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FDA’s Approval for Hydrocodone Drugs Causes Concern

Straight Hydrocodone Pills & Concern Over FDA Approval - Resurgence - A spilled-over pill bottle with straight hydrocodone pills falling out of it.

FDA Raises Concerns Over Straight Hydrocodone Pills Approval

In 2014, the FDA approved straight hydrocodone pills under the name Zohydro.

This seemingly routine approval was anything but normal.

Their approval gave rise to worries about serious and widespread hydrocodone addiction.

There were concerns due to the overall addictive nature of this kind of opioid.

Concerns were so great that some called for the resignation of the commissioner at the time.

Immediate Placement in Rehab for Hydrocodone Addiction

What are Straight Hydrocodone Pills?

Hydrocodone is a potent painkiller and is part of the opioid family of drugs.

These drugs are similar to other hydrocodone products but much stronger.

Many of us are familiar with painkillers like Vicodin or Norco.

While even these drugs can lead to hydrocodone addiction, they are nothing compared to straight hydrocodone pills.

Vicodin and Norco contain hydrocodone in addition to other pain relievers.

The most common secondary ingredients are ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Straight hydrocodone pills do not contain these other ingredients.

Instead, they deliver the minimum amount of the opioid to the user.

Learn More About Hydrocodone Rehab

Hydrocodone Addiction

The reality of hydrocodone addiction is a common sight these days. No matter where someone is from or what their job is, they can fall victim to hydrocodone addiction. Any drug addiction can be hard to spot, but hydrocodone addiction hides in plain sight. Since painkillers with hydrocodone are so common, people assume it is okay. At the same time, many people do not realize there are straight hydrocodone pills. The increased use of opioid painkillers has made addiction more of an issue. They are so common, making it easy for many hydrocodone addicts to get deeper into addiction.

The Reality of Hydrocodone Addiction

A hydrocodone addiction might begin with a few extra painkillers here and there. Soon, however, it spirals out of control. Some may think it always leads to harder drugs, but this is not the case. Even if heroin addiction does not happen, they will almost certainly need to get pills on the black market. Once someone is obtaining any drug from the black market, all safety measures go away. A dealer can easily fashion a pill with any ingredient, including lethal doses of fentanyl. They can then make it look like any drug they want. When that happens, it does not matter if someone is new to the drug scene, or they have years of involvement. A lethal dose is a lethal dose.

Hitting Rock Bottom With Hydrocodone

Plenty of people in recovery will tell you there are fates worse than death, and addiction is one of them. Addicts will go to any lengths to satisfy their needs. Addiction is not a choice based on free will. It is something that becomes overpowering to the person in the grips of addiction. Decisions and choices that would horrify that person in their sober state become no big deal thanks to addiction. Stealing from family and friends and committing petty crimes are daily activities. Rock bottom for someone struggling with hydrocodone addiction can run the gamut. You may be able to spot a stereotypical addict who is begging for money or shoplifting at the local store. But what about the soccer mom who visits four doctors and seven pharmacies in a day? Simply put, hydrocodone addiction can – and does – happen to anyone.

The Prevalence of Drugs and Alcohol in Popular Music

In 2010, a team from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine investigated lyrics of popular songs. Their study, titled “Content Analysis of Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drugs in Popular Music,” analyzed the lyrics of more than 250 songs. Each song they chose was commercially popular and featured on the Billboard 100. Their findings included some startling details.

  • Of the 279 songs analyzed, 33.3% depicted substance use or abuse.
  • There was an average of 35.2 substance references per song-hour.
  • These references were in pop, rock, R&B, country, and rap.
  • 23.7% depicted alcohol use.
  • 13.6% depicted marijuana use.
  • 48% of songs with drugs or alcohol references include peer pressure.
  • 43% of the songs associated with sex with drug or alcohol use.
  • Only 4% of the songs contained messages against the use of drugs and alcohol.
  • 68% of the songs portrayed drug and alcohol use with positive consequences.

Researchers determined the average adolescent heard roughly 84 references to drug or alcohol use per day. While this did vary depending on genre, no genre of music protected abstinence or drug refusal.
A similar study from Northwestern University took a close look at alcohol in pop music. The study examined the lyrics of popular artists and songs to visualize alcohol references. Each song or artist had several songs in the Top 100. Researchers were surprised at the findings overall and the concentration of alcohol mentions in the Billboard 100 hits.

Common Obstacles to Treatment

Dealing with hydrocodone addicts can be a challenge. Many of them have the perception they can never get out from under the drug. After all, when someone has a routine prescription, it is hard to imagine escaping it completely. Those who realize there is a problem and know they need help often hit another roadblock: Pride. Since anyone can become addicted to straight hydrocodone pills, people who are not your ‘typical’ addicts often worry about entering recovery. Those concerns amplify when they think about entering inpatient drug rehab. What will the neighbors think? What will family or friends say when they find out? These concerns may seem superficial, but anxiety and depression are often a part of addiction. These mental health issues can make it hard for people to see that help is not just available; it is essential.

Hydrocodone Addiction Treatment

There are plenty of obstacles in someone’s journey to accepting treatment. But once they do, everything changes. Treatment through a reputable agency such as Resurgence Behavioral Health is key. This level of care includes everything and begins with physical support to withstand withdrawal symptoms. From there, we add psychological support to break the cycle of addiction. Successful hydrocodone addiction treatment may include a medicated withdrawal protocol. In these cases, a drug helps the person get past the initial issues of withdrawal to gain strength. Therapy is another important part of hydrocodone addiction treatment, as it is with most forms of drug rehab. There is no set treatment because each person is unique. They need to have a hydrocodone addiction treatment plan tailored to their specific needs.

Treatment with Resurgence Behavioral Health

The staff at Resurgence Behavioral Health understand a person is more than the reality of their addiction. Our compassionate, caring, and qualified staff know the intricacies of addiction and the best ways to treat people in need. At the same time, we understand people want clear and honest answers. We strive every day to deliver uncompromising honesty and quality of care to every guest. That means working to help people from the moment they call and ask about help, no matter the situation.

Insurance Verification

Resurgence Behavioral Health accepts most major insurance carriers. Of course, different companies offer different levels of coverage. Our team of insurance verification experts can help in several ways. First, they help you understand the benefits you have with your current coverage. Then they can translate that into what it means in terms of help. Learning if your carrier covers in or outpatient, ongoing therapy, and other benefits is empowering. It is also one way we strive to give control and empowerment back to our guests from Day One.

Free Insurance Verification for Hydrocodone Rehab

Help is Here … Right Now

There is no shame in asking for help through drug rehab and addiction therapy.

The reality is quite the opposite.

Bravery is not about what you are willing to put up with to survive the reality of today.

Instead, it is about the work you are willing to put in to have a brighter tomorrow.

The staff at Resurgence Behavioral Health is here to help today and committed to helping through every tomorrow.

We have the training, expertise, and compassion.

Just bring the desire for a brighter future.

David Rofofsky
David Rofofsky
After growing up in New York, David chose to get help with substance abuse in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than nine years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for eight years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. David remains passionate about the field because he understands how hard it is to pick up the phone and ask for help. However, once the call is made, someone's life can be saved.


Research | Editorial

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