend to go doctor shopping to get more prescriptions and even participate in robberies to get the drugs.
3. Everyone is Susceptible to Dilaudid Addiction
Dilaudid is a medication that’s 5-10 times more potent than morphine. While people think only those with a history of substance abuse will abuse Dilaudid, the reality is far from different. Usually, addiction to Dilaudid starts with a legitimate prescription for pain relief.
However, tolerance for the drug can develop in as little as two to three weeks, which is still considered a short-term prescription. Because of this, users end up looking for higher doses, so the medication remains effective. After some time, the person becomes physically and mentally dependent.
4. It’s Common to Struggle with Co-Occurring Disorders
Mental illnesses often co-occur with Dilaudid addiction and other substance abuse disorders. In this case, Dilaudid abuse can trigger mental health symptoms or worsen previous ones. The most common co-occurring mental health disorder with opioids are anxiety and depression. However, some people develop personality disorders, as well.
5. Risk of Overdose is High
Because most Dilaudid addicts also misuse other substances, an overdose is a huge concern. When someone stops taking Dilaudid and then returns its use, they are at high risk of overdose. Even trying to quit Dilaudid can be dangerous. People will often experience relapses and try to take the same amount or higher doses to find out that their body’s tolerance has changed.
Dilaudid Abuse Statistics
Like other opiates, Dilaudid abuse statistics are highly monitored by different agencies. As the number of cases continues to rise, and the fight against prescription opioids advances, we hope to see these numbers go down significantly.
- By 2010, the United States was consuming 65 percent of the world’s Dilaudid.
- Almost all of the hydromorphone produced each year are used by Americans, according to the 2019 World Drug Report.
- Dilaudid is approximately 5-10 times more potent than morphine.
- The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) estimated that 4.3 million Americans aged 12 and older were current abusers of prescription painkillers in 2014.
- The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) reported almost 20,000 emergency visits involving the nonmedical use of hydromorphone in 2011.
- Opioid misuse is so prevalent in the United States that more than 130 Americans die from an opioid overdose daily.
Dilaudid Addiction Treatment Options
Dilaudid addiction does not have to be a death sentence; in many cases, people can seek treatment and find sobriety. However, because of the severe consequences of withdrawal symptoms, having the right support system is critical to prevent deadly outcomes.
Most people starting their Dilaudid addiction treatment are recommended a detox program paired with a partial hospitalization program (PHP) that eases withdrawal symptoms and provides patients with a secure and supervised environment to begin their recovery. Many treatment facilities can help structure the right treatment plan. At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, our addiction recovery programs include:
Medical Detox: In this clinically supervised detox process at treatment centers, we ensure the patient’s safety and make the withdrawal phase as comfortable as possible by minimizing withdrawal symptoms and using medication-assisted treatment services to guarantee a complete detoxification process.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Since many long-term Dilaudid addicts often struggle with mental illness, a dual diagnosis program can get them the help needed to treat both conditions simultaneously.
Intensive Outpatient Programs: When patients are looking to seek addiction treatment while maintaining daily obligations like work, school, or caregiving, IOPs are a more flexible option that still gives people access to the help they need.
Long-term Recovery Programs: With long-term recovery assistance, patients can have the ongoing support they need to maintain long-lasting sobriety. Recovery programs are crucial to relapse prevention.
Get Help Today
If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use disorders, ask for help immediately. Please, call Lighthouse Recovery Institute today and speak with our addiction specialists to learn more about our comprehensive and personalized addiction treatment programs.
Our addiction center offers unique and personalized treatment plans because we believe no two addictions are alike. The journey towards recovery is a long one, but together and with your family and friends’ support, we’ll make it.
