What is Dilaudid Addiction?

The National Institute of Health estimates that Americans pay over $400 billion annually related to the abuse of the drug, Dilaudid. This includes the time abusers must take off work, traffic accidents they are involved in, crimes they have committed, and health care costs. Most abusers go on to become addicted to the drug. It is estimated that 33 million people in the U.S. have inappropriately and illegally used Dilaudid and other painkillers. The black market sale of such drugs is a billion dollar industry. People rapidly become addicted to Dilaudid, and withdrawal is painful and difficult.

What Is Dilaudid And How Is It Used?

Dilaudid is the brand name for a prescription painkiller, hydromorphone, that is a derivative of morphine. It is much stronger than morphine and is prescribed to provide relief of severe pain of bone injuries or surgery, soft tissue injuries, severe burns, or any condition that is known to cause extreme pain. The drug relieves pain within 15 minutes of administration and lasts for six or more hours. In addition to relieving pain, it has an effect on the pleasure center of the brain, causing a feeling of euphoria.

How People Get Addicted To Dilaudid.

Patients quickly develop a tolerance for the drug and need increased dosages to maintain the pain relieving, euphoric feeling. People have developed an addiction to Dilaudid in as little as two weeks. Once a Dilaudid user has started increasing their own dosage in order to obtain the pain relieving, euphoric experience, it is almost impossible for them to give up the drug without help. When they do give it up, they experience severe pain as well as other withdrawal symptoms. In order to prevent this unpleasantness, users continue to increase their dosage and finds ways to obtain the drug. A large number of users are known to go from doctor to doctor seeking new prescriptions for the drug. In fact, this doctor shopping has become so prevalent that 21 states have established programs to monitor prescriptions and pharmacies in order to curtail the incidence of Dilaudid prescription fraud. Of course, Dilaudid is sold on the black market. Some people who were legitimately prescribed Dilaudid end up selling their own pills to those who have become addicted. There are Dilaudid dealers, just like there are marijuana or cocaine dealers. People addicted to Dilaudid will do anything and everything to get the drug in order to prevent uncomfortable and painful withdrawal symptoms. They may resort to theft in order to get enough money to buy the drug. They are always searching for that next high, which actually gets more and more difficult to achieve as their bodies develop a tolerance for the dosage, and they continue to need more and more of the drug. The dilaudid addiction is both, physical and mental. Users literally crave the drug and need it to relieve their physical pain, as well as to recreate the mental euphoric feeling.

Dilaudid Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms.

People addicted to Dilaudid cannot just simply quit taking the drug. There are withdrawal symptoms that cause real pain and discomfort. Withdrawal symptoms usually begin about nine hours after the last dosage and peak from 14 to 21 hours after the last use. The symptoms usually subside within 36 to 72 hours of the last dosage Withdrawal symptoms from Dilaudid are similar to the symptoms of heroin withdrawal. The symptoms vary in severity depending on the length of the addiction and the amount of Dilaudid the person has been taking. The most serious withdrawal symptoms include:

• Tremors
• Seizures
• Depression
• Restlessness, insomnia, and anxiety
• Digestive problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite
• Cold and flu symptoms, including watery eyes, runny nose, chills, headache,and joint pain
• High blood pressure and increased heart rate

The situation is not hopeless. Many have recovered from their Dilaudid addiction through therapy and rehabilitation.

Source

United States National Library of Medicine: Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) Meta: What is dilaudid addiction? People addicted to Dilaudid cannot just simply quit taking it. There are withdrawal symptoms that cause real pain and discomfort.

Symptoms of Someone Addicted to Painkillers

Throughout the US, people are becoming more addicted to prescription painkillers than ever. The sad part is that these are controlled substances and are being abused by people of all ages. Younger addicts use painkillers for recreational purposes rather than using them for their actual purpose of relieving pain. Painkillers come in different brands, generic and non-generic. They also are different in strength, the stronger the pill the more relief, however the stronger the addiction. Painkillers are easily prescribed for multiple reasons. Everyday people get into car accidents, fall, or find themselves accidentally hurt. These people are prone to fall into the addiction of painkillers. They go to the doctor or hospital and they are prescribed painkillers. The pills temporarily relieve the pain which requires a consistent diet of painkillers to constantly relieve the pain. Once the painkillers have become consistent, the immunity of the pill comes into play. People then become immune to the feeling and need a higher dose or milligram to relieve their pain.

Some of the warning signs for painkiller addiction are listed below:

• Changes in personality, such as increased/decreased energy levels and mood swings
• Forgetful and careless
• Change in appearance, such as weight loss/gain, flu-like withdrawal symptoms, glazed eyes, and sleep pattern changes
• Socially withdrawn from family and friends
• Becomes easily defensive and confrontational

 

Common Statistics of Painkiller Addiction

People addicted to painkillers often find themselves worried about not having their fix. They will plan out their doses according to the amount of pills they have left. There are many statistics to prove that the younger generations are becoming easily addicted to painkillers. Below is a list of common statistics of painkiller usage.

• The most common abused drug is a painkiller.
• Approximately 1 out of 4 teenagers will abuse painkillers before they graduate high school.
• People between the ages of 18 and 34 show the highest rate of addiction to painkillers.
• The most common drug related deaths are results of painkiller abuse.
• Women are more likely to abuse painkillers than men because it is more socially acceptable than illegal drugs.
• Women are more likely to abuse painkillers as a release of their problems.
• Men are more likely to use painkillers as a way to feel good.
• In the last year, over 2 million people ages 12 and up have started to use painkillers.
• Teens who abuse painkillers are more likely to show delinquent behavior and are more likely to become depressed.
• About 55% of abusers get their painkillers through family members and friends.
• People in relationships are more likely to abuse painkillers if their significant other is an abuser.
• Only 4% of abusers get their painkillers from a street source, such as a drug dealer or stranger.

Concluding these facts and statistics, painkillers are a legal danger that affects people internationally. It is never easy giving up something that brings pleasure; however, if this pleasurable substance is addictive and dangerous to one's body, it shouldn't be so easily obtained. Doctors should start reconsidering their prescriptions when writing them out. If these controlled substances were more controlled, these facts and statistics would change for the better, as would the lives of the abusers that have such easy access to their substance.

Source:

MedlinePlus: Pain Relievers