12 Keys’ Dilaudid addiction treatment center in Florida
Addiction is something that might be difficult to fully understand, particularly if it’s your first encounter with the disease. When you’re caught up in an addiction cycle, life often feels empty and frightening. You may even feel like things are spiraling out of control. This is the reality for many people who are addicted to substances, including Dilaudid. This article aims to help you learn about the Dilaudid drug class, addiction and to empower you to get help for your dependence at a Dilaudid addiction treatment center in Florida.

Often, you may begin to take Dilaudid as prescribed by your doctor for pain relief purposes. However, like other opioid painkillers, when taking the drug, you run the real risk of addiction, and you may become dependent on — or even to addicted to — Dilaudid over time.
Addiction is devastating. It causes negative effects on your emotional, social, mental and physical wellbeing. However, it doesn’t have to be the end. There is hope for recovery, no matter how hopeless you may feel your situation is. Here at 12 Keys’ Dilaudid addiction treatment center in Florida, we offer you that hope and help.
If you or a loved one is looking for help and enlightenment on the Dilaudid drug class or addiction, please take the time to continue reading to learn about the Dilaudid addiction facts and recovery information you need to know.
What Is the Dilaudid Drug Class?
Dilaudid is derived from morphine, and it’s a member of the opioid class of drugs as well as a narcotic. When needed for moderate to severe pain relief, your doctor may prescribe Dilaudid. Its effects begin within 15 minutes of taking the drug and can last as long as six hours. Help is available 24/7 call our Dilaudid addiction rehab center in Florida for a free personal consultation 800-338-5770.
Dilaudid, which is the trade name of hydromorphone, has different names on the street. You might hear:
- Super 8
- Dillies
- Big D
- Ds
- Hydro
- Hydromorph
- Shake and Bake
- M-80s
- Moose
- Dust
- Footballs
- Juice
- Smack
- Peaches
Dilaudid is also known under the additional brand names:
- Dilaudid-HP
- Dilaudid-5
- Exalgo
- Hydromorph Contin
- Hydrostat IR
- Palladone
What Is The Dilaudid Drug Class Used To Treat?
Dilaudid might be prescribed for moderate to severe pain relief. It’s often given for treating cancer, burns, heart attacks, dental pain, migraines as well as bone or soft tissue injuries. The most commonly abused forms of the drug are either timed-release or instant-release capsules, although the drug is also available as an oral liquid, rectal suppositories, and injectable formulations.
Dilaudid tablets have a starting dose of 2 to 4 mg, and they are prescribed to be taken every four to six hours. The usual adult dosage of the oral liquid is 2.5 mg to 10 mg every three to six hours, and these oral doses can often be higher than the usual recommended dosage.
Are There Common Drugs Paired With Dilaudid?
Often, if you’ve developed a dependence on or an addiction to Dilaudid, you may also take other opioid painkillers when you can’t get enough of your usual drug. Drinking alcohol is common when you’re suffering from a hydromorphone addiction — and it is also very dangerous, as fatal side effects can occur.
Key Statistics About The Abuse and Addiction To Dilaudid
Now you know a little more about the drug, let’s take a look at some of the key statistics relating to Dilaudid:
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- As a Schedule II drug, the Dilaudid drug class has a high risk of abuse, and it can potentially lead to extreme physical or psychological dependence. For this reason, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has classified it as a dangerous drug.
- According to the DEA, the total number of dispensed prescriptions for the drug in the U.S. in 2012 was 3.9 million.
- The DEA also stated that the aggregate production quota for the drug for legitimate needs throughout the population went up from 3,340 kilograms in 2009 to 5,968.75 kilograms in 2013.
- The DEA says that the street price of a 4 mg tablet of Dilaudid costs between $5 and $100.
Is There a Connection Between Dilaudid And The Rise In Heroin Abuse?
From 1996 to 2000, hospital admissions for opiate-related illnesses tripled. Additionally, hydrocodone, the drug that’s found in Dilaudid, has also caused a huge increase in ER visits, according to Maine.gov. Add this to the fact that daytime pharmacy hold-ups are on the rise due to addicted individuals trying to get their hands on drugs like Dilaudid, and it’s clear that the drug is in incredible demand.
