Hydromorphone was first synthesized in Germany in 1924, and was created by researchers hoping to find a chronic pain reliever that produced minimal side effects. The drug made a debut in the public eye in 1926, and was sold under the trade name Dilaudid. The United States Controlled Substances Act of 1970, listed all hydromorphone drugs and most opioid drugs as Schedule II narcotics.

Dilaudid is the trade name of hydromorphone, a centrally-acting painkiller of the opioid family. The drug is made from morphine, used as an alternative to pure morphine. When mixed with diacetylmorphine, it is used as a narcotic antitussive (cough suppressant) for the treatment of dry, painful coughing as a result of influenza, inhalation of fungus or other causes. Hydromorphone is used to treat moderate to severe pain, and is a substitute for heroin or morphine where one or both of the drugs are not marketed.

Because the drug has such a high propensity for abuse, dilaudid addiction is a very real issue. There are several adverse effects that can come from abusing the medication. Such effects include respiratory depression, circulatory depression, dizziness, sedation, light-headed feeling, nausea, constipation, vomiting and sweating. Another problem that can occur with dilaudid is accidental administration instead of morphine due to similar chemical names, the medication is easily mixed up either during prescription being filled or when the medication is dispensed. As a result, there have been several deaths, which necessitates the need for more stringent packaging and distribution practices.

The risk for dilaudid addiction comes from a dependence among patients who are prescribed any type of opioid medication. The medication does appear on the street to an extent that more than 90% comes from people who sell their prescriptions, armed robberies and robbing of pharmacies. Slang terminology for hydromorphone on the street is D, dilly, dill, k4, k3, k2, k1, Big D, Super 8, M-80, hospital heroin, shake & bake and peaches.

The effectiveness of dilaudid is good for use in treating on-the-spot pain and currently works better than morphine. Because morphine has such addictive properties, it is not uncommon for people with a morphine addiction to graduate into dilaudid addiction. As when someone uses any form of narcotic pain medication, overuse of medication can lead to both physical and psychological addiction.

A dilaudid addiction can occur in as little as one to two weeks, even patients following the dosage instructions can experience addiction to powerful narcotic medications. Symptoms of hydromorphone withdrawal include seizures, paranoia, nausea, tremors and shaking, profuse sweating, diarrhea, appetite loss, fever, depression, pain, insomnia, irrational behavior and suicidal thoughts.

Having a dilaudid addiction is a very serious ordeal and can result in coma, respiratory depression, brain damage and eventual death. A person suffering from an addiction to narcotic pain medications has a serious, life-threatening condition which makes the body have strong cravings for the drug. For the health and safety of a person with an addiction, treatment under the supervision of medical professionals and rehabilitation specialists who can monitor the withdrawal symptoms and oversee the detoxification period is recommended.

If you or someone you love is having an addiction problem and needs help, please contact the Transformation Treatment Center admissions office today.