Darvocet Abuse

Darvocet addiction rehab center

Darvocet is a narcotic painkiller with the active painkilling components propoxyphene and acetaminophen. The tablets come in doses that range from 30 mg to 650 mg, and abusing the drug can cause severe disruption to your life due to its physical and psychological side effects. If you or someone you know struggle with addiction to Darvocet, you should consider seeking out professional help from a Darvocet addiction rehab center in FL.
Call to get help now
darvocet addiction

There are various street names for Darvocet. These include:

  • D
  • Dillies
  • Yellow Footballs
  • Pink Footballs
  • 65s
  • Ns

Brand names of the drug include:

  • Propacet 100
  • Darvocet
  • Darvocet-N
  • Balacet
  • Darvon
  • Dextropropoxyphene
  • Propoxyphene

Darvocet can be taken orally, dissolved in water, injected or crushed and snorted.

What Was Darvocet Originally Prescribed For?

darvocet addiction

Darvocet is a form of narcotic painkiller that was prescribed for reducing fever, as well as for treating mild to moderate pain before it was removed from the U.S. market back in 2010.

Although the actual manufacturing of the pills has been stopped, it is still available on the black market due to the sheer volume that was created during the time period the drug was in production.

Why Has Darvocet Been Withdrawn From the U.S. Market?

The drug, which was used by as many as 10 million Americans in 2009 alone, to treat mild to moderate pain conditions was removed from the American market at the request of the FDA in 2010. This was due to evidence that even therapeutic doses of the drug could lead to serious heart toxicity, among other problems.

The FDA concluded that the risks of Darvocet far outweighed the benefits, as studies showed that the changes the drug made to the heart increased the risk of abnormal heart rhythms. The FDA recommended that:

  • Medical professionals discontinue prescribing and dispensing all drugs containing propoxyphene.
  • Healthcare professionals contact all patients taking Darvocet medication and ask them to stop using them.
  • Doctors tell patients about the risks associated with propoxyphene.
  • Doctors discuss different pain management strategies with their patients.
  • All unused propoxyphene be safely disposed of.

Although Darvocet has been discontinued from manufacturing, it’s still available on the black market, and some patients who were prescribed the drug years ago may also still have some supplies in their medicine cabinet.

Opiate painkillers like Darvocet are incredibly dangerous.

In fact, Darvocet is so dangerous that taking it within two weeks of taking an MAO inhibitor can lead to life-threatening side effects. What’s more, women who take Darvocet while pregnant can do irreparable damage to their unborn babies. The unborn child can experience addiction symptoms as well as severe breathing problems. Help is available 24/7 call our Darvocet addiction treatment center in FL for a free personal consultation 800-338-5770

Is There a Connection Between Darvocet and the Rise in Heroin Abuse?

As Darvocet is no longer available by prescription, users addicted to the drug often turn to heroin to get their next fix when they struggle to find Darvocet. Since heroin is an opioid, the same as Darvocet, moving on to heroin is a natural progression for many addicts. It’s much easier to obtain as well.

Why Do So Many People Turn to Darvocet?

If you’ve been prescribed Darvocet in the past and are still suffering from pain issues or have been taking too much of the drug, you may have become reliant on, or even addicted to the drug. In fact, many people unwittingly find themselves addicted to the painkiller because they don’t realize they’ve been abusing it.

darvocet tolerance

When you began taking Darvocet, you probably didn’t do so to become addicted. However due to the nature of the substance, sometimes it’s unavoidable. After taking it for a while, tolerance sets in, and you’ll need to increase your dose to get the same effects. You then wind up with both a physical and psychological dependence. In other words, you’re addicted.

As the drug is becoming progressively difficult to find, Darvocet abusers have been increasingly turning to other drugs, for example:

  • Darvocet vs Percocet – Percocet is another opiate and is more easily sourced than Darvocet.
  • Darvocet vs Tramadol – Tramadol is another very potent pain-relieving opiate and, just like Percocet has the potential to genuinely help you if you’re in pain. However, it also has a high risk of being abused by some people.

Even when you take the drug as was originally intended, Darvocet can be addictive, very dangerous and can have some very severe health consequences.

Who Typically Abuses Darvocet?

