Hydromorphone
From Drug Rehab Wiki
Hydromorphone is the generic medication that is often sold under such brand names as Dilaudid, Dilaudid-5, Dilaudid-HP, Hydrostat IR, Hydromorph Contin, Palladone and Palladone SR. Hydromorphone is part of a group of drugs known as narcotic pain relievers or opioids that are similar to morphine.
This particular mediation is generally used to treat moderate to severe pain and is known to have two to eight times the painkilling effects of morphine. When sold under the brand Dilaudid – or least known under this brand – there are a number of street names for hydromorphone, including Dust, Juice, Smack, D and Footballs.
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Abuses of Hydromorphone
Authorities continue to report that the diversion and abuse of hydromorphone is increasing. This drug is considered to have a moderately high dependency level. Addiction to or dependence on hydromorphone is known to occur when it is used for longer than a few weeks or at high doses. Tolerance can develop in patients who need to take more of the drug to feel the same effect. The addiction, if developed, can be both physical and psychological.
Hydromorphone is readily abused as it delivers a high euphoric intravenous rush that is very similar to the rush one experiences with heroin. It is not uncommon for heroin addicts to use hydromorphone when heroin is unavailable. Hydromorphone is one of the most prescribed opioids to treat the relief of pain for the terminally ill due to its high potency, while it also presents an attractive rush for those seeking a fix.
Effects of Hydromorphone
Hydromorphone can create effects that are very similar to morphine, although the euphoria has been reported as closer to that of codeine. Some patients can experience nausea and vomiting, although this is considered rare. Sedation with the use of hydromorphone is practically non-existent.
Hydromorphone delivered intravenously produces an analgesic action that is apparent within 15 minutes and can remain in effect for more than five hours. When the drug is taken orally, the onset of action is somewhat slower as measurable analgesia occurs within 30 minutes.
Certain effects can emerge with negative consequences when hydromorphone is taken, including anorexia, anxiety, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, fear, impairment of mental and physical performance, inability to urinate, mental clouding, mood changes, nausea, restlessness, sedation, somnolence, sluggishness, troubled and slowed breathing and vomiting.
Withdrawal of Hydromorphone
Hydromorphone and its brand name versions are known to cause patients with dependencies agonizing withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can easily lead many to continue taking the drug, even if they no longer desire the high or euphoria they once achieved. The withdrawal process can be both hard and painful and can even cause serious damage to internal organs, especially if cessation is unsupervised.
Withdrawal symptoms associated with cessation of hydromorphone can include, but are not limited to:
• Abnormal skin sensations
• Aches and pains
• Anxiety
• Cold- or flu-like conditions
• Diarrhea
• Goose bumps
• Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Loss of appetite
• Mood swings
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain
• Rigid muscles
• Rigors (fever chills), tremors, shivers
• Sleep difficulties
• Sneezing
• Sweating
• Upper respiratory problems
Treatment of Hydromorphone Addiction
Hydromorphone can create very traumatic withdrawal symptoms and therefore, it is recommended that users taper off the medication slowly under the care of a board-certified physician and board-certified addiction psychiatrist. Entering a detox center for 24/7 treatment that includes a comfortable detox method will ensure the individual rids their body of the drug completely and can learn to function without the drug.
A quality treatment center will do a full physical on a patient to determine the right medications for this method. The aim is to correct the chemical imbalances in the individual suffering with a hydromorphone addiction and should be combined with psychological evaluations and other medical care to address cravings for the drug. With this method, the center can treat the whole person and not just the addiction.
