Hydromorphone Addiction
Hydromorphone addiction continues to contribute to the drug overdose epidemic across the United States. Similar to other opioids, hydromorphone is a highly addictive narcotic substance that can lead to physical and psychological dependence with regular use or abuse.
It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of addiction, so that early intervention can take place and recovery from hydromorphone abuse can begin. If you think you or someone you know may have an addiction to hydromorphone, it is vital to reach out for professional help in a quality addiction treatment center.
What Is Hydromorphone?
Hydromorphone is a highly potent prescription opioid—it is up to eight times stronger than morphine. Intended to treat moderate to severe pain, this medication is commonly prescribed for pain relief and cough suppression. Also known by brand names Dilaudid and Exalgo, this painkiller is often prescribed in pill and liquid forms.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), hydromorphone is a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act with an accepted medical use as a pain reliever. Like other Schedule II drugs, hydromorphone has a high potential for abuse and use may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence
What Is Hydromorphone Addiction?
Addiction to hydromorphone is developed over time, yet it progresses quickly because the drug is so potent. Dilaudid is meant as a short-term pain relief medication. For this reason, only in cases of severe lasting pain should a person be kept on hydromorphone past a few days.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently set new guidelines with an aim to reduce prescription opioid use where possible. This is because hydromorphone and other opioids are habit-forming, especially with long-term use.
Therefore, a person may be started on milder medications before being prescribed hydromorphone as a last option. Mostly, it’s used when other pain medications aren’t effective. When used correctly, it helps alleviate pain, but when misused it triggers feelings of euphoria and relaxation.
If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid abuse, please reach out for help today.
What Causes Hydromorphone Addiction?
Due to the drug’s analgesic properties, hydromorphone changes the way the brain and nervous system react to pain. This is because opioids bind to opioid receptors in the brain to block pain and flood the system with dopamine.
When people continue to abuse hydromorphone, their brain adapts to the medication and often develop tolerance. This means that the person needs to keep upping their dosage to feel the same effects. As people take increasingly higher doses of hydromorphone, their brains will likely develop psychological and physical dependence. After a dependence is formed, people require the drug to function without experiencing symptoms of withdrawal.
At this point, the person has developed a hydromorphone addiction and will have great difficulty stopping. At this point, hydromorphone withdrawal effects occur whenever the hydromorphone dose wears off.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Hydromorphone Addiction?
The signs of hydromorphone addiction appear quite similar to other opioid addictions. Yet, some side effects are more specific to Dilaudid abuse. Dependency tends to look like a mixture of physical, behavioral, and psychological signs, including:
Along with the general effects of opioids, signs of hydromorphone abuse including physical symptoms such as:
- Rash
- Dizziness
- Clammy skin
- Low blood pressure
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Reduced coordination
- Mood changes
- Lack of appetite
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramping
- Muscle aches and pains
- Chest pain
- Trouble sleeping
- Drowsiness
- Restlessness
Psychological symptoms of hydromorphone abuse include:
- Short-lived euphoria
- Anxiety
- Slow cognitive processing
- Irritability
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Suicidal thoughts
- Hallucinations
Behavioral symptoms of hydromorphone abuse include:
- Taking more hydromorphone than prescribed or for longer than prescribed.
- Using hydromorphone in a way not prescribed, such as injecting or snorting them.
- Needing to use hydromorphone to get through the day.
- Continuing to use hydromorphone despite negative consequences, such as legal trouble, social issues, or job loss.
- Fixating on hydromorphone, such as spending a lot of time thinking about obtaining and using it.
- Hiding hydromorphone use from others.
Some of the more dangerous risks of Dilaudid addiction are liver failure, kidney failure, seizures, and apnea (breathing stops). In some cases, people may experience increased pressure in the brain which can be due to tumors or bleeding. Hydromorphone abuse is a life-threatening issue. It needs to be addressed early on to help prevent dangerous outcomes.
It’s challenging to recover from hydromorphone addiction on your own because the withdrawal symptoms that occur while quitting are intense. For this reason, withdrawal symptoms are big deterrents keeping people from becoming sober.
Why Is Hydromorphone Dangerous?
When individuals begin using hydromorphone, they often fail to grasp the full extent of its repercussions. The detrimental consequences of hydromorphone extend beyond the mental and physical health symptoms, wreaking havoc on every aspect of a person’s life.