There are many factors that can contribute to your possible development of an addiction to Darvocet. For example:

  • Taking the drug for a physical ailment. Before the drug was taken off the market, a common cause of Darvocet addiction was prescription drug abuse. The user may have been given the drug for a perfectly legitimate reason. As the use of the drug progressed, the user might have taken more than they should or simply didn’t wean off the drug, as per doctor’s instructions.
  • Abusing the drug to get through the symptoms of underlying trauma. The user might have had some difficult circumstances happen and chose to self-medicate with Darvocet to feel better and escape from the feelings and memories.
  • Friends pressuring the user to fit in by taking the drug. If the user’s peers are into drugs, then it’s likely that they’ll want to get others involved, too.
  • Addiction runs in the family. There is a genetic component to addiction that can lead to multiple members of the same family struggling with addiction.
  • Taking Darvocet alongside other drugs to increase the “high.” Users are more likely to become addicted if they recklessly take a combination of drugs to get the best rush.
  • Taking Darvocet in ways it was not intended to be used, such as injecting or snorting it.  When taking Darvocet in this way, it becomes very difficult to keep track of the dosage being used. Therefore, it’s easier to become addicted to it and even accidentally experience overdose that could potentially be fatal.
  • The user may have tried to quit the drug already but have found it too difficult a task. This is all the more reason to seek professional help to quit Darvocet.

If you can identify with any of the above issues, it is possible you are addicted to Darvocet.

How Is Darvocet Abused?

Darvocet is usually taken orally, but it can also be crushed, snorted and injected. The drug should always be used with extreme caution, especially by people who have any of the following conditions:

darvocet tolerance

  • Pancreas or gallbladder disorders
  • Head injury
  • Brain tumor
  • Asthma
  • Sleep apnea
  • Breathing disorders
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Intestinal or stomach disorders
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • History of alcohol or drug addiction
  • Mental illness

While Darvocet is no longer available by prescription, when it was, it should only ever have been taken as your physician directed. It’s important to be aware of the fact that an overdose of the acetaminophen ingredient in Darvocet can damage your liver, and because of this, you shouldn’t abuse alcohol along with the drug. Darvocet and Nyquil should also never be taken together as both contain acetaminophen. In fact, any other drug that contains acetaminophen should never be taken with Darvocet.

darvocet addiction

Darvocet is known to impair reaction time and thinking processes, and it also can make you feel euphoric. It’s important not to drive or to operate machinery while taking the drug. Also, if you inject or snort Darvocet, its effects will come on more quickly than they would by taking the tablets orally.

When you abuse Darvocet, the painkilling properties of the drug are intensified. When you’re hit by this powerful rush, you’ll likely feel amazing. However, afterward comes prolonged sedation. Often people abuse this particular drug as they enjoy the feelings of a fast and euphoric high, followed by extreme relaxation. Unfortunately, the sedation can be so extreme that your breathing slows or stops altogether. Help is available 24/7 call our Darvocet addiction rehab facility in FL for a free personal consultation 800-338-5770

Symptoms of a Darvocet Overdose

When you’re abusing the drug, the danger of overdose increases. Symptoms to look out for include:

  • Nausea
  • Dark urine
  • Vomiting
  • Extreme drowsiness
  • Jaundice
  • Dilated or pinpoint pupils
  • Seizure
  • Confusion
  • Clammy and cold skin
  • Blue lips
  • Uneven or slow heart rate
  • Weak pulse
  • Fainting
  • Shallow breathing
  • Death

If you suspect you or someone you know has taken too much Darvocet, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.

How Does Darvocet Work?

how does darvocet work

The drug works by changing the way your brain interprets pain. This can cause serious negative effects on your mental health, and you may feel:

  • Increased anxiety
  • Mood swings
  • Depression
  • Altered perception of reality
  • Low self-worth
  • Personality shifts
  • Feelings of rage or anger
  • Disorientation or confusion
  • Paranoia

The above symptoms will all depend on how drastic or mild your Darvocet abuse is.

Is Darvocet Addictive?

According to the FDA, Darvocet can cause you to become physically dependent if you take it longer than a few weeks. While the acetaminophen in the drug isn’t addictive, the propoxyphene can cause real problems, especially if you already have a history of substance abuse. If you’re continually using the drug to get high, you’ll eventually find it much harder to stop.

is darvocet addictive

The reason is that propoxyphene disrupts your brain’s biochemistry, making your metabolism adjust to the Darvocet. This then makes your body become dependent on the drug, and when its normal functions are altered, you’ll then become addicted and find yourself craving Darvocet as your central nervous system has learned it needs the drug to function. If you try to stop taking the drug, withdrawal symptoms occur.

