Dilaudid is designed to help people manage moderate to severe pain for health issues such as cancer and recovery from serious injuries, such as burns, however, it is a very powerful narcotic and can create a dependency in as little as a few weeks. Attempting to detox from Dilaudid without professional help is difficult. The addiction specialists here at Ambrosia Treatment Center in West Palm Beach, FL are able to utilize the latest in drug abuse treatments, including contingency management and cognitive-behavioral therapy to help people suffering from Dilaudid addiction. These treatments have proven to be effective for our clients with substance abuse issues.
At Ambrosia Treatment Center, we offer motivational-enhanced therapy at our three locations throughout South Florida. This treatment helps motivate people to continued abstinence from drug use by having the recovering individual contrast the drug with the benefits of achieving and maintaining recovery. We also pair this with cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT. CBT is where individuals learn skills to help them deal with addiction-related situations as they arise. We offer a holistic and supportive approach within our nationally-recognized rehab program that focuses on each one of our client’s individual needs.
Dilaudid is a highly sought after and commonly abused drug. If you or a loved one has fallen victim to its clutches there is help. You don’t need to feel ashamed or feel as though you have to do it on your own. Ambrosia Treatment Center’s addiction specialists are well qualified to help anyone suffering from an addiction to any type of controlled substance. Our state-of-the-art treatment facilities provide a serene environment perfect for Dilaudid addiction rehabilitation and recovery.
What is Dilaudid?
Because dilaudid is a medication for pain management there are a number of different ways that it can be administered. Dilaudid pills can be taken in either an immediate-release or extended-release form. For immediate-release the dosage is typically 2mg or 4mg and taken 4-6 hours as needed, where the extended-release are a once daily only dose, determined by a prescribing doctor based on the patients needs and severity of their pain symptoms. Dilaudid can also be taken in Injection form, an oral liquid to be swallowed or even a rectal suppository. Depending on the type of form taken a user should feel the effects of the Dilaudid in as little as 15 minutes.
Since Dilaudid is such an effective drug at providing calming relaxed feeling users, with results 8 times more powerful than morphine, it is prone for abuse. It has a strong presence on the black market and is known under many different street names including: D’s, Dillies, Big D, M-80s and Peaches.
Dilaudid Side Effects
- Nausea or Vomiting,
- Drowsiness, Lightheadedness, or Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Cold sweats or cool feeling skin
- Sleep apnea
- Abdominal pain
- Difficulty urinating
- Weight loss
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizures
- Lethargy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Changes in behavior such as agitation
- Hallucinations
In an attempt to increase the euphoric high feeling the drug creates people will often mix it with other controlled substances such as alcohol or benzodiazepines. All three of these drugs affect brain chemistry in a similar way, serving as depressants. When mixing them the opportunity to overdose greatly increases, and Dilaudid is already a drug prone to overdose as tolerances to it can develop quickly so larger doses are required to feel the same effects. When the effects are not what they once were for users they are more likely to turn to harder drugs such as heroin to achieve the same high. If this happens medical attention should be sought out right away.
Possible signs of Dilaudid overdose to watch out for include:
- Severe Dizziness or Lightheadedness
- Severe Lethargy
- Pinpoint pupils
- Weak pulse
- Shallow breathing
- Vomiting
- Unconsciousness
- Lips turning blue
- Disorientation
- Unable to stay conscious
- Muscle twitching
Attempting to detox from Dilaudid can be quite difficult, withdrawal symptoms can be quite severe and include sweating, shaking, vomiting, muscle aches, diarrhea, restlessness, agitation, anxiety, and more. It is not something that should be attempted alone. At Ambrosia Treatment Center we are here to help you every step of the way on your journey to recovery.
How Can You Tell if You Are Addicted to Dilaudid
Dilaudid Addiction Treatment Center in West Palm Beach, Florida
Dr. Alam is an internationally renowned psychiatrist with academic affiliations with Northwestern University and University of Illinois, Chicago where he completed his residency training. He has been a principal investigator for over forty studies and has been involved in research leading to the approval of most psychiatric medications currently on the market. He is the founder of the Neuroscience Research Institute which continues to conduct research on cutting edge medication and interventional psychiatry. Dr. Alam is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Society of Addiction Medicine. He has won several awards and has been featured extensively on radio and television.