Hydromorphone addiction can compel individuals to partake in risky behaviors. These may include obtaining the drug from unreliable sources or seeking out more potent substances when their supply runs low. Drug-seeking behavior not only endangers a person’s well-being but also has the potential to profoundly impact a person’s trajectory in life, leading to consequences such as:
- Homelessness
- Financial debt
- Broken family units
- Loss of trust
- Incarceration
Hydromorphone abuse can have a profound impact on every aspect of a person’s life. This potent narcotic painkiller not only alters brain function but also poses the risk of addiction. When used routinely or abused, opioids like hydromorphone can lead to tolerance, where higher doses are needed to achieve the same effects. As individuals continue to abuse hydromorphone and their tolerance increases, psychological dependence can develop, creating a belief that the drug is necessary for normal functioning.
Risk of Overdose
Hydromorphone abuse can have a profound impact on every aspect of a person’s life. This potent narcotic painkiller not only alters brain function but also poses the risk of addiction. When used routinely or abused, opioids like hydromorphone can lead to tolerance, where higher doses are needed to achieve the same effects. As individuals continue to abuse hydromorphone and their tolerance increases, psychological dependence can develop, creating a belief that the drug is necessary for normal functioning.
Following long-term hydromorphone abuse, the brain often develops a physical dependence on the drug, triggering an onslaught of withdrawal symptoms. To avoid the painful effects of opioid withdrawal, people often continue abusing hydromorphone or switch to other illicit opioids such as heroin. This dangerous behavior can put a person at a much higher risk of overdose. Hydromorphone overdose symptoms may include:
- Clammy skin
- Constricting pupils
- Inability to breathe (respiratory depression)
- Slowed or stopped heart rate
- Coma
- Death
Due to the life-threatening potential of overdose, it is crucial for those struggling with hydromorphone abuse to actively seek medical assistance. By obtaining the appropriate support, you can safely and successfully conquer your addiction to hydromorphone.
Hydromorphone Addiction Facts & Statistics
A great number of people are affected by opioid addiction from substances like Dilaudid. Over 2.1 million Americans struggle with unhealthy opioid use and more than 120,000 people die from it each year. Another key point is that hydromorphone is dangerous when abused on its own, but especially when mixed with other substances. The risks of serious medical issues heighten with adverse polysubstance abuse. Alcohol, other opioids, mood stabilizers, and even some herbal products dangerously counteract Dilaudid.
Common ways people take hydromorphone are pills, capsules, crushed powder, liquid, or tablets dissolved to create a liquid. Whether ingested or injected, hydromorphone is fast-acting. Its effects usually begin within 15 to 30 minutes and extended-release forms can last for five hours. Tablets are never meant to be chewed or crushed because Dilaudid’s impacts are felt quickly. As a result, people who consume hydromorphone in this way achieve a rapid high but risk immediate overdose. The price of illicit Dilaudid sold on the street varies depending on the location and access to it.
Hydromorphone Addiction and Mental Health Disorders
Along with feelings of relaxation and pleasure, hydromorphone also reduces feelings of stress and anxiety. For this reason, it is often used as a form of self-medication. Yet, the issue is that over time hydromorphone can exacerbate mental health issues and be the cause of worsening issues. For example, a common psychological side effect of opioid addiction is anxiety or the development of anxiety disorder. Hydromorphone abuse may also lead to depression, paranoia, hallucinations, and reduced mental capacity. Overall, opioid addiction and mental health are closely connected. People with mental illness are especially at risk of forming dependency and experiencing adverse symptoms.
Self-Assessment: Am I Addicted?
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When Do You Need Hydromorphone Addiction Treatment?
While no one begins taking opioids to become addicted, Dilaudid abuse often results in a dangerous downward spiral. Sometimes people begin taking Dilaudid through a prescription to treat severe pain symptoms. Others may use the drug to self-medicate symptoms of a mental health issue or an escape from reality. Regardless of the reason, people often think they’ll be able to stop when they need to. However, the effects of opioids on the brain are stronger than a person’s desire to quit.
- Unable to control your hydromorphone use, including taking more opioids than you intended, using opioids in ways that are not prescribed, or continuing to use opioids even though they are causing problems in your life.
- Hydromorphone use is causing problems in your life, whether this be with your job, your relationships, or your health.
- Experiencing symptoms of hydromorphone addiction and dependence.
- Withdrawal symptoms when attempting to reduce or stop taking hydromorphone.
- Overdosed on hydromorphone after taking too much of the drug.
If you identify with any symptoms of hydromorphone abuse or notice them in someone else, it is crucial to seek help promptly. Waiting or assuming you can manage it alone could be the decisive factor between life and death. For this reason, anyone battling Dilaudid addiction needs to enter recovery for their safety. Drug rehab programs offer a range of options tailored to meet your individual recovery needs.
How Long Is Hydromorphone Addiction Treatment?
