Your Guide to Dilaudid Withdrawal

Dilaudid is a brand name for the drug hydromorphone, a synthetic opioid. It is a painkiller used for moderate to severe pain. The drug contains the same chemical structure as morphine, which means it affects the brain and central nervous system in the same way as its parent drug. This makes it suitable for treating chronic pain as well as severe pain during childbirth and while undergoing surgery.

Dilaudid is available in several forms, including tablets, injections, and suppositories. The drug can be taken by mouth or applied to the skin. Dilaudid is also available as a transdermal patch and as a sublingual tablet. The tablets are usually sold in 2mg doses, while the other forms of the drug are sold in 10mg doses. The oral transdermal patch is usually used to treat chronic pain, while the sublingual tablet relieves severe pain while undergoing surgery. When used as prescribed, the drug is highly beneficial to those who need it, but it also comes with a high risk of addiction when abused.

What to Expect

When a person has been using Dilaudid over a significant period, they are often guided to stop using the drug gradually to avoid symptoms of withdrawal. This tapering period is conducted under medical supervision. If a person has developed an addiction to Dilaudid, however, they are often using the drug illicitly and are subject to experiencing withdrawal when they can’t get the drug.

Dilaudid Withdrawal Symptoms

When a person stops using Dilaudid, they may experience several withdrawal symptoms. These are the Dilaudid withdrawal symptoms you are likely to experience.

Restlessness

The symptoms of restlessness are often the first signs that you are going through withdrawal. When that happens, you may feel unable to sit still or have difficulty sleeping. You may also develop extremely high or low blood pressure and tremors in your hands and body.

Diarrhea

When you stop using Dilaudid, you’re likely to experience diarrhea. The symptoms of this condition typically begin within a day or so of stopping the drug. They often start with stomach cramps and can be accompanied by vomiting.

Vomiting

Vomiting is another common symptom of withdrawal from Dilaudid. It happens as a response to the drug leaving the body. This symptom is usually experienced within 24 hours after stopping the drug. You may vomit up any food you try to eat during this period.

Constipation

Another withdrawal symptom that you may experience when you stop using Dilaudid is constipation. When you stop taking the drug, your stool becomes hard and dry and remains in your body. This can make it difficult for you to get out of bed in the morning and cause serious health problems.

Anxiety

Anxiety refers to unease, nervousness, and other similar emotions that you are likely to experience when you stop using Dilaudid. This is an extremely common side effect of this drug, so it is important to consult a doctor if you experience it.

Depression

Dysphoria is another side effect of opioid withdrawal, and it can cause severe depression. The word dysphoria refers to a general feeling of unhappiness and unease, which you might experience when you stop using Dilaudid. If you are experiencing dysphoria, you are likely to feel sad, apathetic, depressed, and lethargic. Some people get so depressed that they become suicidal.

Insomnia

When you stop taking Dilaudid, you may develop insomnia. This means that you will have trouble getting to sleep no matter how hard you try. You may also wake up in the middle of the night and find it difficult to get back to sleep.

Muscle Aches

When you stop taking Dilaudid, you may develop tight and sore muscles. This is because your body will be trying to readjust to the chemicals it no longer has access to. Some people feel as though their bones are aching as well.

Irritability

Irritability is a very common symptom of withdrawal. When you stop taking Dilaudid, you may find yourself lashing out at others and losing your temper quickly.

Dilaudid Withdrawal Timeline

The length of time it takes for someone to fully go through withdrawal from Dilaudid depends on how long they have used the drug and how much they were taking. A person’s physical health and age are also factors. If you have been using Dilaudid for a significant period, you might need more than one week to start feeling better. While no one timeline applies to everyone, the following provides an overview of what to expect as you withdraw from Dilaudid use.

Day 1

On the first day of withdrawal, you may experience cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sweating. These physical symptoms often get worse as the day goes on. The first day is also typically filled with frustration, anxiety, and intense cravings for the drug. These symptoms are all very common with opioid withdrawal.

