Skip to main content

Hydromorphone addiction treatment that actually works

For more than a decade, Enterhealth has offered treatment for substance abuse and addiction though our comprehensive approach and focus on treating the whole person for a lifetime through a continuum of care that includes inpatient, outpatient, and even virtual addiction treatment programs.

Based on science- and evidence-based techniques and therapies, this approach is designed and administered by board-certified addiction psychiatrists and physicians, and shown to work for 84% of patients, as opposed to traditional 12-step programs that work for 50% at best.

CONTACT US
Three column stats: 8% Recovery Rate, 5000 patients treated, and 1:5 Clinical staff to patient ratio.

Call today and get help. Our hydromorphone addiction treatment experts are here for you.

1.800.388.4601

Treatment options for hydrocodone addiction

Most people who become addicted to hydromorphone (which is commonly prescribed under the brand names Dilaudid and Exalgo) require inpatient drug rehab to safely stop taking it.

Here, they can benefit from starting with a supervised medical detox (or withdrawal stabilization) program overseen by board-certified medical professionals who can monitor their health. They may also be prescribed certain anti-addiction medications, such as Suboxone, which can help with the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms and intense cravings many people experience.

The detox process is not a cure for hydromorphone addiction, in fact, it’s just the first step. Once a patient is stable, they can begin fully participating in our comprehensive treatment program that uses proven behavioral therapies in conjunction with personalized psychological treatment designed to address the underlying reasons they started using.

This integration of pharmacological, behavioral, and psychological treatment has proven to be the most effective way to restore normal function to the brain and lead to positive lifelong outcomes.

Behavioral therapy for opioid addiction can be administered in a residential or outpatient setting after withdrawal stabilization. A typical treatment plan may include:

  • Medication Management using anti-addiction medications
  • Individual counseling
  • Group therapy
  • Family therapy sessions
  • Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
  • Supportive Outpatient Programs (SOP)
  • Maintenance Outpatient Programs (MOP)
  • Holistic treatment services

A range of treatment options based on you

Each person’s path to addiction is unique with different neurological, emotional, social and environmental contributing factors. That’s why the Enterhealth journey to recovery is personalized to meet individuals and families where they are. Whether you need immersive inpatient care or outpatient treatment, we offer a range of evidence-based treatment options and innovative therapies.

Enterhealth is the only facility with highly trained on-site addiction specialists, including PhDs, MDs and Master’s Level Therapists, who coordinate care at every stage. Because we understand the science behind addiction, we are best equipped to assess and treat individuals and families. Contact us to see why we’re the only facility with an 84% success rate.

RESIDENTIAL

PROVIDING A HEALING PLACE FOR NEW BEGINNINGS

Enterhealth Ranch offers inpatient care that’s on your side, not on the clock. It’s a nurturing environment where treatment is highly personalized and intensified. Every patient has a private room and 24/7 access to addiction trained specialists who use evidence-based treatments and comprehensive care, including medical detox, in-depth medical and psychological assessments, individual and group therapies, life skills and more.

LEARN MORE
Enterhealth Ranch and man with coffee mug looking into distance.

OUTPATIENT

PROVIDING EXCELLENCE IN YOUR CONTINUUM OF CARE

Enterhealth’s Outpatient Center of Excellence, conveniently located in the Park Cities, is expertly staffed with board-certified addiction specialists. Our comprehensive program is designed for continued recovery care and provides individuals and families the support they need to reconnect with each other and thrive in recovery.

LEARN MORE
Man and women talking in therapy session with Enterhealth Outpatient Center of Excellence sign.

ALUMNI

FINDING CONNECTIONS TO STRENGTHEN RECOVERY

The Enterhealth Alumni Association offers a unique opportunity for our patients to continue and thrive in their recovery by building relationships through shared experiences. This one-of-a-kind support environment provides a nurturing space where participants can gain understanding, learn from others and continue to rebuild their lives.

LEARN MORE
Silhouettes of people with sunlight in the background and man on phone looking at a laptop.

CORPORATE SERVICES

SUPPORTING EMPLOYEES IN THEIR RECOVERY

Recovery is one of the most important benefits you can give your employees. Enterhealth provides comprehensive, evidence-based residential and outpatient programs and continued 24/7 technological support with Enterhealth Connect. It’s a tool employees can use to access expert care that fits their schedule for online consultations with highly trained addiction specialists, dynamic content including blogs, podcasts, videos, and continuously updated tools and resources that will aid in their recovery journey.

LEARN MORE
Man holding black-rimmed glasses, and women looking into distance from behind a window.

How Enterhealth Makes a Difference

“FPO – When I first arrived here, I truly believed I would never be able to function without drugs or alcohol, nor be happy in general ever again. My family did not know how to help me. After being here, I’m a happier person. Laughter comes naturally. I’m repairing relationships I thought were irreparable.”

Hanna (former Enterhealth patient)

Father hugging sun with sunset in background.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hydrocodone Addiction

What is hydromorphone?

