Dilaudid Detox, Side Effects, Withdrawal, Sign and Symptons of Addiction

Inpatient medical detox and residential primary addiction treatment may be available at our affiliated facility at Level Up Treatment West Palm Beach. For some primary behavioral health treatment clients, medical detox may be required first. If you have a co-occurring severe substance abuse diagnosis, please contact us prior to beginning inpatient mental health therapy. Treatment services may vary. Please call us to learn which treatment options are most suited for your individual needs.


Dilaudid is the brand name of the generic drug hydromorphone. It is a Schedule II drug and a narcotic painkiller that is prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. Moreover, these drugs can cause physical dependence. This means that a person relies on the drug to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Over time, more of the drug is needed for the same effect. This is called drug tolerance. When the person stops taking the drugs, the body needs time to recover. This causes withdrawal symptoms and can cause dangerous complications, such as vomiting. Dilaudid detox from a trusted treatment facility can prevent these outcomes and provide immediate care if complications arise.

According to the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) [1], Dilaudid has been reported as being abused by crushing, chewing, snorting, or injecting the dissolved product. These practices pose a significant risk to the abuser that could result in overdose or death. In addition, it may be expected to have additive effects when used in conjunction with alcohol, other opioids, or illicit drugs that cause central nervous system depression.

Signs And Symptoms of Dilaudid Addiction

Using Dilaudid for any period of time can be habit-forming and dangerous, especially if it is taken with other drugs or alcohol. Unfortunately, painkillers like Dilaudid are the most abused drugs in the United States after marijuana and hashish. Also, because it being easily accessible, it has become a popular drug for recreational use.

It can sometimes be difficult for an individual to realize he or she has become dependent on this drug. As a result, addiction may develop after being prescribed the medication by a doctor. Also, if you are concerned that you or a loved one may be addicted to Dilaudid, look for the following common signs and symptoms of Dilaudid addiction:

  • Mood swings, ranging from euphoric highs to depressive and irritable lows
  • Noticeable breathing problems
  • Itching/scratching
  • Excessive sweating
  • Taking laxatives to help with constipation (a common opioid side effect)
  • Poor coordination
  • Nodding off (momentary lapses in consciousness; difficulty staying awake and alert)
  • Development of tolerance (needing more of the drug to achieve the same effect)
  • Withdrawal symptoms that appear when use is stopped (nausea & vomiting, stomach cramps, muscle aches, sweating,cold chills, appetite loss, diarrhea, insomnia, etc.)

Many people addicted to this drug may “doctor shop” for new prescriptions, visiting several doctors with complaints of chronic pain.  

Personality and Lifestyle Changes Indicative of Dilaudid Abuse

  • Becoming obsessed with the next dose
  • Spending excessive amounts of money on the drug
  • Failing to keep up with responsibilities such as school and work
  • Needing larger doses of Dilaudid to feel the high
  • Neglecting friends and family in favor of drug use
  • Stealing from medicine cabinets
  • Forging prescriptions for Dilaudid
  • Buying  Dilaudid online or off the street

Serious Complications of Dilaudid Abuse Include:

  • Stroke
  • Coma
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Collapsed veins
  • Stomach pain
  • Convulsions
  • Heart attack
  • Trouble breathing
  • Death

Effects Of Dilaudid Abuse

There are a number of potential side effects of Dilaudid, which may increase in severity with higher doses. These include:

  • Headache
  • Pinpoint pupils
  • Stomach cramps
  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Muscle aches and pains
  • Dry mouth
  • Appetite loss
  • Dizziness/lightheadedness
  • Drowsiness
  • Anxiety
  • Itchiness
  • Rash
  • Hoarse voice
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Blood pressure changes
  • Slowed breathing
  • Seizures

Dilaudid Overdose

Overdose from this drug can be fatal, especially for a person using the medicine without a prescription.  An overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine. Hence, this can be done by accident or on purpose.

Possible symptoms of Dilaudid overdose include:

  • Bluish-colored fingernails and lips
  • Breathing problems, including slow and labored breathing, shallow breathing, or no breathing
  • Cold, clammy skin
  • Low body temperature
  • Coma
  • Confusion
  • Constipation
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Fatigue
  • Flushing of the skin
  • Itching
  • Lightheadedness
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Low blood pressure
  • Muscle twitches
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Pinpoint pupils
  • Spasms of the stomach and intestines
  • Weakness
  • Weak pulse
Dilaudid Detox
Dilaudid Detox: Don’t wait another day to get the help you or a loved one needs.

When Dilaudid is used with a stimulant, like cocaine, it can cause strange and unpredictable side effects. When stimulants and depressants are mixed they can have a masking effect, because the effects of each drug oppose the effects of the other.

Individuals who mix Dilaudid with other substances also increase the risk of negative side effects. When Dilaudid is mixed with another depressant, it can quickly cause the respiratory system to become so suppressed that it becomes impossible for the individual to breathe.

Dilaudid Withdrawal

It is never advisable to discontinue Dilaudid without medical supervision. Withdrawal from Dilaudid treatment can cause dangerous complications, such as vomiting. Doctors can prevent these outcomes and provide immediate care if complications arise. Moreover, a person using Dilaudid, even for rightful reasons, can become dependent on the drug in as short as two or three weeks.

Common withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Muscle and bone pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Restlessness
  • Tremors
  • Intense drug cravings
  • Body cramps
  • Sweats
  • Shaking
  • Vomiting
  • Anxiety
  • Agitation

Dilaudid Withdrawal Timeline

Initial Onset

The user experiences the initial symptoms of withdrawal just hours after the last dose of Dilaudid. Initial symptoms may include restlessness and anxiety.

Days 1-2

Symptoms peak somewhere after the first 14 hours of stopping. Users may start experiencing symptoms such as nausea, shaking, muscle aches, chills, and sweating.

Days 3-4

For most people, the most intense symptoms of withdrawal fade after the third or fourth day. Users may have faint symptoms such as nausea and aching muscles.

Days 5-14

Depending on the severity of the Dilaudid addiction, remaining symptoms such as insomnia, depression, anxiety, and irritability may still be present.

Dilaudid Detox

It is important to us to be transparent about the topic of detox. It will not be an easy process. A person will likely experience many different side effects from their drug use. These side effects may be emotional, physical, or mental. Someone in withdrawal will likely experience many uncomfortable feelings and negative thoughts about life during the process of detox. Unfortunately for those with dependency, detox is an unavoidable first step to recovery

Please, do not try to detox on your own. The Dilaudid detox process can be painful and difficult without medical assistance. Getting through the detox process is crucial for continued treatment.

Here at We Level Up Florida, we provide proper care with round-the-clock physicians available to medically assist your recovery. Reclaim your life, call us to speak with one of our treatment specialists. Our counselors know what you are going through and will answer any of your questions. 

We Level FL Mental Health Center: Primary Mental Health Treatment with Secondary Co-Occurring Treatment

We Level Up FL primary mental health center stands ready to help. Offering secondary treatment therapy for underlying problems like Dilaudid Addiction often fuels negative behaviors. Taking that first step to getting the help you deserve can be life-changing.

We understand how behavioral disorders and secondary co-occurring addiction diagnoses directly impact each other. We Level Up Florida can instill a support system through our mental health treatments that can make you feel valuable. Call us now for a free mental health assessment! Inpatient medical detox and residential primary addiction treatment may be available at our affiliated facility at Level Up Treatment West Palm Beach.

Sources

[1] FDA – https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/019892s015lbl.pdf