Dilaudid is an analgesic narcotic with an addiction liability similar to that of morphine. It is apparent within 15 minutes and remains in effect for more than 5 hours. Dilaudid is approximately 8 times more potent on a milligram basis than morphine. Often called "drug store heroin" on the streets. Dilaudid inhibits ascending pain pathways in Central Nervous System. It also increases the pain threshold and alters pain perception.

Dilaudid addiction is common place in today's society and can happen to anyone. The individual who has formed an addiction to Dilaudid will start out with a legitimate ailment and become addicted. When individuals who have formed an addiction to Dilaudid are unable to get legitimate prescriptions for Dilaudid they resort to what is called doctor shopping. The addict will see many doctors and pretend to be sick to obtain their drug of choice. Sometimes individuals who have an addiction to Dilaudid become addicted by someone turning them onto Dialudid and they end up liking it. Dilaudid is psychologically and physically addictive.

Withdrawal symptoms from Dilaudid can occur four to five hours after the last dose. The symptoms from Dilaudid withdrawal usually last 7 to 10 days. Users may respond to the pain of withdrawal by taking another dose without realizing they have become addicted.

Dilaudid addiction withdrawal symptoms include but are not limited to:

• severe anxiety
• insomnia
• profuse sweating
• muscle spasms
• chills
• shivering
• tremors
• restlessness
• yawning
• gooseflesh
• restless sleep
• irritability
• anxiety
• weakness
• twitching and spasms of muscles
• kicking movements
• severe backache
• abdominal and leg pains
• abdominal and muscle cramps
• hot and cold flashes
• nausea
• anorexia
• vomiting
• intestinal spasm
• diarrhea
• repetitive sneezing
• increase in body temperature, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and heart rate