Hydromorphone is a powerful opioid medication prescribed to treat severe pain. While it provides relief for many battling acute or chronic pain, the potential for abuse is still ever-present. The path to hydromorphone addiction often begins innocently, with a legitimate prescription. However, using this potent drug can quickly result in tolerance and abuse.
It’s important to understand the complex nature of hydromorphone addiction – unpacking its causes, identifying its signs and symptoms, and offering hope through pathways to recovery. Understanding this condition is the first step towards reclaiming control and embarking on a road to healing.
What Is Hydromorphone?
Hydromorphone, commonly known by its brand name Dilaudid, is a semi-synthetic derivative of morphine. It is also a high-potency opioid used to relieve moderate to severe pain, and it is one of the most closely related opioids to morphine.
Hydromorphone is about five times more potent than intravenous morphine, and it is available by prescription in the following formulations:
- immediate release tablet
- extended release tablet
- injectable
- immediate release oral liquid
suppository - pre-filled syringe
All forms of hydromorphone are Schedule II drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, and most treat people who are already opioid-tolerant. The term opioid-tolerant applies to patients who are taking at least 60 mg/day of morphine for one week or longer. Comparable doses of other opioids are 25mcg/day of transdermal fentanyl, 30 mg/day of oxycodone, 8mg/day of hydromorphone, or 25mg/day of oxymorphone.
Effects of Hydromorphone
Even in patients with an established opioid tolerance, hydromorphone can cause some significant side effects. Some of the most common effects of hydromorphone include the following:
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- flushing (reddening or warming of skin)
- nausea
- vomiting
- lightheadedness
- itchiness
- anxiety
- depression
- sweating
- dry mouth
- euphoria
- insomnia
- confusion
- constipation
A common sign of opioid overdose, constricted or pinpoint pupils, is also an effect of hydromorphone.
Signs of Hydromorphone Abuse
Hydromorphone abuse is dangerous for more reasons than the fact that it is a powerful opioid. When someone abuses hydromorphone, the effects can be endless, but some of the most impactful effects include the following:
- Increased sensitivity to pain
- Developing addiction
- Drug-seeking behaviors
- Serious health complications
While the effects may vary, it can take as little as five days of abuse for someone to develop a dependency on hydromorphone. The effects of hydromorphone abuse are significant because they all contribute to the deterioration of life, stability, and health.
Once a person develops hydromorphone dependence, they will also experience withdrawal symptoms when use is abruptly stopped or drastically reduced.
Risk of Hydromorphone Overdose
As someone continues to abuse hydromorphone, the risk of overdose increases to dangerous levels. There is always a thin line between the euphoria and overdose when it comes to opioids like hydromorphone.
Many addicts who reach their desired level of euphoria also show significant signs of overdose. Some of those signs include the following common symptoms:
- Slurred speech
- Clammy skin
- Shallow breathing
- Inability to stand or maintain balance
- Low blood pressure
- Nodding off (intermittent periods of sleep and wakefulness)
- Droopy eyelids
- Heavy limbs
- Severe confusion
- Respiratory depression
- Coma
- Death
As individuals who are addicted to hydromorphone continue to abuse the drug and look for new ways to achieve a higher high, the risks of a deadly overdose from hydrocodone, or other opioid drugs like illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) are significantly increased. This is because people often turn to street drugs if their prescription runs out.
The risk of a fatal overdose is high with any opioid, but significantly increased with one like hydromorphone, especially when it is combined with other CNS (central nervous system) depressants like other opioid painkillers, heroin, alcohol, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates. Combining opioids like hydromorphone with other sedative medications increases the risk of respiratory depression and death.
The cause of deadly opioid overdose is respiratory failure resulting from respiratory depression, and all depressant drugs cause respiratory depression in varying degrees.
Hydromorphone Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms are the most dreadful experiences many hydromorphone addicts experience. Hydromorphone withdrawal is a series of painful and uncomfortable symptoms that can begin as soon as 4 to 6 hours after the last use. Withdrawal symptoms are not life-threatening, but they are extremely difficult to endure, and are often the leading factor in relapse among addicts.
Withdrawal from hydromorphone can range from moderate to severe and includes the following symptoms:
- Depression
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Sweating
- Clammy skin
- Chills
- High fever
- Muscle and joint pain
- Abdominal pain
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- High blood pressure
- Rapid heart rate
- Intense cravings
Enduring hydromorphone withdrawal is grueling and may last for up to two weeks, depending on the individual circumstances.
As time passes, some psychological symptoms can linger for several weeks or months, depending on the length and severity of hydromorphone and opioid abuse. Known as post-acute withdrawal symptoms, these lingering effects may include:
- Anhedonia
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Intense cravings
Need Help For Hydromorphone Addiction?
Our admissions team is available around the clock to help you or a loved one get the help you need.
Hydromorphone Addiction Treatment
Hydromorphone is just one of dozens of formulations of opioids commonly abused and frequently leading addicts to more dangerous drugs like heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Despite the vast pervasiveness of hydromorphone and opioid abuse, there is help, and recovery is possible.
Hydromorphone addiction treatment will start with a medical opioid detox. This is the most common method of enduring withdrawal from hydromorphone, and utilizes medications to moderate severe symptoms like high blood pressure, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, anxiety, and insomnia. Although some symptoms cannot be eliminated, medical detox does help people remain comfortable during the process and provides essential support offered by medical staff.
After detox, the process of recovery requires a life-long commitment that can be much more effective with the tools and skills provided by a comprehensive drug rehab program.
Hydromorphone addiction treatment aims to give addicts valuable resources to prevent relapse and live a full and healthy life while eliminating destructive and addictive behaviors. Some of the tools and resources offered in addiction treatment include:
- Triggers for Relapse
- Coping Skills
- Family Counseling
- Learning Healthy Habits
- Nutritional Education
- Sobriety Resources
- Recovery and Aftercare Planning
Hydromorphone and all other opioids create numerous challenges in the lives of addicts and their families, but the destruction does not have to continue. With time, support, and a personalized program to address your specific needs and challenges, you can overcome the vicious cycle of addiction.
Call us 24 hours a day for a confidential assessment and more information on how we can help you with an individualized addiction treatment program to reclaim your life, and live free from the grips of addiction.
Does Insurance Cover Rehab For Hydromorphone?
One of the most-asked questions when it comes to treating drug addiction is whether or not insurance will cover the cost of treatment. If you’re wondering how to pay for rehab, the good news is that insurance can cover part or all of the cost of treatment. All insurance providers and policies are different, but a free insurance verification with the team at Vogue Recovery Center can offer more information about what treatment options for substance abuse and mental health issues you have available based on your policy.
If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction the hallucinogens or psychedelics, don’t hesitate to contact the admissions team at Vogue Recovery Center. We can help you get started with your recovery journey!
Get Help For Hydromorphone Addiction
If you’re battling hydromorphone addiction or struggling with opioid abuse, professional help can be a vital step toward recovery. A comprehensive drug rehabilitation program offers the tools and support needed to uncover the root causes of addiction and build a healthy, drug-free future.
At Vogue Recovery Center, experienced professionals will guide you through evidence-based therapies, creating a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. You’ll learn to develop healthier coping strategies, identify and manage triggers, and work toward lasting recovery. Remember, you don’t have to face this journey alone. With the right support, you can heal mentally, physically, and spiritually, reclaiming the life you deserve.
Medically Reviewed by Kelsey Jones, MS, LPC
