Darvocet, a drug once used to treat mild-to-moderate pain, has a chemical structure similar to that of methadone. Because of those similar characteristics, Darvocet is uncomfortable during the withdrawal phase. It was associated with harmful effects to the millions it was prescribed to for many years.
Once Darvocet was approved and released into the general population, it was met with opposition from the medical community because of its harmful effects. After years of physicians’ resistance, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took the steps to effectively ban Darvocet. The medical community was ecstatic with the decision they worked so hard to make a reality.
Doctors are no longer allowed to prescribe the drug, but it is still available on the black market and is popular in some areas of the country. Darvocet can be found online for as little as $2 per pill, and despite the medical community’s ban, it is fighting to remain relevant in the drug world. If there is still a demand for a substance, someone will likely find a way to exploit the market.
Darvocet is much weaker than OxyContin or Norco, but if someone were to overdose on it, they would be dead in less than an hour. As an opioid, despite its low strength, it can still cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that make people very sick. When it is compared to heroin or fentanyl, the side effects are much less intense, but it still requires medical treatment to overcome Darvocet withdrawal effectively.
What Are the Darvocet Withdrawal Symptoms?
If you or a loved one has been abusing Darvocet to the point of dependence or addiction, you should expect withdrawal symptoms to be present if you run out of Darvocet or attempt to stop using it cold turkey. Despite it being much less potent than other opioid drugs, the symptoms will increase the intensity if you try to stop all at once, especially if you try to go about the process alone.
Medical professionals strongly encourage you to seek treatment and stop Darvocet on a tapering schedule with physicians. Withdrawal can be unpredictable, and having those who are trained for emergencies present will be your best line of defense.
The most common withdrawal symptoms from Darvocet include:
- Sweating
- Stomach cramps
- Flu-like symptoms
- Cravings
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Restless leg syndrome
- Insomnia
- Mood changes
- Appetite loss
- Seizures
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Shaking
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- A feeling of bugs under the skin
- Confusion
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Hallucinations
Intense drug cravings will also be a part of the withdrawal process, and when you combine that with the many other uncomfortable symptoms, it makes it nearly impossible to achieve your goal of getting sober without help.
Despite Darvocet being more dangerous than other opioids, it is not nearly as deadly as benzodiazepine or alcohol withdrawal. However, it can be challenging to overcome. Opioid withdrawal is not easy to battle on your own. Those who go about detox alone are more likely to relapse. Medical detox is your best bet when trying to conquer active Darvocet addiction.
What Are the Stages of Darvocet Withdrawal Timeline?
It’s vital to be aware of the differences we all possess as human beings and understand how they affect the timeline. These differences will contribute to how long withdrawals last, the severity of the symptoms, and what people experience during withdrawal. While one person can get through the withdrawal process in a few days, another person could experience severe withdrawals for more than a week.
Other factors that can determine how long or severe withdrawal include:
- The route of administration (snorting, smoking, ingesting in pill form)
- The strength of your usual dose
- Co-occurring mental disorders
- Substance abuse history
- Age
- How long you’ve been using Darvocet
- Physical health condition
- Taper schedule
- If you’re using other drugs in conjunction with Darvocet
The following is a general Darvocet withdrawal timeline:
- 1-2 days: The first symptoms will be felt in 10 to 14 hours after your last dose. The most common early symptoms include nausea, sweating, vomiting, fever, muscle aches, and cravings.
- 3-5 days: During this time, your symptoms will peak, which means you will feel the worst on a few of these days before the symptoms begin to fade. You are likely to experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, body aches, and chills.
- 6+ days: The sixth day is typically when physical withdrawals begin to disappear, but psychological symptoms are likely to remain and be present for months, and in some rare cases, years.
Should I Detox?
Addiction care specialists strongly encourage undergoing medical detoxification for Darvocet dependence and addiction. If you are taking
your sobriety seriously and wish to achieve long-term abstinence from Darvocet or other drugs, you must commit to the first step. Abrupt cessation is not deadly, but the intensity of withdrawal can be amplified when done alone.
During the time spent in detox, professional clinicians will help prepare you for a life away from Darvocet. The program will often provide you with medications that help alleviate withdrawal symptoms and make the process much more comfortable. It will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
What Is The Next Treatment Step?
Some may believe that once the drug has left their body, they can manage sobriety. Unfortunately, that is not true. Further therapy is needed to address the reasons why you started abusing Darvocet. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) encourages clients to remain in treatment for as long as possible to achieve meaningful recovery.
In detox, clinicians will assess your needs and place you at the facility that best meets your needs. Depending on the severity of your addiction, you could be placed in residential or outpatient treatment. Addiction treatment should offer therapies that support your current needs.
To maintain sobriety, you must also involve yourself in support groups that help you focus on your goals long after treatment ends.