As Darvocet is no longer sold legitimately, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to obtain the drug. If you’re finding you are craving it, it’s likely you’re addicted.

What Are the Signs of a Darvocet Drug Addiction?

If you’re concerned about someone close to you having an unhealthy relationship with the drug, there are a number of Darvocet addiction signs you should be on the lookout for. These include:

  • Having the drug in their possession — even though it’s no longer prescribed in the U.S.
  • Combining Darvocet with other drugs to increase the effects
  • Crushed pills
  • Obsessing overtaking their next dose of the drug
  • Stealing Medication
  • Always being short of money
  • Withdrawing from friends and family
  • Spending more time with new drug buddies

Drug addiction is a disease, and there are help and treatment out there. Knowing both the signs and symptoms of being addicted to Darvocet is a start. Help is available 24/7 call our Darvocet addiction treatment center in FL for a free personal consultation Call to get help now

What Are the Symptoms of a Darvocet Drug Addiction?

When you’re caught in the grip of an addiction to Darvocet, it can seem like there is no way out. When you try to cut your usage of the drug down, you’ll begin to feel awful Darvocet withdrawal symptoms, and if you keep on taking the drug, you’ll just crave more. Some of the symptoms you can expect include:

  • Appetite loss
  • Dizziness and unsteadiness on your feet
  • Dry mouth
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Bad headaches
  • Impaired mental functioning
  • Liver damage
  • Altered perception of reality
  • Mood swings
  • Negative body image
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Paranoia

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms above, it’s important to know there is help out there and you can get healthy again. Call us today at 800-338-5770 to take that first step.

What Is Being Addicted to Darvocet Like?

If you can’t stop using Darvocet even if you want to and your urge to take the drug is uncontrollable in spite of the consequences, then it’s likely you’re addicted.

When most users first started taking the drug, they likely didn’t plan on getting addicted. No one would. However, when they feel that first high, they probably loved the feeling and wanted more. They probably also thought at the time that they could control how often they took the drug — that is, until one day they woke up and realized that taking Darvocet is the only way to feel normal.

what is darvocet addiction like

This is an addiction, and it can quickly and silently take over your life.

When you’re addicted, you’ll find your preoccupation with Darvocet is more important than any other need in your life. Cravings can completely consume you and can take priority over everything else in your world. You may find your personal relationships begin to fail and you can’t even make it to work or school on some days.

You may even find yourself stealing from, lying to and hurting those you love to get your next fix. The disease of addiction is so difficult to fight as drugs change how your brain works, and these changes can be very long lasting. You may find you have problems like trouble making decisions and difficulty thinking, in addition to experiencing mood swings and memory loss.

If you’re worried your relationship with Darvocet is unhealthy, ask yourself these questions:

  • Do you experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit the drug?
  • Are you taking more and more of the drug?
  • Have you been experiencing negative consequences to your using?
  • Do you neglect other areas of your life so you can prioritize taking Darvocet?
  • Have you tried to cut down and failed in the past?
  • Are you obsessively preoccupied with Darvocet?

If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, you’re likely addicted, and you need to get help now. Remember, addiction can affect anyone from any background, and it is not a weakness of character.

Does Darvocet Addiction Cause Any Permanent Damage?

It was because of the potentially devastating side effects that the FDA ordered Darvocet to be taken off the market. The risks of using the drug in a medical capacity far outweighed the benefits. Some of these dangers are listed below.

Overdoses, Liver and Other Organ Damage From Darvocet

There have been many accidental overdoses of propoxyphene-containing drugs both alone or in combination with alcohol or other CNS depressants. Many of these fatalities occurred within only an hour of overdosing.

Darvocet can also cause:

damage from darvocet

If you’re currently abusing Darvocet, you need to ask yourself whether these terrible risks to your health are worth it.

How Long Does It Take to Withdraw From Darvocet?

When you’re withdrawing from the drug, you can have Darvocet side effects and symptoms for a few days up to several weeks.

What Are the Stages of Darvocet Withdrawal?