With this in mind, it stands to reason that if you’re desperate and can’t get your fix of Dilaudid, moving on to heroin can be an “easier” choice as it’s readily available on the streets.
Why Do So Many People Turn To Dilaudid?
Often, you or your loved one may be prescribed medication in the Dilaudid drug class to treat the pain you’re suffering, although in some rare cases it’s used to treat dry, hacking coughs. The drug is generally given for the relief of severe short-term pain as it’s an extremely powerful pain-relieving medication.
Because of its powerful effects as well as the euphoria it creates when the drug is taken, Dilaudid has become popular with illicit drug users, in addition to people who’ve been genuinely prescribed it. Both groups have consequently become reliant upon and then addicted to the drug.
There are also often many underlying reasons why you might turn to Dilaudid to get through your days. These include:
- Self-medication. Whether you are experiencing a mental illness or are trying to block out trauma from your mind, often, you may find that the high you experience from taking Dilaudid is something you think is helping to ease your suffering.
- Peer pressure. Perhaps you have a friend or family member taking Dilaudid, and you feel pressured to try it too. When you’re in an environment where drug use is the norm, you may feel taking Dilaudid is something that sounds like a good idea.
- Boredom. If you feel that life is boring and doesn’t have much to offer you, you might try the drug to experience something new to find a way of escaping what you see as a mundane existence.
- Stress relief. If you’ve been feeling stressed, you might turn to taking Dilaudid as a means of relaxation. Before you know it, you have become dependent or even addicted to Dilaudid.
There are many reasons you might turn to Dilaudid. If you feel you’re experiencing an issue as a result of taking Dilaudid, know that through detox, treatment, and aftercare, we can help you at our Dilaudid addiction treatment center in Florida.
What Are The Typical Demographics of a Dilaudid Addict?
Often, if you experience some of the painful conditions mentioned earlier, your doctor will have prescribed Dilaudid to you. However, you may have found that you can’t stop taking the Dilaudid once you’ve gotten used to it being in your system. The risk of addiction and abuse of the drug is very high due to its potency. This, along with the fact it can be readily found on the street, is why it is often taken illicitly.
With this in mind, if you’ve been taking other drugs that work in similar ways, such as heroin, you may find the lure of hydromorphone is something that’s very strong and difficult to resist. Help is available 24/7 call our Dilaudid addiction rehab center in Florida for a free personal consultation 800-338-5770.
What Does Dilaudid Have In It?
Hydromorphone is available as both immediate-release and extended-release tablets, injections, rectal suppository and as an oral liquid. For example, its various forms and dosages include:
- Dilaudid immediate-release tablets – Available in 2, 4, and 8 mg strengths.
- Exalgo extended-release tablets – Available in 8, 12, 16, and 32mg strengths.
- Dilaudid injectable solution – Available in 1, 2, and 4 mg/ml strengths.
- Dilaudid-HP high potency injections – Available in 10 mg/ml solution, and 250mg powder for solution.
- Dilaudid oral solution – Available in 5 mg/ml strength.
- Dilaudid rectal suppository – Available in 3 mg strength.
- •Dilaudid prefilled syringe – Available in 0.2 and 0.6 mg/ml strengths.
One teaspoon (5 mL) dose of oral liquid Dilaudid, for example, contains five milligrams of hydromorphone hydrochloride and traces of sodium metabisulfite. Other ingredients include glycerin, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, purified water and sucrose.
While the injection form is available in a regular-strength solution, you should know that the concentrated injection solution of Dilaudid contains more of the drug.
When taking Dilaudid, you should always take it exactly as your doctor has prescribed and follow the directions printed on your prescription label. Not taking the drug in the prescribed manner or taking it illicitly can slow, and even stop your breathing, particularly when you first begin using the medicine or when your dose is changed.
For this reason, you should never use the drug in larger doses or for longer than has been prescribed by your doctor. Misuse of narcotic pain relievers can easily result in dependency, addiction, Dilaudid overdose symptoms, and even death.
If you are taking the liquid medicine form, you should carefully measure it with a medicine cup or a dose-measuring device. You can get these from your pharmacist.
