Darvocet Withdrawal

Darvocet was a once-popular and widely prescribed opioid medication designed to treat mild-to-moderate pain. It is chemically similar to that of methadone, which is why you might experience withdrawal symptoms due to abruptly stopping your use or during a taper procedure. At one point, Darvocet was given to millions of patients, but it was later found to cause adverse effects, including addiction.

Darvocet’s harmful effects prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to remove the drug from the market, and many doctors welcomed the decision. Despite its dangers, Darvocet can still be purchased illegally through the black market for as much as $2 a pill. Many people still abuse the drug, which could lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and treatment. 

What Are Darvocet Withdrawal Symptoms?

Although Darvocet is not as potent when compared to hydrocodone or oxycodone, you’ll still experience adverse effects that derail your attempts to become sober without detox. If you end up stopping Darvocet “cold turkey,” or abruptly, you might experience withdrawal symptoms that can lead to a relapse. Addiction treatment specialists and medical professionals alike encourage anyone abusing Darvocet to seek medical help immediately. 

Opioid withdrawal is not deadly compared to benzodiazepine or alcohol withdrawal. Still, the process is unpredictable and could have devastating results without proper help. For that reason, it’s in your best interest to immediately seek medical advice if you want to stop using Darvocet.

When going through Darvocet withdrawal, you can expect:

• Drug cravings
• Lethargy
• Stomach cramps
• Sweating
• Vomiting
• Insomnia
• Flu-like symptoms
• Restless leg syndrome
• Diarrhea
• Mood changes
• Appetite loss
• Shaking
• Hallucinations
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Muscle aches

Drug cravings may be the most prevalent symptom throughout the withdrawal process. When you combine it with the other symptoms above, it makes it impossible to stop without help.

Stages of the Darvocet Withdrawal Timeline

If you’re aiming to stop using Darvocet, it’s important to understand that each experience is unique. How long withdrawals last, their severity, and what happens varies from one person to another. While one person can get through the process in a few days, someone else could experience symptoms for more than a week. 

Other factors that influence your withdrawals include:

• Age
• Your standard dose
• How you consume Darvocet
• Taper schedule
• Substance abuse history
• Co-occurring mental health disorders
• Physical health
• If other drugs are used in conjunction with Darvocet

A general timeline is as follows:

• 1-2 days: The onset of your first effects could occur in 10 to 14 hours after your last dose. Symptoms usually include vomiting, fever, sweating, cravings, and muscle aches.
• 3-5 days: Symptoms will reach their peak at this time, and you will feel worse before they gradually fade away. Body aches, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea are prevalent during this period. 
• 6+ days: For the majority, symptoms will start to disappear at this time, but psychological symptoms could prevail for months or years. 

Should I Detox?

You must, at the very least, consider undergoing medical detox to overcome chemical dependency on Darvocet. If you are seeking long-term abstinence from the drug, you must commit to this first and crucial step. Abruptly stopping is not recommended because of the discomfort you’ll experience. 

What Is the Next Treatment Step?

Detox is vital to rid your system of Darvocet, but long-lasting sobriety will not occur without the right help. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) advises that not only should you attend treatment, but you should consider staying for an appropriate amount of time to achieve meaningful progress.

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. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-drug-safety-communication-fda-recommends-against-continued-use-propoxyphene

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

NIDA. 2020, June 19. Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction DrugFacts. from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction

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