Hydromorphone withdrawal is often uncomfortable, painful, and in some cases, can be dangerous as well. You can find help for your opioid use disorder and dependence by calling 800-442-6158 Who Answers? today.
What Are the Effects of Hydromorphone Withdrawal?
Hydromorphone withdrawal is similar to other types of opioid withdrawal. According to the National Library of Medicine, the common symptoms include flu-like effects such as fever, chills, and runny nose. In addition, most individuals also experience
Flu-like symptoms are common during hydromorphone withdrawal.
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Increased tearing (crying)
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Yawning
- Diarrhea
- Dilated pupils
- Goose bumps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Most individuals who go through hydromorphone withdrawal also experience extreme muscle, bone and joint pain. Abdominal cramps are also common during the later stages of the syndrome. This is because opioids like hydromorphone minimize the sense of pain an individual feels, and when a person becomes dependent on them, they will no longer be equipped to deal with that pain.
Many people also experience severe depression as a result of opioid withdrawal. This is why everyone who has become dependent on opioids––even while taking the medication as prescribed––must be screened for depression during or before their detox treatment.
Is Opioid Withdrawal Deadly?
Opioid withdrawal is not considered to be deadly. When compared to the effects associated with alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal, opioid detox is not as severe and most individuals can get through it in an outpatient program or by seeing their doctor to receive their medication. However, there are some effects that could make it more dangerous for the individual.
- If you are suffering from depression as a result of opioid dependence, you may experience suicidal thoughts. This could be extremely dangerous.
- Individuals who withdraw from opioids after abusing them and who are not treated for addiction often relapse. As stated by the NLM, opioid addicts are most vulnerable to a deadly overdose during this time, as many relapse back to drug abuse during detox when their tolerances have diminished.
Therefore, though the drug is not considered to cause deadly withdrawal symptoms, there are times where a person’s withdrawal from hydromorphone can become life threatening, and if you think this might be the case for you, it is extremely important to seek treatment.
Where Can I Get Help?
It is always much safer to go through withdrawal in a rehab or detox center or at least under the care of a doctor. Most individuals need medications like methadone, buprenorphine, or clonidine in order to go through the process safely, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. And those who choose to be treated in a rehab center will also have help transitioning into an addiction treatment program once they have weathered the worst of their withdrawal.
Put an End to Your Substance Abuse Today
If you are struggling with a hydromorphone addiction and want to put an end to it, call 800-442-6158 Who Answers? today. We can help you make a change and build a strong recovery by finding the care that will best suit your needs.
