How Long Does Dilaudid Stay in Your System?

Dilaudid (Hydromorphone) is a type of narcotic utilized for moderate or severe pain-related conditions. If you are taking the drug, you may be thinking about how long does Dilaudid last in the body. Learn about the Dilaudid drug test detection time, internal and external factors that affect drug processing, and how to get help for substance use disorder.

Last Edited:

03/28/2022

Dilaudid, with the generic name hydromorphone, is a narcotic substance used to address pain. It is commonly used orally or as an injectable to reduce pain in cancer, post-surgery, and chronic pain problems. If you are prescribed the medication and are about to take a drug test, you may be wondering about how long does Dilaudid stay in your system.

Does Dilaudid Show Up In A Drug Test?

Dilaudid or hydromorphone belongs to a class of drugs that are easily detected in screenings when taken recently. Also considered as opioid analgesics, Dilaudid drug tests can determine if the person has recently taken the drug through a urine, saliva, or blood sample.

Of course, the time of drug detection all depends on many factors such as the Dilaudid half-life based on dosage taken, the person’s height, weight, and metabolism, as well as other conditions that affect drug processing. Given that all factors are considered typical, there are also average timelines where Dilaudid will show up in drug tests.

How Long Does Dilaudid Stay In System: Average Drug Test Timelines

How long does Dilaudid stay in your blood?

If you will be taking blood extraction as part of your drug test, it is best to wait longer than 2 days to increase the chances of showing a negative. Dilaudid shows up for up to 48 hours in a blood drug test.

How long does Dilaudid stay in your urine?

Urine is the most common drug screening tool for employment, applications, and other checks needed for formal purposes. Dilaudid will be present in the urine for up to 5 days since the last dosage. Factors on how long is Dilaudid detectable in urine can also change depending on the intake of water, other medications, as well as the person’s metabolism.

How long does Dilaudid stay in your saliva?

Some drug tests will also require saliva samples in conjunction with urinalysis. In this case, the drug will be detectable for up to 4 days since the last use.

How long does Dilaudid stay in your hair and skin?

Hair and skin samples are less common, but they can be asked for in-depth tests. Traces of Dilaudid can be detected in hair and skin for up to 3 months since the last intake of the drug.

The timelines above suggest the typical length of time for drugs to be completely processed in the body given that other factors are considered average. However, these timelines can also be affected if you have other notable factors that can change how you process the drug.

Factors That Affect Dilaudid Metabolism In The Body

  • Height and weight: A person’s height and weight are indicative of their metabolism as well. People who are taller and leaner tend to process the drug more quickly, while people who are shorter and with a higher BMI may tend to process the drug slower than others.
  • Health conditions: There are also conditions that can affect drug processing, such as metabolic disease, kidney or liver illness, circulatory problems, and other diseases that can alter drug metabolism.
  • Metabolism: A person’s overall metabolism is determined by how robust their digestive, circulatory, and excretory system processes the drug. People’s metabolism is genetically determined and can widely vary from person to person.
  • Other substances: Some substances can also affect Dilaudid metabolism. If you are taking other drugs, supplements, or a unique kind of diet, these can also skew your chances of having typical drug detection timelines.

Signs of Dilaudid Abuse

More than passing a drug detection test, a pressing health issue that one needs to look into is the abuse of Dilaudid. Since the drug is known as a controlled substance because of the high risk of abuse for those who take the medication, some people who take Dilaudid regularly may already be considered suffering from addiction.

Below are the signs that indicate Dilaudid abuse:

  • Feeling agitated until one takes the next dose
  • Increased spending on the drug
  • Going from doctor to doctor to get prescriptions of the drug
  • Larger doses than originally intended
  • Increased frequency of intake than originally intended
  • Purchasing Dilaudid in illegal distributors
  • Mood and behavioral changes
  • Increased sedation
  • Changes in physical appearance (pale skin, weight loss)
  • Lack of interest in previous occupations

If you notice these symptoms of Dilaudid in yourself or a loved one, it is best to seek help right away. Continuous abuse of Dilaudid can pose a risk of a life-threatening overdose.

How To Get Help For Dilaudid Abuse

Seek a specialized rehab center

A high-quality rehab center that specializes in opioid abuse can help you get started on the right track. You can verify your insurance at no cost and ask questions you may have about getting into addiction treatment. Addiction specialists can also guide you on how to finance your rehab if insurance is not an option.

Let trusted family and friends know about your decision

If you have decided to get help for Dilaudid abuse, it can also be helpful to let trusted family and friends know about your journey. They can be a source of support and accountability as you go through rehab or seek resources for substance use disorder.

Reach out to local resources

Unsure of where to start? You can begin by reaching out to local resources such as Narcotics Anonymous, church groups, and other community support centers that help with addiction problems. As you wait for things to get settled as you seek formal addiction treatment, you can go through your community’s local resources for immediate help.

Dilaudid Drug Detection, Abuse, and Recovery

You may have initially come to this resource to find ways on how to test negative for Dilaudid. True recovery goes beyond passing a drug test–by seeking professional help for substance use disorder, you can regain your health and life once and for all.

Sources

  1. Medlineplus.gov – “Hydromorphone”.
  2. Scientiadx.com – “6 Different Kinds of Drug Tests”.

Medical disclaimer:

Sunshine Behavioral Health strives to help people who are facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions. It does this by providing compassionate care and evidence-based content that addresses health, treatment, and recovery.

Licensed medical professionals review material we publish on our site. The material is not a substitute for qualified medical diagnoses, treatment, or advice. It should not be used to replace the suggestions of your personal physician or other health care professionals.

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