Darvocet Withdrawal

Darvocet is an opioid pain reliever that was used in the past to treat mild-to-moderate pain. It possesses a chemical structure similar to methadone, and it may cause discomfort during the withdrawal phase. At one point throughout the United States, physicians prescribed it for millions of patients, but they discovered the adverse effects caused by Darvocet, in addition to its addiction potential. 

Due to the harmful effects of Darvocet use, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took action and banned it from being used by doctors. Doctors welcomed this decision after many years of studies proving how dangerous the drug was; unfortunately, however, it remains available on the black market for as little as two dollars per pill. Despite the warnings, many people abuse the substance, which leads to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

What Are Darvocet Withdrawal Symptoms?

Although Darvocet is less potent than opioids like oxycodone, those who abuse the substance will likely experience devastating effects that derail your life. If you try to abstain from the drug, it will be challenging to do so on your own despite its weaker characteristics. If you stop using cold turkey, you will deal with symptoms that could push you to the brink of relapse. Medical professionals encourage anyone experiencing a Darvocet addiction to seek medical help immediately. 

Darvocet withdrawal is not fatal when compared to barbiturate or benzodiazepine withdrawal, but due to the varying effects from one person to another, it can be unpredictable. For that reason, your best defense to safeguard your life is to check-in to a medical detox program. 

The most common symptoms you should expect during Darvocet withdrawal include:

• Restless leg syndrome
• Cravings
• Lethargy
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Insomnia
• Flu-like symptoms
• Stomach cramps
• Sweating
• Mood changes
• Hallucinations
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Shaking

You are likely to encounter overwhelming drug cravings on top of the symptoms described above. When you combine these symptoms with drug cravings, abstaining without professional help is nearly impossible. 

Stages of the Darvocet Withdrawal Timeline

If you wish to stop using Darvocet, it’s imperative to understand withdrawal symptoms are based on characteristics unique to each person. The length of time your symptoms last, how severe they could end up, and what happens moving forward varies among those in recovery. While one person can overcome these obstacles in a few days, others may wrestle with severe symptoms that last for weeks, months, or in some cases, up to a year or more. 

Some of the other factors influencing your withdrawal experience include:

• Your standard dose of Darvocet
• Physical health
• Tapering schedule
• How Darvocet is consumed (i.e., smoking, snorting, or ingesting orally)
• Age
• Co-occurring mental health disorders
• If other drugs or alcohol is used in conjunction with Darvocet
• Substance abuse history

A general Darvocet withdrawal timeline goes as follows:

• 1-2 Days: You will start noticing your first set of symptoms around 10 to 14 hours after your last dose, which includes sweating, fever, vomiting, cravings, and muscle aches.
• 3-5 Days: You will reach the peak of your symptoms at this point, but they will gradually subside moving forward. You should expect chills, body aches, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.
• 6+ Days: The symptoms will gradually decrease at this point, but psychological symptoms can remain for months in heavy users. In some cases, they can last years.

Should I Detox?

Medical detox is vital to overcome Darvocet addiction. If you seek long-term abstinence from opioids, or other drugs and alcohol, you must commit to this first and most crucial step. Abrupt cessation will not cause death, but the intensity of withdrawals is amplified if you are alone.

What Is the Next Treatment Step?

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recommends a client stays in treatment for as long  as possible. Only a licensed medical professional can determine your next treatment step, but you are likely to be committed to residential or outpatient treatment. All cases are determined on a person by person basis. 

Sources

Flynn, P. M., & Brown, B. S. (2008, January). Co-occurring disorders in substance abuse treatment: Issues and prospects. from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2200799/

Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (n.d.). FDA recommends against the continued use of propoxyphene. from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-drug-safety-communication-fda-recommends-against-continued-use-propoxyphene

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Principles of Effective Treatment. from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/principles-effective-treatment

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). 8: Medical detoxification. from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/teaching-packets/understanding-drug-abuse-addiction/section-iii/7-medical-detoxification

Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. (n.d.) Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). from https://www.semel.ucla.edu/dual-diagnosis-program/News_and_Resources/PAWS