HYDROMORPHONE

A potent opioid painkiller, hydromorphone is often prescribed under the name Dilaudid. Available in oral and injectable forms, hydromorphone is fast acting, making it attractive as a drug of abuse. 

Unfortunately, hydromorphone is also highly addictive. As with all opioids, it is very easy to build up a tolerance to hydromorphone. A user seeking the same effects has to take more of the drug to feel the same effects. It’s why hydromorphone abuse can be potentially lethal – large doses of hydromorphone can cause lethal overdoses. 

When used as prescribed, hydromorphone is safe. Hydromorphone abuse is a gateway into addiction and street opioids such as heroin. Hydromorphone addiction is treatable but recovering from hydromorphone abuse can be unpleasant and complex. Clinical detox can make the process much easier.