The worst symptoms of Darvocet withdrawal occur within the first few days of your last dose of the drug. However, it can take as long as three weeks or more for some of the symptoms of Darvocet withdrawal to subside.

darvocet withdrawal

If you have a particularly long-term addiction or are a heavy user of Darvocet, you may find that your symptoms are more pronounced than those of someone who is a relatively new or “light” drug user. You can expect to experience the following symptoms during withdrawal:

  • Nausea
  • Shakiness
  • Sweating
  • Cravings
  • Anxiety
  • Paranoia
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea
  • Restless legs
  • Abnormal “crawling” skin sensations
  • Dizziness
  • Body chills
  • Insomnia
  • Respiratory issues
  • Coughing
  • Runny nose
  • Aches and pains throughout your body

You may have already tried to quit Darvocet in the past and have found that these symptoms have just been too much for you to deal with alone. Help is available 24/7 call our Darvocet addiction rehab program in FL for a free personal consultation 800-338-5770. Here, at 12 Keys’ Darvocet addiction rehab center in FL, we offer you all the help and support you’ll need to kick that habit for good.

How Can I Help My Loved One Who is Addicted to Darvocet?

help addicted loved one

An addiction to Darvocet can create so many negative consequences within your life, as well as in the life of your loved one who’s suffering from the addiction.

If you’re thinking of reaching out to help someone who has a problem with Darvocet, you’ll know it’s not easy to try to find the right time and the right words. Often, it can seem easier to just turn a blind eye in and hope that the problem will go away. However, addiction is a disease that needs treatment if your loved one is going to recover.

In fact, simply being in denial in terms of your loved one’s drug problem will further prevent them from being able to appreciate the extent of their problem, as well as the potential consequences. When someone is caught in the grip of drug addiction, they’re less able to see what’s going on compared to what you see from the outside. So your involvement, as well as the help of other people who love them and professionals, could make all the difference.

There are various things you can do to help your loved one take the first steps toward their new healthy life. These include:

  • Being cautious in your approach. You might be feeling understandably angry and upset with your loved one. However, you need to ensure you approach them in a caring and understanding manner. It’s imperative you’re persuasive but non-confrontational. The whole situation is going to be difficult — there’s no getting around that — so it’s important to keep your cool.
  • Offering your help. Show your loved one you’re concerned about their problem and that you’re completely committed to supporting them in taking positive action.
  • Explaining that they’re ill. It’s all too common for people who have addictions to feel that others perceive them as weak and as having a lack of morals. You need to explain to them that nothing could be further from the truth. Let them know you consider them to be a good person who has a very bad and destructive illness — an illness that can lead to a potentially fatal outcome.
  • Telling them the facts. Using an informative source, like this article, show your loved one the facts about their Darvocet addiction. Further, be specific when telling them about their behavior. Don’t judge or give them your opinion, however. Instead, tell them what they’ve done and how negatively it can affect their life, as well as others.
  • Engaging other friends or family members. Speak to those close to the person and ask those people to get involved, too. Just remind them that they need to be gentle rather than leading a mass assault on your loved one.
  • Showing tough love. It’s easy to blame yourself when you’re searching for answers to your loved one’s Darvocet addiction problem. You might be thinking you drove them to it, or that you should have spotted the signs earlier. Nothing could be further from the truth. The responsibility lies solely with them.

darvocet addiction

With these ideas in mind, it’s important for you to help your loved one understand that the only way they can get better from this illness is to completely abstain from the drug and that you’ll support them through this. No matter what, though, it’s hard knowing that someone close is struggling with an addiction to Darvocet. If you feel you need more help, call our Darvocet addiction rehab center in FL today for answers.

Do Co-Occurring Disorders Exist Alongside Darvocet Addiction?

When you’re suffering from substance use and a mental health disorder simultaneously, it’s known as having a co-occurring disorder. If you’re experiencing both, know you’re certainly not alone. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health, released by SAMHSA in 2014, indicated that around 7.9 million adults in America were suffering from co-occurring disorders in that one year alone.

When you have a mental disorder, you’re more likely to experience a substance use disorder, and these co-occurring disorders can be very difficult to diagnose as the symptoms of both can be incredibly complex. In fact, often you might receive treatment for one issue, leaving the other one undiagnosed. This is why it’s so important to find a treatment center that specializes in dual diagnosis treatment.

It’s known that if you’re suffering from undiagnosed, undertreated or untreated co-occurring disorders, you’re more likely to experience problems such as thoughts of suicide, homelessness, incarceration, physical illnesses, and even premature death.

Common co-occurring disorders that may exist alongside Darvocet addiction include:

  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depression
  • Schizophrenia
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
  • Personality disorders

Battling an addiction while suffering from a mental health issue is hard. However, with the right help and Darvocet addiction treatment, you’ll be able to move forward.