Detoxification, which removes Dilaudid from the body, is the first stage of treatment. It generally lasts a week, which is relatively consistent for all opioid detox programs. From there, treatment progresses through key stages of therapy and counseling. Recovery is not merely removing drugs from the body. True sobriety is achieved through also ending hydromorphone’s mental hold over individuals. Therefore, treatment spans throughout post-detoxification recovery, which can vary in length based on the person.
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Hydromorphone Addiction Treatment Options
The treatment for hydromorphone addiction begins with detoxification to safely eliminate toxins from your system. Afterward, you can progress through various levels of care. The next step is residential inpatient treatment, where you collaborate with your clinical team and case managers to develop a personalized treatment plan. During this phase, the focus is on group and individual therapies to help you understand the underlying reasons behind your hydromorphone abuse.
Following inpatient treatment, you can transition to lower levels of care, such as partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient during aftercare. Another continuing care option is outpatient treatment which provides the least amount of restrictions. These programs offer flexibility, allowing you to either return home or reside in a sober living home. By progressing through different treatment options for hydromorphone addiction, you can receive the necessary long-term support for recovery.
Regardless of the treatment option you choose, the primary goal of hydromorphone addiction treatment is to help you identify triggers and develop the skills required to lead a healthy, sober life. If you’re seeking a comprehensive approach to hydromorphone addiction treatment, numerous resources are available to help you embark on your journey to recovery.
Hydromorphone Addiction Treatment
at Royal Life Centers
At Royal Life Centers, we believe all forms of addiction have an impact on a person’s mental, physical, and emotional health, our comprehensive care programs take a holistic approach to healing. Offering treatment that focuses on each aspect of a person’s well-being—mind, body, and spirit—our codeine addiction treatment addresses the whole person.
During treatment at Royal Life Centers at Spokane Heights, you gain access to a comprehensive range of addiction treatment programs including:
At Royal Life Centers, we believe in supporting individuals at every stage of their recovery journey. Our comprehensive continuum of care is designed to equip you with the tools and resources needed to achieve lasting sobriety. From the initial steps to the final phase of treatment, our dedicated team is here to provide exceptional care and support as you overcome alcohol and drug addiction.
If you struggle with hydromorphone addiction, please reach out to us today by calling 888-907-0898. Now is the time to get help. Our 24/7 admissions team can answer any questions you may have about our treatment for prescription opioids.
What To Expect During Treatment
at Royal Life Centers
Royal Life Centers works to provide a comfortable experience for guests so our facilities feel at home during their time with us. As such, we provide state-of-the-art centers with chef-prepared meals, cozy bedrooms, and common rooms with amenities. During programming, guests work with empathetic, highly-trained counselors who treat them as people first — not their addiction.
During inpatient treatment at Spokane Heights, we provide intensive group and individual therapy sessions to help you heal. We know early sobriety is a critical time in the recovery journey. Therefore, guests unpack the roots of their addiction and engage in trust-building and self-expression activities as part of healing.
Hydromorphone Addiction Treatment in Washington State
As a part of Royal Life Centers’ network of addiction treatment centers, Spokane Heights is our detox and inpatient treatment facility in Spokane, Washington. After completing hydromorphone addiction treatment in our inpatient programs, we also invite you to explore the array of other codeine addiction treatment options available nearby.
Our hydromorphone addiction treatment centers in Washington include:
- Royal Life Centers at Spokane Heights is our detox and inpatient treatment center in Spokane, Washington.
- Royal Life Centers at Cascade Heights is our aftercare and outpatient treatment center in Mead, Washington.
- Royal Life Centers at The Haven is our detoxification and inpatient treatment center in Lacey, Washington.
- Royal Life Centers at Sound Recovery is our aftercare and outpatient treatment center in Lacey, Washington.
- Royal Life Centers at Puget Sound is our detox and residential inpatient treatment center in Sumner, Washington.
At our center, we offer a comprehensive range of care services. This allows our guests to seamlessly transition between centers, ensuring a smooth and effective recovery journey. Throughout your treatment with us, our experienced staff will provide guidance and support in making positive lifestyle changes. In doing so, you can lead a healthier and more fulfilling life in recovery from hydromorphone addiction.
We understand that recovery is a journey, and we are here to provide support in every way possible. For more information on our treatment centers and how you can get help today, call our 24/7 admissions team at 888-907-0898.
Looking for Hydromorphone Addiction Rehab?
If you or someone you love is struggling with hydromorphone addiction, please reach out to us to find out more about how our opioid detox services can help. We work with most private insurance policies and offer affordable self-pay rates if you do not have insurance. Give us a call and we will figure out the best treatment plan for you or your loved one.
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