When taking the drug in tablet form, you should never break or crush a tablet to mix it into a liquid to inject it or to inhale the powder. Taking the drug in this way gives you a quicker rush than simply taking a whole tablet. Breaking the pill makes it absorb into your body more rapidly, and this can potentially result in death.
The Dilaudid drug class is very dangerous when not used correctly. If you feel that you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, it’s imperative to seek help and get into addiction recovery here at 12 Keys’ Dilaudid addiction treatment center in Florida as soon as possible.
What Does Dilaudid Do To The Brain?
Dilaudid is a semi-synthetic narcotic medication that’s similar in many ways to morphine, although it is considerably stronger. Like other opium-derived drugs, Dilaudid makes you feel euphoric and relaxed when you take it. The half-life for an intravenous dose of hydromorphone is 2.3 hours, so the high can last up to four or perhaps five hours. It’s considered a short-acting narcotic.
Is Dilaudid addictive? The answer is yes. The drug changes your brain chemistry, blocking pain receptors and inducing numbness. This is one of the reasons people who are looking to escape reality may use it.
You see, your brain quickly adapts to having Dilaudid in its system and produces more endorphins to counteract it. Because of this, you’ll find if you’re using Dilaudid, you need to keep upping your dose to stay on top of the way your body is naturally adjusting.
How Addictive Is Dilaudid?
As you may have realized by now, the Dilaudid drug class is extremely addictive. It should only ever be used under medical supervision. When you use Dilaudid, you tend to rapidly develop a tolerance for the drug. You find that to achieve the same level of high, you either need to find a new method of delivering it into your system or you need to take higher quantities of the drug.

This leads to both psychological and physical dependencies. You realize that you experience a range of unpleasant Dilaudid addiction symptoms, including panic and anxiety attacks, when the drug starts to become less effective in your system.
If you or a loved one are abnormally preoccupied with obtaining the drug, are taking it more frequently than has been prescribed or are getting the drug by illegal means, you have a Dilaudid addiction issue and need to contact our specialists here at our Dilaudid addiction treatment center in Florida.
What Are The Signs of a Dilaudid Drug Addiction?
Some of the many signs of addiction to Dilaudid include:
- Using the drug in ways that it hasn’t been prescribed.
- Taking the drug to achieve a high, rather than for pain relief.
- Needing more and more of the drug to obtain the same effects.
- Forging prescriptions for the drug.
- Hiding your use from friends and family.
- Visiting multiple doctors (doctor shopping) to obtain prescriptions.
- Neglecting commitments, such as work, due to your drug use.
- Missing out on hobbies and activities due to your drugs use.
- Losing interest in your personal hygiene or appearance.
- Feeling your drug use is controlling you.
- Thinking constantly of the drug.
- Craving the drug uncontrollably.
What Are the Symptoms of a Dilaudid Drug Addiction?
When you are addicted to Dilaudid and have to go a period of time without the drug, you will likely experience the following withdrawal symptoms:
- Excessive sweating
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Runny nose
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Urinary retention
- Insomnia
- Frequent mood swings
- Appetite loss
- Breathing problems
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Rash
- Changes in heart rate
- Changes in blood pressure
- Weight loss
- Suicidal tendencies
- Psychotic disorders
- Panic
- Depression
- Anxiety
What Is a Dilaudid Addiction Like?
As with any addiction, when you are addicted to Dilaudid, your world can be a very lonely place. As you spiral downward, psychological and physical drug cravings become the whole focus of your every waking moment. In addition, you lose all motivation to do anything you once enjoyed. You end up devoting most or all of your free time to seeking out and getting your next high. Money also becomes an issue, and you may even turn to crime to fund your Dilaudid habit.
You may engage in various forms of destructive behavior, such as buying Dilaudid illegally and lying to doctors to obtain more of the drug. You may also begin using other drugs or alcohol to prolong or intensify the effects of Dilaudid. Help is available 24/7 call our Dilaudid addiction rehab center in Florida for a free personal consultation 800-338-5770.
