Why is the IV Dilaudid Rush so Strong? - Garden State Treatment Center

Dilaudid is the brand name for the drug hydromorphone, an opioid narcotic painkiller used to treat moderate or severe pain. Dilaudid can be administered orally (taken in a pill form) or intravenously (injected directly into the bloodstream through the veins). Painkillers are only used intravenously in professional medical settings – for example, in a hospital setting after a patient undergoes a surgical procedure, or in a cancer treatment ward.

Intravenous Dilaudid Abuse and Addiction

A medical professional will never hand over liquid Dilaudid and a syringe and say, “Here you go, inject two and call me in the morning.” If you know someone who has been using Dilaudid intravenously, there is a very good chance that he or she is suffering at the hands of a serious substance abuse disorder. Why do people who are not experiencing moderate or severe pain use IV Dilaudid?

In large part, it is because the rush they experience is so strong. Using a medication (or an illicit drug) intravenously always leads to a more intense rush, or “high.” However, using drugs intravenously also leads to a range of other serious issues and health-related complications. If you or someone you know has been dabbling in intravenous Dilaudid abuse, Garden State Treatment Center is available to help. Our comprehensive program of opioid addiction recovery takes all of the underlying factors of drug addiction into careful consideration and works to heal clients on a mental and emotional basis as well as a physical basis. To learn more about our program of Dilaudid addiction recovery, simply contact us over the phone or through our website.

Why is the IV Dilaudid Rush so Strong?

Why is the Rush From IV Dilaudid So Powerful?

There have been numerous studies conducted on the “rush” that goes hand-in-hand with intravenous Dilaudid use. According to an article published by the US National Library of Medicine, this notorious “rush: is related to the act of injecting the drug itself.  In a controlled study it was found that injecting a potent opioid-like Dilaudid resulted in feelings of “excitement, pleasure, thirst, strength, and anxiety.” While only two of the three feelings are favorable, all of these feelings increase adrenaline, which could be considered a “rush.” After the first instance of intravenous Dilaudid use, however, this “rush” becomes more and more difficult to achieve, which rapidly leads to physical and psychological dependence.

Dangers Involved in Intravenous Dilaudid Abuse

There are many additional dangers involved in intravenous drug use, including:

  • Abscesses and skin infections
  • Track marks
  • Permanent scarring
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • The contraction of blood-borne diseases like Hepatitis C and HIV
  • Overdose-related death

Some people might mistakenly believe that because Dilaudid is a prescription medication – one that is initially prescribed by a medical professional – it is safer to use than illicit opioids like heroin. This is only true when Dilaudid is used exactly as prescribed, and if it is being injected in an at-home setting, there is a very slim chance that this is the case.

Begin Your Journey of Recovery from Dilaudid Addiction

Using Dilaudid intravenously is extremely dangerous for several reasons – the most significant being the inherent risk of overdose-related death that goes hand-in-hand with unsupervised IV drug use. If you or someone you love has been using any type of drug intravenously, seeking professional help sooner rather than later is extremely important.

The moment you give Garden State Treatment Center a call we will begin formulating a plan for intake – we know just how time-sensitive receiving treatment can be for those who have already progressed to injecting their drug of choice. We look forward to speaking with you as soon as you decide to contact us, and helping you begin living an entirely new way of life as soon as possible.


Published on: 2021-04-16
Updated on: 2024-02-16