Dilaudid Addiction-Hydromorphone

It’s Not Morphine, but It May As Well Be

First synthesized in Germany in 1924, then released to market in 1926 under the brand name Dilaudid, hydromorphone is a morphine derivative. It is an opioid painkiller and therefore a narcotic and if it is abused will cause hydromorphone addiction. Illegal without a prescription, dilaudid AKA hydromorphone is used as an analgesic alternative to morphine, and it is frequently use as a cough suppressant. Generally considered the strongest of the narcotic antitussives, it is a second- or third-line defense for dry, paroxysmal coughing which can result from bronchial irradiation caused by illness, inhalation of certain fungi, and other causes.

The effects of hydromorphone are similar to other opiods, dilaudid creates a “rush” of euphoria when injected. I think the rush that the user gets is a big reason why they do not stop using dilaudid. It has a relatively short duration, however, which can limit addiction to those people who have unsupervised access, such as personnel in the medical or pharmaceutical distribution networks, the wealthy, or those for whom it has been legitimately prescribed but who alter how the drug is administered. Hydromorphone, therefore, has an overall abuse probability and street value (for a comparably potency) only slightly smaller than morphine.

Getting through dilaudid withdrawal

Because of its short duration, withdrawal is short-lived but harsh. A dilaudid “cold turkey” withdrawal for a long-term user will resemble that of morphine withdrawal, but symptoms seem to be more concentrated. A not all-inclusive list of symptoms which may appear during the first day are restlessness, dilated pupils, alternatively sweating or chilling, muscle spasms, irritability, stomach or leg pain, severe backache, and/or insomnia. These are some of the symptoms you will have to deal with when you kick dilaudid cold turkey.

How to taper off of dilaudid

It is possible to taper off of the drug dilaudid but I would suggest that you speak with the prescribing physician beforehand. If you happen to have become addicted to them from buying them in the streets not to worry this can still work. Lets say you are taking 20mg of dillaudid per day try removing 1mg each day until you get down to nothing this will prevent any withdrawal.

Overcome Dilaudid addiction

These symptoms can be somewhat mitigated by intervention with other medications. Also, the addict will benefit from behavioral therapy to address the underlying reasons for the addiction.

If you think that you may have a dilaudid addiction I suggest that you think strongly about going to rehab. There you will get the help you need. If you go you can expect to be medically detoxed from dilaudid.

This will be done by a medical staff who will administer prescription medications to help comfort you during your withdrawal. Take action and get help now to overcome dilaudid addiction. There is no reason not to quit using dilaudid we can no longer make excuses for our addiction once we realize that a problem exists. It took me a long time to get clean and stay clean but I did and so can you.

Good luck