Addiction is a terrifying disease, and as its severity increases, the control of your life will significantly decrease. You might find that you can’t keep your job or maintain your relationships. People who once depended on you may give up relying on you as they once did. Your family and friends are replaced by isolation and the company of other drug abusers, so you can enjoy your drug habit in peace — and without judgment.
Tolerance to the Dilaudid drug class causes users to seek out different ways of taking the drug to get a better high. If you began by taking the pills orally, you may find over time that you’re snorting crushed up tablets.
From there, when snorting no longer makes you feel good, you may move on to intravenous injections, as these deliver the most effective rush and use the smallest amount of Dilaudid to do so. Of course, using drugs intravenously brings about even more health risks, like infections such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV, as well as an increased risk of overdose and death.
If you recognize these signs in yourself or a loved one, professional treatment is needed without delay to get you on the path back to health and happiness. Call our discreet and professional team here at 12 Keys’ Dilaudid addiction treatment center in Florida today toll-free at 800-338-5770 to find out about your Dilaudid addiction treatment options.
Does a Dilaudid Drug Addiction Cause Any Permanent Damage?
As we found out previously, the Dilaudid drug class can cause a range of unpleasant general symptoms. In addition to these, there are long-term effects of Dilaudid, including respiratory depression, potentially leading to fatal consequences.
Also, when you use hydromorphone in combination with other illicit drugs, it can damage your heart, which can also be fatal.
Liver and Other Organ Damage From Dilaudid
Because Dilaudid is extensively metabolized in the liver, if it’s taken with alcohol, you run the risk of serious liver damage. In addition, when you take the drug along with illicit drugs, such as other types of morphine, opiates, and barbiturates, your liver can suffer serious physical damage, which can ultimately lead to death.
Overdoses of Dilaudid can cause acute liver injury, potentially leading to acute liver toxicity and early onset of hepatic failure. These complications can worsen if Dilaudid is taken with acetaminophen, during several days of malnutrition or when taken in conjunction with alcohol.
How Long Does It Take to Withdraw From Dilaudid?
The Dilaudid withdrawal duration varies slightly among users. Often called detox, Dilaudid withdrawal lasts for around three to five days. After your withdrawal symptoms have passed, you begin an intensive program that will last for a month or longer.
Once your Dilaudid addiction treatment detox team is satisfied you are no longer suffering from withdrawal discomfort, you’re able to move on to counseling and behavioral therapy. This stage of your journey to health begins with an in-depth assessment into what triggered you to take Dilaudid in the first place, as well as what pressures kept addicted. You’ll then learn how to respond to your triggers in a healthy way, so you can effectively avoid relapse in the future.
What Are The Stages of Dilaudid Withdrawal?
Symptoms of Dilaudid withdrawal are difficult to contend with and are even dangerous when doing so alone. In fact, one of the greatest challenges you can ever face when recovering from Dilaudid addiction is managing the withdrawal process. You should know that there are early, late and post-withdrawal stages.
1. Early Withdrawal
As early as six to 12 hours after taking your final dose of Dilaudid, it’s normal to experience symptoms as your system begins to cleanse itself of the drug. These include:
- Watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Frequent yawning
- Sweating
- Muscle pain
- Anxiety
- Difficulty sleeping
This stage of withdrawal can last for 24 hours or more and is also accompanied by restlessness, anxiety and strong cravings for Dilaudid.
2. Late Withdrawal
During the late withdrawal stage, your symptoms become more pronounced and uncomfortable as your brain and body attempt to adjust to being without Dilaudid. This stage of the process generally lasts from between 48 and 72 hours, but it can last longer.
The length of the late withdrawal stage is dependent on factors, such as the amount of the drug you’re used to taking and how often you took Dilaudid. Other aspects that affect the time you spend in late withdrawal include the presence of other drugs within your body and your general health.
Some of the late symptoms of withdrawal are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Chills
- Cold sweats
- Involuntary tremors
- Diarrhea
In addition to the above, your already strong cravings for Dilaudid have the potential to intensify during this stage. This is yet another reason why you need to seek out a detox environment, staffed by professionals who have years of experience in helping people get through the different stages of Dilaudid withdrawal.
