Dilaudid and oxycodone are both extremely addictive drugs because they are both opioids. Unfortunately, there is a serious issue in the United States today with opioid addiction, and the best way to make a change is to seek professional help. Call 800-442-6158 Who Answers? today to learn more.
Opioid Abuse and Addiction
Dilaudid and oxycodone both have a high addiction potential when abused.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there were an estimated “2.1 million people in the United States suffering from substance use disorders related to prescription opioid pain relievers in 2012.”
This number has since increased, and while opioid addiction has become such a serious problem, some drugs are considered more addictive and more dangerous than others. For example, fentanyl (which is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine) is only meant to be prescribed to those who are already dependent on opioids.
Sadly, many individuals abuse these dangerous drugs and even those who start out taking them as prescribed sometimes end up misusing them later on. This is because opioids cause intense dependencies when taken frequently and because they can cause euphoria and relaxation, two desirable effects that lead many individuals to start misusing their medications.
Dilaudid vs. Oxycodone: Which Is More Addictive?
All opioids have the potential of causing an addiction syndrome, but as stated above, some can be more dangerous than others. However, Dilaudid (a brand name drug containing hydromorphone) and oxycodone (a generic opioid drug) are extremely similar and just as capable of causing addiction if misused.
Hydromorphone is slightly stronger than oxycodone, which makes many people believe Dilaudid is a much more addictive drug. According to the medical journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, though, hydromorphone is only “modestly more potent,” making both drugs just as likely to cause an addiction syndrome if taken in a way other than prescribed.
How Do I Protect Myself Against Addiction?
Remembering that all opioids no matter how mild are potentially addictive is extremely important to protecting yourself against a substance use disorder. Therefore, you must remember to
- Never take more of your medication than you are prescribed.
- Never take your medication more often than you are prescribed.
- Never take your medication longer than you are prescribed.
- Never take your medication in a different way than you are prescribed.
- Never take someone else’s medication.
- Never buy or obtain an opioid medication without a prescription.
Whether you are taking Dilaudid or oxycodone, you should always live by these rules in order to avoid putting yourself in a position where you could become addicted to an opioid drug. Never underestimating any type of medication that is only meant to be taken under a doctor’s orders is essential to protecting yourself against addiction, whether to oxycodone or Dilaudid.
Begin Recovering from Your Substance Use Disorder Today
Begin a safe, effective journey through recovery when you seek a rehab center that offers the care you need in order to put an end to your substance abuse once and for all. Call 800-442-6158 Who Answers? now to learn more about your options.
