Dilaudid Abuse Addiction - Transformations Treatment Center. Dilaudid is an opiate pain killer in Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act. Dilaudid is the brand or trade name for hydromorphone, a powerful opioid painkiller. It is a semi-synthetic derivative of morphine and has similar pain-relieving effects, and also a similar potential for abuse and misuse. However, Dilaudid is about eight times more potent than morphine. Often, patients that are allergic to morphine can take Dilaudid with no problem, but there is still a high risk for allergic reaction. Dilaudid (Hydromorphone) has a high psychological and physiological potential for abuse and addiction and explains why it is placed in Schedule II. How Does Dilaudid Work? Dilaudid or Hydromorphone works like other opioid painkillers by binding to opioid pain receptors in the brain and central nervous system to change the way the brain perceives pain.
How Is Dilaudid Taken Or Used? Commercially, Dilaudid is available in 2mg., and 4 mg. tablets and as an oral liquid. Lifestyle changes: Help.org.