Dilaudid, also known by its generic name hydromorphone hydrochloride, is a strong painkiller in the opioid family of drugs. It is similar to morphine, but it is stronger and works on the brain in different ways. Like other opioids, it lessens the strength of pain signals that reach your brain and affects how your body responds to them. Doctors prescribe Dilaudid to treat moderate to severe pain, especially when other medications cannot ease it.

When used as prescribed by a doctor, Dilaudid produces pain relief that lasts for four to six hours. It can be taken orally, intranasally (through a mask), or intravenously. In hospitals, doctors often inject it directly into the bloodstream to get immediate and sustained relief for severe pain. It’s important to note that Dilaudid can be dangerous if misused or abused, and it should only be used by people with a doctor’s prescription.

People who abuse Dilaudid use it illegally for the intense feelings of relaxation and euphoria it can cause. This is called “doing drugs” and can be extremely dangerous. The drug can cause respiratory depression, which causes a dangerous drop in breathing and blood pressure. High doses of the drug can also cause a condition called hypothermia, which is a severe drop in body temperature. Both of these conditions can lead to coma and even death.

Dilaudid is highly addictive, and even when it’s taken as prescribed, it can create physical dependence and addiction. This is because Dilaudid is one of the strongest prescription painkillers in the opioid class, and users build up a tolerance to it quickly, which means they need higher and more frequent doses to feel the same effects.

Because of its extreme potency and how it interacts with other commonly abused drugs, Dilaudid is very dangerous to play around with. When abused, it can cause serious side effects that may include heart failure, a decrease in the flow of blood to the brain, liver damage, and a life-threatening reaction if mixed with alcohol or central nervous system depressants.

People who develop an addiction to Dilaudid need help with recovery. A medically assisted detox program can help by guiding them through the process of weaning off of the medication safely and quickly. Drug rehab can help with long-term recovery, too. During rehab, clients will work with therapists and peers in recovery to address the issues that contributed to their Dilaudid addiction. This type of treatment can also help them learn healthy coping skills and healthy behaviors so they can stay sober for life. For the best results, patients should commit to long-term drug rehab programs that last 90 days or longer. Those who finish rehab can then transition into a sober living program or aftercare program to help them maintain their sobriety. They can then continue their recovery with the support of other addicts in recovery.