Dangers of Quitting Darvocet Without Assistance

Darvocet can cause dependence, and this can lead to addiction, even if the drug is only used for a few weeks. This is why it’s important not to stop taking the drug suddenly, as the withdrawal symptoms could be very intense and uncomfortable. This could easily lead to relapse, which, of course, is something you don’t want to happen.

It’s far safer to get professional help to quit the drug, as professionals can make withdrawal both safer and more comfortable.

How Do You Safely Detox From Darvocet?

Remember, your body has become used to and utterly dependent on Darvocet to function.

Because of the severe withdrawal that can be associated with suddenly quitting the drug on your own, it’s important to detox from Darvocet with the help of a team of professionals.

darvocet addiction symptoms

How Is an Addiction to Darvocet Treated?

We know that withdrawal symptoms can be very difficult to deal with. When these are accompanied by an intense craving for Darvocet, we understand why you’re finding the thought of quitting to be so worrying.

Thankfully, we have many years of experience with helping people through situations similar to yours. In fact, many of our professional and highly qualified staff members are recovered addicts themselves and have a thorough understanding of what you are going through.

Having said that, no two individual’s addiction journeys are exactly the same. This is why we fully tailor every aspect of your Darvocet abuse treatment plan to suit your own specific needs.

Your treatment will begin with detox. Once the Darvocet is out of your system, your customized recovery program that addresses your lifestyle, physical and psychological issues begin. As you incorporate 12 step care into your life, you’ll begin to feel stronger and better able to cope with life’s issues.

Our recovery model is one for life, not just for a few months, and you’ll find that we help you learn and relearn all the skills you need to live life again. With this in mind, we provide you with an aftercare plan that’s tailored to your own personal lifestyle.

If you feel your problem with Darvocet has gone too far, and that you need help now, contact us in full confidence today.

Choosing a Darvocet addiction treatment center

Aside from the importance of not trying to detox from Darvocet on your own, what are the other reasons you should enter a drug recovery treatment center? Everyone will have their own specific requirements when looking for the perfect place for them, and you probably have some ideas in mind, too. However, generally speaking, you need to look for:

  • Type of program. Choosing a program that incorporates the 12 steps will give you the best chance of achieving long-term recovery, as these are programs for life.
  • Location. This is a very personal choice as you may want to be close to friends and family when you’re in treatment. On the other hand, you may want some space from people in your life who have contributed to your addiction issues.
  • Aftercare. The mark of a less-than-ideal treatment center is one that just gets you in and out, not caring about your aftercare. All reputable and professional treatment centers will offer at least some form of aftercare for you when you’ve completed their program.

darvocet addiction recovery

How to Get the Most out of Your Darvocet addiction rehab program

It’s true that the best and safest way to withdraw and recover from your Darvocet addiction is to do so in a drug recovery treatment center. However, remember that withdrawing from Darvocet is just the first stage of getting healthy again. Remember to:

  • Approach your journey with the right attitude. Try to surround yourself with positivity — you’re on a new journey toward getting healthy again — this is wonderful, though it won’t always be easy. Trying to remain positive even during those tough times is going to be one of the keys to a successful recovery.
  • Try not to let the past drag you down. Yes, you may have tried to quit and failed in the past, but this does not mean you’re a failure. Quitting drugs is one of the most difficult things you’ll ever do, and if you want it enough, you’ll succeed!
  • Take things at your own pace. Just because you’ve been through detox, doesn’t mean that the whole process has been completed. In fact, there is so much more challenging, and lifelong work to come. Take each day a step at a time, and never be afraid to ask for help.

By choosing to challenge and defeat your Darvocet addiction with the help of our supportive and empathetic staff here, you’ll have the opportunity to regain full control of your life. Help is available 24/7 call our Darvocet addiction rehab center in FL for a free personal consultation 800-338-5770. In fact, there is no better feeling on earth than knowing you are on the road to wellness and balance, and you have the continued support you need for as long as you need it.

Get The Help You Deserve From Our Darvocet Addiction Rehab Facility In Florida

At 12 Keys’ Darvocet addiction rehab center in FL, we are here to help you make the changes you’re dreaming of. We will help you build and sustain a new life free from the specter of drugs. Our holistic approach is one that’s second to none, and together we can get rid of that drug habit. Contact us today to get started on kicking your Darvocet addiction to the curb.

The Addiction Blog

Testimonials