Hydromorphone is a prescription pain reliever is usually used to treat moderate to severe pain, and it’s usually found in formulations that combine it with acetaminophen, or Tylenol.

Hydromorphone is a semi-synthetic opioid compound derived from the opium poppy flower. These kinds of compounds bring relief by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, which changes the user’s perception of pain and triggers a release of dopamine, a feel-good neurotransmitter that produces euphoria.

Due to the role it plays in the ongoing opioid epidemic, hydromorphone prescriptions are now more regulated than in the past. However, it continues to be widely prescribed and still finds its way onto the street where it’s purchased illegally.

What are the side effects of hydromorphone addiction?

Even when taken correctly, opioids like hydromorphone can lead to a number of side effects, including:

  • Lightheadedness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Constipation
  • Skin rash
  • Itching
  • Sweating
  • Loss of appetite
  • Constipation
  • Dry mouth
  • Headache

It’s critical to understand that these side effects, as listed, don’t necessarily reflect the reality of addiction. Hydromorphone tolerance can lead to users taking such high amounts of these drugs that the side effects become extreme.

For example, nausea is a common side effect of many medications, but those addicted to hydromorphone may take so much that they vomit but continue taking the drug.

How do you know if you or someone you love is addicted to hydromorphone?

Hydromorphone abuse and addiction (referred to clinically as opioid use disorder) starts when someone starts taking the medication for the high rather than to relieve pain, and as users consume more of the drug over time, the body will become physically dependent on the drug.

As physical dependence sets in, users require more of the drug to get the desired effects, and when it’s not present in their system, they will start to experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. In addition, opioids like hydromorphone can also produce a psychological addiction, leading to things like anxiety and cravings for the drug because of the way they affect the brain’s reward system.

Common behaviors associated with hydromorphone addiction include:

  • Taking more than the prescribed dosage
  • “Doctor shopping” for multiple prescriptions
  • Tampering with pills before taking them
  • Taking pills in any way other than orally

When someone is addicted to hydromorphone but unable to access the drug, they may look for ways to buy it illegally. Even worse, cravings for hydrocodone may even lead the user to cheaper, easier-to-find alternatives like heroin.

What are the symptoms of hydromorphone withdrawal?

Even if it’s taken as directed by a physician, patients can develop a physical dependence on hydromorphone, and long-time users will experience opioid withdrawal symptoms if they simply stop taking it.

The symptoms of opioid withdrawal are highly unpleasant and are one of the main reasons people continue using even though they know they are harmful – one of the major indicators of addiction.

Opioid withdrawal symptoms can include:

  • Restlessness
  • Yawning
  • Sweating
  • Tearing eyes
  • Runny nose
  • Chills
  • Muscle and back aches
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Irritability, anxiety
  • Dilated pupils
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Increased heartbeat or breathing

These problems are going to vary in severity and duration and depend on factors like the specific dose taken and the duration of use.

How do you treat hydromorphone withdrawal?

Detoxing off hydromorphone (a process also called withdrawal stabilization) involves using longer-acting opioids such as Suboxone as a substitute for the shorter-acting drugs of abuse. This stabilizes the patient and reduces their withdrawal symptoms as they slowly taper off the substitute.

Patients usually experience the most discomfort during the first one to three days of the opioid withdrawal phase. During this period, additional medications may include a combination of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen, as well as a mild sedative.

How do anti-addiction drugs help with opioid withdrawal?

Suboxone (buprenorphine with naloxone) is a medication used to treat opioid addiction, and it works by activating the same opioid receptors in the brain as hydrocodone, but without producing the same euphoric high. This makes it safer and means it doesn’t contribute to addiction like other short-acting opioids do.

As a result, patients report that these kinds of mediations help by reducing cravings and easing many of the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms so they can actively participate in their treatment program while they taper off the Suboxone.

How long does it take to detox from hydromorphone?

Usually, by the end of day three on Suboxone, a patient’s withdrawal symptoms and opioid cravings have almost completely subsided, and they are ready to proceed fully in their treatment program.

Can you overdose on hydromorphone?

Overdose is a real possibility with any opioid drug, including hydrocodone. Prescriptions are written for specific people in specific doses, and the effects can have adverse reactions in others. Taking too much hydrocodone can result in a life-threatening overdose.

What are the symptoms of a hydrocodone overdose?

  • Trouble breathing
  • Cold and clammy skin
  • Fast heartbeat or chest pain
  • Extreme drowsiness leading to coma
  • Circulatory collapse
  • Heart attack

How do people abuse hydromorphone?

The most common way that people abuse hydrocodone involves tampering with the pills so that the medication absorbs into the body faster, which produces a more intense and immediate high. Methods include crushing, chewing, and snorting pills.

Is hydromorphone a controlled substance?

Yes. hydromorphone is labeled by the DEA as a Schedule II controlled substance due to its addictive properties, so possessing and taking the medication without a prescription is a crime, as is sharing, giving away or selling it.

*State standard is 1:10 clinical staff to patient ratio