Dilaudid Detox

What Is Dilaudid Detox?

A Dilaudid detox is the process of cleansing the body of the Opioid before treatment of the user’s addiction can begin. While this sounds simple, the symptoms of withdrawal can be intense, depending on the severity of the person’s addiction, and can be difficult to tolerate without medical assistance. This step is imperative. If someone who suffers from addiction fails during their detox and relapses, they will be less likely to try again.

Detox, no matter the substance, is always the first step in recovery. What many fail to realize is how important it is as a first step. The pain someone experiences at this point can be a powerful reminder of the pains of withdrawal and could be motivating to continue their addiction.

About Dilaudid

Dilaudid, a brand name for Hydromorphone, is an Opioid prescribed for severe pain. Like other Opioids, the medication works by changing how the body responds to pain. While it isn’t an exact number, it is believed that Dialudid is anywhere from 6 to 9 times stronger than Morphine.  This makes the addictive quality of Dilaudid that much greater than Morphine and dangerous for people who are prescribed Dilaudid for a long term.

Symptoms Of Dilaudid Withdrawal

Being a prescription Opioid, Dilaudid addictions usually happen at the same time someone has been experiencing great pain. This makes the allure of the medication, and the body’s craving of it, more potent. Like any drug, after someone has built a dependence on it they could begin to feel the effects of withdrawal.  Symptoms of withdrawal include:

• Restlessness
• Watering eyes
• Runny nose
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sweating
• Muscle and joint aches
• Chills and shivering
• Dilating pupils
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Weakness
• Insomnia
• Diarrhea
• Increased heart rate

Dilaudid Detox Medications

Methadone

Methadone is one of the most common treatment medications for people suffering from Opioid withdrawal. Given that it is an Opioid as well, medical doctors prescribe it as a way to help wean a patient off the substance they are currently addicted to then progressively taper the doses to allow the person’s body to gradually adapt to not having Dilaudid in their system. This helps when someone is initially getting the drug out of their system, as it can make up for the missing Opioids and relieve the pains that come with withdrawal.

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine, similar to Methadone, is an Opioid used to treat people who have developed an addiction to another Opioid and are going through withdrawal. Using it with Naloxone can lower the risk of someone developing a dependence. This happens as Buprenorphine alleviates the pain and discomfort caused by withdrawal, Naloxone blocks the euphoria that Opioids can bring if the patient were to relapse.

Clonidine

Clonidine is a non-Opioid that is used to relieve anxiety and agitation, and reduce cramping and tension that someone may feel. It also helps regulate blood pressure and pulse and has been shown to reduce the cravings that someone going through withdrawal would feel. That is why it is best used as part of a greater treatment plan.

Naltrexone

Naltrexone functions in the body as an Opioid-agonist. It can block the feelings of Opioids, helping someone prevent a relapse. If someone were to use it while Dilaudid were still in their system, they could experience severe symptoms of withdrawal. For this reason, Naltrexone is only prescribed after the individual has been off of Opioids for at least 7 to 10 days.

Stages Of Dilaudid Withdrawal

Dilaudid Withdrawal Timeline
Hours 1-14	Initial symptoms of Dilaudid withdrawal can occur within an hour of the user’s last dose. These initial symptoms, that include restlessness and anxiety, may seem benign but other, more severe symptoms may become present the longer time goes on.
Days 1-2	Peak symptoms will appear at some time after 14 hours of quitting. This is when symptoms will escalate and the user could experience nausea, muscles aches and shaking, chills, and sweating.
Days 3-4	Typically, the most severe withdrawal symptoms fade after days 3-4. Some faint symptoms, like nausea and aching pains, may persist.
Days 5-14	There may be lingering symptoms of withdrawal at this point. Like, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and irritability.

Get Help With Dilaudid Detox

If you or someone you love suffers from an addiction to Dilaudid, or any Opioid, the first step to recovery is detox. Please, do not try to detox on your own. The process can be painful and difficult without medical assistance. The detox process is crucial to recovery, and failing at the beginning can make someone less likely to attempt again in the future. If you do require help, try reaching out to a dedicated treatment provider.