Understanding Hydromorphone and Its Risks

Understanding Hydromorphone and Its Risks

Hydromorphone is a powerful opioid often prescribed as a pain reliever under the brand name Dilaudid®. It is known for its significant potency, being two to eight times stronger than morphine. Hydromorphone has a rapid onset of action but a shorter duration, which can make it highly dangerous when misused. While it is legally manufactured for medical purposes, its abuse has become a grave concern.

How Is Hydromorphone Abused?

Although hydromorphone is legitimately prescribed, it is frequently misused and obtained through illegal means such as forged prescriptions, pharmacy theft, or sharing among acquaintances. It can be ingested as tablets, or injected after crushing and dissolving tablets, mimicking the use of substances like heroin. This practice drastically increases the risks associated with its use.

“In response to the ongoing overdose crisis in Canada, a number of opioid agonist treatment and safer supply programs provide people at high overdose risk with daily-dispensed tablet hydromorphone, with some requiring witnessed ingestion and others providing take-away doses. While these programs are intended to reduce overdose events by limiting people’s use of the contaminated drug supply, the experiences of people receiving hydromorphone vary.” Read more.

The Impact on the Mind and Body

When not used under a doctor’s supervision, hydromorphone abuse produces feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and sedation, which can lead to mental clouding, nervousness, and restlessness. Its addictive nature often results in both psychological and physical dependence, making it a dangerous substance for those seeking recreational use.

On the body, hydromorphone can cause a range of harmful effects, including nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite, dizziness, impaired coordination, and significant changes in heart rate or blood pressure. Using drugs regularly can wear down your body and make you more likely to face serious health problems.

The Deadly Risk of Overdose

One of the most alarming dangers associated with hydromorphone is the risk of overdose. Symptoms of overdose include severe respiratory depression, stupor or coma, lack of muscle tone, cold and clammy skin, constricted pupils, and dangerously low blood pressure and heart rate. Without immediate medical intervention, an overdose can easily result in death due to suppressed breathing.

A Threat Difficult to Ignore

Drugs with effects similar to hydromorphone, such as heroin, morphine, and fentanyl, also carry high risks, underscoring the overall dangers of opioid abuse. Hydromorphone, classified as a Schedule II narcotic in the United States, may have legitimate medical uses but remains highly addictive. Its potential for abuse and its catastrophic consequences—both for individuals and wider society—cannot be overlooked.

A Safer Future

Understanding the devastating physical and psychological toll of substances like hydromorphone is essential. Awareness and action can reduce the harm these drugs inflict on individuals, families, and communities. If we understand the risks and dangers, we can build a safer, healthier society without the weight of drug abuse.

Source: Campus Drug Prevention

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