Dilaudid Addiction: Am I Addicted?

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No one sets out to become addicted to drugs. Consequently, they often don’t know when it’s become a problem. A person who has a Dilaudid addiction needs expert help. They not only need a detox program. They also need treatment after that. We offer many outpatient programs. These allow people to live at home while getting better. In addition, we provide holistic therapy. As a result, people get a complete healing process. This teaches them to become sober.

What Is Dilaudid? 

Dilaudid is a prescription drug. It treats moderate and severe pain. Dilaudid is the brand name for hydromorphone. It is part of the opioid family. Additionally, it is classified as a Schedule II drug. This type of drug carries a high risk for addiction. Other Schedule II drugs include cocaine and meth. Dilaudid goes by street names including Dillies, Big D, and Peaches. 

Dilaudid can be taken orally. This method takes effect in 30-60 minutes. It can also be taken intranasally. Lastly, it can be taken intravenously. Both of these methods take effect quickly. Dosages last around four to six hours. The drug is only available by prescription. Because of this, possession or use of it without a prescription is illegal.  

Is Dilaudid Addictive?

As previously stated, Dilaudid poses a large risk for addiction. When someone takes this drug, it attaches to their brain. As well, it affects the central nervous system. As a result, the person has reduced levels of pain. The drug causes the release of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine provides feelings of joy and pleasure naturally. Consequently, the person begins to rely on abuse of the drug to produce dopamine. When they stop using Dilaudid, they experience withdrawal symptoms. By this point, Dilaudid addiction has begun.

How Long Does It Take To Get Addicted to Dilaudid? 

Dilaudid is one of the most powerful opioid drugs. Doctors usually prescribe it in small doses. The reason for this is how quickly addiction can happen. Tolerance for the prescribed amount can develop quickly. It can happen in just two weeks. Once this happens, the next step may be an addiction. The person will begin to use more of the drug. In short, each time they increase the amount, the more likely Dilaudid addiction will develop. 

Dilaudid Addiction Symptoms

Dilaudid addiction can happen quickly. Symptoms of addiction vary from person to person. To begin with, many people have physical symptoms. These can include:

  • Drowsiness 
  • Poor judgment
  • Trouble paying attention
  • Memory problems 
  • Slurred speech
  • Withdrawal symptoms when not using it
  • Unable to cut back or stop using it

Second of all, behavioral symptoms of Dilaudid addiction may happen. They can include:

  • Forging prescriptions 
  • Doctor shopping (visiting more than one doctor to get prescriptions)
  • Buying the drug illegally
  • Financial problems caused by using the drug
  • Using it despite negative consequences
  • Neglecting relationships, careers, and other responsibilities
  • Isolating

Lastly, some psychological symptoms may occur. These can include feeling depressed. Some people feel euphoria when using Dilaudid. Then, they crash when the effects wear off. 

Dilaudid Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms

When someone with a Dilaudid addiction stops taking it, they have withdrawal symptoms. Because of this, many people give up and start using the drug again. The amount and level of these symptoms vary per person. The length of the addiction, as well as how much the person typically took, factor in. What is more, the method of taking the drug can make a difference. Injecting the drug may cause worse withdrawal symptoms. 

Dilaudid withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Sweating 
  • Chills
  • Aches and pains
  • Insomnia
  • Drug cravings 

In fact, psychological withdrawal symptoms may also occur. These can include anxiety, depression, and suicidal feelings. 

Dilaudid Addiction Facts & Statistics

Dilaudid addiction can damage lives in an obvious way. This relates to a person’s health. Along with that, it carries a bad financial impact on the country. Moreover, eye-opening statistics include:

  • Tolerance, which can lead to addiction, can begin in just two weeks.
  • Nearly 50,000 people in the U.S. died from opioid-involved overdoses in 2019.
  • Eight to twelve percent of people who use opioids for pain ended up addicted.
  • About 4-6% of those who abuse prescription opioids go on to use heroin.
  • Between 21 and 29% of people using prescription opioids for pain misuse them.
  • Prescription opioid misuse costs the country almost $79 million a year. This includes costs related to healthcare and treatment. As well, lost work hours and criminal justice costs factor in.

Finding Dilaudid Addiction Treatment 

Launch Centers understands how powerful Dilaudid addiction proves to be. Because of this, we offer expert help in beating it. Firstly, our treatment begins with a detox program. Detox takes place in a residential setting. The person receives round-the-clock care. As a result, they receive any needed help for withdrawal symptoms. 

Secondly, we offer choices for post-detox care. Some people choose to remain in a residential setting. However, many prefer using outpatient programs. We also offer three kinds of outpatient programs. These include basic outpatient, intensive outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs. Each plan allows a person to receive the treatment they need. As well, they can live at home while working on their recovery. 

Begin Dilaudid Rehab in Los Angeles, CA

Do you need help overcoming Dilaudid addiction? We can help. Launch Centers in Los Angeles knows how to help people get sober. Then, we help you stay that way for life. We provide detox as a first step. After that, you can enter our outpatient programming. We help young people understand their addictions. As well, they learn how to put them in the past. Visit our admissions page to find out how to get started.

About Our Founder

Jose Hernandez, for over a decade, has been involved in alcohol and addiction recovery helping people succeed in overcoming substance abuse and regaining control of their lives. He has experience in all aspects of the recovery world, from facilitating entry into treatment as an intervention specialist to counseling and case management at rehabilitation facilities. Jose has worked one-on-one with individuals as a sober companion and with groups as a resident counselor at addiction treatment centers and is certified by the California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC) to practice as a substance abuse counselor.

Through his professional experiences in crisis intervention, drug and alcohol detoxification, substance abuse counseling, and relapse prevention, Jose has developed a unique plan for case management that bridges the gap between a person’s painful past of substance abuse and a future of sobriety.

At Riviera Recovery, a sober living facility with multiple locations, clients continue their transition from the supportive environment of a treatment center to living well and happily in the “real” world. The program he designed at Riviera Recovery personalizes treatment plans that enable clients, including those with a single or dual-diagnosed mental health disorder, to embrace a satisfying life.

His greatest endeavor has been establishing LAUNCH, a Los Angeles-based life skills intensive outpatient program for young adults. LAUNCH works with recovering men and women to establish personal vocational and educational goals and develop the tools to successfully meet them. His mission is to ensure that no one stands alone in his or her recovery.

Meet Our Clinical Team

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Jess Beck, LCSW

Clinical Director

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Eric Chaghouri, MD

Psychiatrist

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Chloe Kruskol, LCSW

Family Program Manager

MEET FULL TEAM
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