(1) Old English phoulcat (foul cat). Originally a reference to the fitch, the wild ancestor of the domesticated ferret, because of their ability to emit a foul smelling spray when frightened. (2) Later, used in North America as a reference to the skunk. Both are actually not cats, but members of the weasel family, Mustelidae.
The symptoms of withdrawal can last for a few days up to a few weeks. It really is dependent on each person and their personal addiction. The most common withdrawal times usually last somewhere between a week and 14 days.
Tramadol withdrawals last longer than those of opiates and follow the withdrawal syndrome length of antidepressants. Tramadol has a relatively short half-life that helps to explain the severity of the withdrawals frequently experienced by patients. Tramadol should be tapered slowly to minimize withdrawal symptoms. Yet even with a gradual taper, many complain that the symptoms are debilitating and interfere with every aspect of life.