Dilaudid Rehabilitation and Treatment

This guide was written to provide an overview of the Dilaudid rehabilitation process, as well as to offer helpful resources for persons recovering from Dilaudid addiction.

Dilaudid rehabilitation is a multi-step process that starts with an orientation to the treatment facility. During the orientation period, the individual has an opportunity to tour the facility, meet the treatment staff, and learn about the programs offered by the rehabilitation center. The individual also undergoes a medical assessment and works with treatment professionals to develop a customized rehabilitation plan that addresses addiction triggers and any underlying psychological conditions that could be contributing to the individual’s addiction.

Once the individual has gone through the assessment process, the detoxification period begins under the supervision of licensed treatment professionals. Detoxification is the process of clearing Dilaudid from the body. Tapering off Dilaudid slowly reduces the risk of withdrawal symptoms and makes the withdrawal process safer for the individual. When the detoxification process is over, the individual has access to therapy and other rehabilitation services. Participating in the rehabilitation process provides social support, which can help the individual stay sober even after the treatment program ends.

Dilaudid is listed as a Schedule II drug, which the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) defines as a substance that has a high potential for abuse. Schedule II drugs also have a high potential for psychological or physical dependence, making it difficult for many users to stop taking Dilaudid and other opioids. One of the reasons Dilaudid misuse is on the rise is because the global supply of the drug has increased rapidly. Between 1998 and 2014, the world supply of hydromorphone increased by approximately 600%, according to the 2019 World Drug Report.

It’s especially difficult to recover from Dilaudid addiction due to the way opioids affect the brain. When an individual takes Dilaudid, his or her brain releases dopamine, a chemical involved in feelings of pleasure. The release of dopamine causes the individual to experience a pleasant “high,” activating the brain’s reward center. Over time, the individual must take more and more Dilaudid to experience the same pleasurable feeling.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimated in 2015:

• 2,484,000 individuals, 0.9% of the population, 12 years of age and older used hydromorphone products
• 1,548,000 individuals 12 years of age and older were addicted to pain relievers like Dilaudid and in need of treatment
• 148,680 individuals 12 years of age and older in need of treatment were enrolled in a rehabilitation program for opiate use

The recovery process for Dilaudid addiction begins with an initial detoxification process, during which Dilaudid is eliminated from the user’s body. Dilaudid has a half-life of 8 to 15 hours, indicating that about half of the substance will be removed from the user’s body in this time frame. Therefore, the initial detoxification period usually lasts for two to three days. However, it may take several weeks to complete the full withdrawal process.

An individual may experience withdrawal symptoms for several months after completing the detoxification process. When withdrawal symptoms persist for more than two weeks, they are classified as post-acute withdrawal symptoms. Depending on how long the individual has been using Dilaudid, along with how much Dilaudid was used each day, it may take up to a year to fully withdraw from this substance.

Several medications have been approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to help with Dilaudid detoxification. Agonists are prescribed to reduce cravings for Dilaudid. These medications suppress cravings by activating the brain’s opioid receptors. Antagonists have the opposite effect; instead of activating opioid receptors, they block the receptors. This prevents the user from experiencing the pleasant effects of Dilaudid and other opioids. Partial agonists also activate opioid receptors but not as effectively as agonists do. This prevents users from experiencing the pleasant effects of Dilaudid.

For more information about withdrawal, read our guide on Dilaudid Addiction.

Behavioral therapies and medication-assisted treatment are both used to treat Dilaudid addiction. Medication-assisted treatment refers to the combination of approved medications with behavioral therapies to help people modify their behavior and stay sober. Agonists, partial agonists, and antagonists are given to reduce Dilaudid cravings or prevent the individual from experiencing the pleasant effects associated with Dilaudid. Behavioral therapies help individuals adjust their attitudes and improve the overall quality of their lives. Therapy may also help the user address other risky behaviors, such as participation in criminal activity or engaging in risky sexual behavior.

Within either an inpatient or outpatient setting, treatments such as detoxification services, behavioral therapies, and medication-assisted treatments are offered for varying lengths of time.

Inpatient treatment involves living full-time (including overnight) at a treatment facility for a set period of time. Outpatient treatment involves scheduled appointments at a facility in which you are free to come and go. Within each category, there are several distinctions.

Behavioral therapy for substance addiction seeks to identify and manage addictive behaviors that lead to use and prevent relapse. Behavioral therapy is based on the concept that all behavior is learned, and therefore, unhealthy behavior can be changed through learning coping skills and increasing awareness of negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to substance abuse.

Medication-assisted treatment uses FDA-approved medications to help Dilaudid users manage their cravings. These medications also help the user’s brain chemistry return to normal after months or even years of Dilaudid use. With the right medications, users can control their physical withdrawal symptoms, allowing them to focus on therapy and other interventions.

When choosing a rehabilitation center for Dilaudid addiction, it’s important to look for a facility that offers medically-managed detoxification. A medically-managed detoxification process is safer and reduces the risk of relapse.

Many rehabilitation centers offer behavioral therapy to help individuals overcome their addictions. For Dilaudid users, it may be helpful to choose a facility that offers medication-assisted therapy, as taking FDA-approved medications can reduce Dilaudid cravings, helping the user focus on changing his or her negative thoughts.

Our directory of rehab programs includes a comprehensive list of available treatment centers and programs as provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). In the directory, you will find tools to filter the programs by setting, price, and location.