Day 2

On the second day of withdrawal, you can experience symptoms similar to those experienced on the first day of withdrawal, only they are more intense and last longer. Those with a severe addiction are typically quite sick at this point. Additional symptoms include fatigue, chills, and muscle aches. Many people also experience a rapid heart rate and a rise in blood pressure.

Day 3

Symptoms of Dilaudid detox and withdrawal are typically at their worst between 48 and 72 hours after your last dose. By the end of day three, the symptoms of nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting will usually start subsiding, and most people start feeling better and more able to participate in regular activities. Of course, this depends on the individual and their level of drug use. It’s possible that you will continue to experience significant physical symptoms for several more days.

Day 4 and Beyond

While most people are feeling much better physically at this point, fatigue, depression and/or anxiety, and craving for opioids are likely still strong. It is also important to mention that you may continue to experience lingering symptoms of fatigue and chronic pain that last longer than 10 days. Depression, irritability, and an inability to concentrate may also linger for weeks or even months after you stop using a drug like Dilaudid. These symptoms are part of a condition known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome, which can be managed with medication and the proper support.

Dilaudid Detox and Treatment

As you can see, the symptoms of Dilaudid withdrawal can be intense and very uncomfortable. Because of this, many people who attempt to quit on their own are driven to start using again to relieve their symptoms. Withdrawal can also cause life-threatening symptoms in some people with severe substance use disorder. That’s why seeking professional help is always advised. Fortunately, a number of options are available to help you manage withdrawal symptoms and get on the road to recovery.

Detox

If you have been using Dilaudid long enough to develop a physical addiction, medically supervised detox is highly recommended. In a facility offering detox services, you will be able to go through opioid withdrawal under the careful eyes of medical professionals and addiction specialists. Medications can be administered to help relieve your symptoms and make you more comfortable. Doctors and nurses will also monitor your vital signs to help you avoid any dangerous symptoms.

In addition to ridding the body of Dilaudid, the medical detox process is designed to prevent relapse. By receiving assistance throughout the most difficult parts of withdrawal, you will be less likely to return to Dilaudid to ease your symptoms. During the detox process, you will also receive education about relapse and be connected to other patients and treatment options that can help you as you continue to get better.

Treatment After Withdrawal

While detox and withdrawal are difficult, they are just the first step to overcoming your substance use disorder. To avoid resuming Dilaudid use, it is necessary to receive ongoing treatment after withdrawing from the drug. If you detoxed with a help of a facility offering additional treatments, you will likely transition to programs offered there. If not, you can reach out to another rehab program.

When it comes to treatment for Dilaudid addiction, you will have the option of taking part in inpatient or outpatient treatment. Inpatient treatment is the best option if you have a severe substance use disorder, as it removes you from the people, environment, and situations associated with your drug use. While the length of stay differs on a case-by-case basis, most inpatient treatment programs last at least 30 days. However, research has shown that an inpatient treatment program lasting 90 days leads to better outcomes for many patients. Your treatment provider can guide you as to the appropriate length of treatment for you.

If your addiction is less severe, or you have a personal situation that doesn’t allow you to participate in an inpatient program, outpatient treatment is a great option. Many people also opt for outpatient treatment after completing an inpatient program. Depending on your program, you may attend outpatient treatment for several hours a day or just a few hours a week. This allows you to keep up with work, school, or family obligations while you work on your recovery.

In both inpatient and outpatient treatment, you will take part in individual and group therapy sessions to help identify the root cause of your addiction. Treatment modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy will help you see how unhelpful ways of thinking and learned patterns of behavior have led to your substance use disorder. Working with others in group therapy will help you see that you are not alone in your experiences and give you the chance to build a support system of other people who understand your situation.

Along with taking part in a treatment program, you may want to find a support group within your community. A 12-step program like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) can be a great resource. NA meetings allow you to continue building on the lessons you learned in treatment. They also provide an additional support structure that holds you accountable for your recovery.

Get Help Today

If you or a loved one has an addiction to Dilaudid and is facing withdrawal, you don’t have to go through it alone. While drug withdrawal and recovery can be difficult, many resources are available to you. For long-term sobriety, it’s important to reach out to a local treatment provider that can help you or your loved one through the withdrawal process and get you into a recovery program that meets your unique needs.