3. Post-Withdrawal Stage
This acute phase of withdrawal lasts only for a few days. However, you may also experience post-acute withdrawal. This is a phenomenon that causes a range of unpleasant symptoms, including:
- Sleep disturbances
- Fatigue
- Ongoing depression
- Anxiety
- Feelings of low self-worth
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Appetite changes
In some people, these symptoms can last for months, and sometimes years.
How Can I Help My Loved One Recover From a Dilaudid Drug Addiction?
It can be difficult to figure out the best approach when your loved one is suffering from an addiction to Dilaudid, and helping them comes with many challenges. It’s crucial to be as helpful and supportive to your loved one as possible, without enabling them to continue using.
If you’re currently in this situation, there are many ways you can empower yourself and your loved one, including:
- Finding out as much as possible about Dilaudid addiction. Knowledge is power.
- Showing concern and love.
- Avoiding judging, blaming and shaming.
- Giving support.
- Demonstrating a willingness to help.
- Encouraging professional help and treatment.
- Knowing that your loved one cannot quit without professional help.
- Offering continued support throughout their recovery.
- Talking with your loved one in a frank and non-confrontational manner.
Keep in mind that if your loved one is violent or aggressive, has a history of severe mental illness, is taking a combination of drugs or is feeling suicidal, you may need to get the help of a Dilaudid addiction treatment center in Florida professional before attempting to help them with their Dilaudid addiction. Help is available 24/7 call 1us for a free personal consultation 800-338-5770.
What Types of Co-Occurring Disorders Exist With Dilaudid?
When you’re addicted to the Dilaudid drug class, you may also find that you’re suffering from a co-occurring psychiatric or emotional illness or illnesses. This only compounds your addiction issues, as it can leave you feeling confused and unable to cope with your day-to-day life.
Freeing yourself from addiction is notoriously difficult, and it’s even more so when you’re facing mental health issues. It’s imperative to seek professional treatment to have your co-occurring illness treated as well as your addiction, or you risk persistent relapse — which is dangerous to your ongoing physical and mental health.
It may be that your illness was present before you began taking Dilaudid and that you’ve been self-medicating to alleviate your symptoms. On the other hand, your Dilaudid use may have brought on your co-occurring disorder.
No matter the order your illnesses came in, though, here at our Dilaudid addiction treatment center in Florida, we have a wealth of experience of treating people who are suffering from co-occurring disorders, also called dual diagnosis disorders. Our team is on hand 24/7 to offer genuine help and advice when you need it.
Co-occurring disorders that often occur when you use Dilaudid include:
- Attention deficit disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Antisocial personality disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
As symptoms of illness and addiction can often overlap, seeking professional help and treatment is the safest route forward through your addiction to Dilaudid. Symptoms that are present both in addiction and in various co-occurring disorders include:
- Depression
- Mania
- Inability to gain control over your moods
- Inability to hold down your job
- Inability to maintain relationships
- Closing yourself off from others
- Extreme mood swings
- Brushes with the law
- Financial issues
If there is no improvement in the above symptoms despite stopping your Dilaudid use, you could be suffering from a dual diagnosis, and you certainly need our professional help.
Dangers of Quitting the Dilaudid Drug Class Without Assistance
Without professional addiction treatment, you run the risk of suffering serious complications when trying to quit Dilaudid on your own. Although withdrawing isn’t necessarily fatal in itself, some of the related complications can be very uncomfortable and dangerous.
You may be feeling very focused and determined enough to try quitting Dilaudid alone. However, this is never a good idea, as you run the risk of relapse when you don’t have the right support and professional help around you.
In addition, you need addiction therapy after you’ve detoxed as well as aftercare to ensure you have the best chance of avoiding relapse down the road, even if you do manage to detox alone.
When you take Dilaudid, even for a short time period of a few weeks, your body will be completely out of balance. When you abruptly stop the drug, you’ll find it very difficult to adjust. When you quit under the supervision of a professional team, however, they will find ways of supporting you through each stage of withdrawal, spurring you on to get back to your original drug-free state.
It can take weeks or months for your body to get back in balance after being addicted to the Dilaudid drug class. Don’t take a chance with your health and well-being. Call us today and begin living again.
How Do You Safely Detox From Dilaudid?
Detoxing from the Dilaudid drug class can be extremely intense and uncomfortable —so much so that there is a real risk of relapse if you don’t get our experienced support and help throughout your journey.
In fact, some of the medical and psychological symptoms you may experience can have life-threatening complications. For instance, if you’re suffering from extreme clinical depression or a co-occurring disorder, you may have suicidal thoughts. For this reason, recovering under our professional care is crucial for your own safety — and success.
Detoxing with professional care enables you to understand the root causes of your addiction, as well as how to deal with your cravings and triggers.
We understand what you’re going through — many of our staff are recovering addicts themselves. We offer a private, safe place for you to heal. We provide you with a wide range of therapies, including our treatment model, tailored to you and your addiction. This is in addition to recreational activities that provide you with holistic healing will strengthen your mind, body, soul, and spirit to move on to this next exciting stage of your life.
Benefits of A Dilaudid Addiction Treatment Program
Since the Dilaudid drug class is an opiate (narcotic) drug, it’s notoriously difficult to withdraw from, as opiates are incredibly addictive. You’ll discover that due to your intense cravings and the effects of the whole withdrawal process, quitting is one of the most difficult struggles you’ll ever face. This is why getting professional help is crucial.
Our experienced and understanding team guide you through every step of recovery. We are always here no matter the time of day or night to offer their support and help.
Your recovery journey begins with detox, during which you will be given 24-hour round-the-clock care. After which, our team creates a completely individualized treatment plan, taking all your needs into account. From there, we offer you support, ensuring you remain healthy and Dilaudid-free.
We offer comprehensive 30-, 60-, or 90-day treatment programs that are tailored to you as an individual. We don’t believe in a cookie-cutter “one size fits all” approach. Through following your personalized schedule of individual and group counseling sessions, you’ll feel yourself becoming more positive and focused as each day passes.
As we embrace the 12-step model, we also help you obtain a sponsor for your recovery. This is an individual who has faced addiction and who has maintained a drug or alcohol-free life for quite some time. With this in mind, they’ll mentor and guide you throughout your recovery, helping you work the 12 steps into your daily life.
Quitting Dilaudid for good is hard work. That’s undeniable. However, life at 12 Keys in Florida also involves having fun. You’ll learn how to live a balanced lifestyle, making time for fun, as well as for the serious stuff. With our focus on excellent nutrition, you can nourish your body, as well as participate in an exercise to keep your body strong.
You’ll even meet new friends during your time with us. Addiction can be very lonely, even when you’re surrounded by people. Through attending our support groups, you can meet new and potentially lifelong friends in an atmosphere of safety, positivity and mutual support.
Through following your tailored aftercare plan, you have no worries in terms of your future, and you may also attend counseling sessions and support groups long after you’ve left us.
Why You Should Enter Our Dilaudid Drug Addiction Treatment Center
You have the information you need to make an informed decision on your route forward to becoming Dilaudid-free for life. It’s time to seriously consider entering our Dilaudid addiction treatment center in Florida.
As you’ve read above, quitting the drug alone is a bad idea, and our treatment center is staffed by empathetic, qualified staff who want to provide you with focus, support and help to live a drug-free life.
When you seek our professional Dilaudid addiction treatment, you can look forward to:
- A safe, caring environment
- Less stress than detoxing alone
- Friendly and professional staff who are there for you 24/7
- Focus on family
- Holistic treatment
- And much more
You need the right, professional support to get through this difficult time, and there is no shame in asking for it. Often, misguided people may make you feel that you’re somehow weak-willed when you’re facing addiction issues. Through getting professional help, you’ll understand all the reasons you turned to Dilaudid as well as natural and positive ways of coping with your stressors and triggers. Help is available 24/7 cal our Dilaudid addiction rehab center in Florida for a free personal consultation 800-338-5770.
Get The Professional Help You Deserve At Our Dilaudid Addiction Rehab Facility In Florida
Here, at 12 Keys’ Dilaudid addiction treatment center in Florida, we understand how difficult your journey is, and has been, and we want to help. We offer all our clients a completely customized plan that addresses every aspect of your healing and continued recovery from Dilaudid addiction. Take the first step today and contact us.