Overdose: Definition, Signs and Symptoms, Treatment
These resources can help the substance users and their families in the healing and recovery process. Not all overdoses are fatal or life threatening, however medical advice should always be sought if overdose is suspected or has occurred. The time between someone taking a number of drugs that may cause an overdose and potential fatality depends on a variety of factors, including the person’s overall health and age. Fentanyl, for example, can lead to a dangerous overdose much faster than even heroin. Emergency care only ensures that the person does not die from an overdose. If the underlying addiction is left untreated, the risk of overdose arises again.
Using prescription and over-the-counter medication according to the directions provided by the prescribing health care provider or on the packaging are the best ways to prevent overdose. This includes not sharing prescription medications with people for whom they are not prescribed. Recognizing drug overdose signs and learning about treatments can help save lives. Signs and symptoms vary with the substance ingested, the method used, and many other factors, as do the treatments.
If you do choose to use a substance, here are some ways to keep you safer from overdose. Regardless of why the overdose happened, it’s important to treat people who have experienced an overdose with care and dignity. Always seek treatment for paracetamol overdose immediately, even if the person seems well. It is one of the most common medicines taken by young children in an accidental overdose.
Preventing Overdoses
- Doctors should subsequently recommend them to the appropriate level of treatment so they can receive continued care.
- Some adverse drug reactions are not related to the medication’s therapeutic effect but are usually predictable, because the mechanisms involved are mostly understood.
- This can result in critical body systems being unable to function appropriately without medical intervention.
- That dropped to 611 pounds and 760 pounds in February and March, respectively.
- Surviving an overdose is possible with the right intervention, but seeking help for an addiction problem can prevent overdose in the first place.
Some of the typical symptoms of a stimulant overdose can also include teeth grinding, tremors, insomnia, convulsions, chest pains or a tightening of the chest or nausea. An opioid overdose is very dangerous, because within 3-5 minutes without oxygen, brain damage will start to occur. An overdose is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. Always call triple zero (000) if you know or think that someone has had an overdose. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a very successful form of therapy because it targets a specific problem and finds a solution tailored to the problem.
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However, if they will not, or cannot, due to an altered level of consciousness, provide this information, a search of the home or questioning of friends and family may be helpful. If you have children in the house, make sure that all medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, are kept well out of reach. By Michelle PugleMichelle Pugle writes health articles for award-winning websites, as seen in Healthline, Verywell, Everyday Health, and Psych Central. She has a Master’s degree, undergraduate degrees in English and Sociology, a diploma in Holistic Herbal Therapy, and is trained in mental health first aid, anti-violence work, and peer support work. Good Samaritan laws and similar legal protections exist across states to ensure you will not get into trouble for helping someone experiencing an overdose. The DEA said it has seized 119 million deadly fentanyl doses in 2025.
Knowing these can assist you in seeking help and managing an overdose until it arrives. Here’s a review of the common warning signs that a person has consumed potentially harmful drugs in a dangerous dosage. Unfortunately, we continue to experience an epidemic of drug overdoses within the US and across the globe. Overdose-related deaths have increased by 31% from 2019 to 2020, highlighting an alarming spike in what are otherwise preventable deaths. If you or someone you know has a substance use disorder, it is imperative that you understand what overdose is and how to recognize the symptoms of one so you can prevent any further harm and potentially save a life.
- Overdose deaths have increased by an alarming 137 percent since 2000, and it stems from the growing problem of substance addiction.
- The substance that has been taken may often be determined by asking the person.
- By sharing similar experiences, the individuals have a safe and comfortable space to express themselves.
- It’s not always easy to discern the symptoms of a drug overdose and many people may not realize that are experiencing an overdose when it happens.
If you’ve taken more than the recommended amount of a drug or enough to have a harmful effect on your body’s functions, you have overdosed. When an opioid overdose is suspected, naloxone hydrochloride should be administered as soon as possible to reverse the effects of an overdose. Although naloxone is now available over the counter, cost and lack of insurance reimbursement or coverage can prevent those most at risk from accessing it.
The effects of overdose
These reactions tend to be more serious but typically occur in a very small number of people. Affected people may have genetic differences in the way their body metabolizes or responds to medications. A drug overdose is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention. If the person overdosing can get treatment quickly, there is a chance that their life may be saved. Accidental overdoses are less common with prescription drugs, because the strength and dosage are known, and the physician provides instructions regarding the appropriate amount. Once you or your loved one receives medical treatment and is stabilized, it’s time to consider seeking help for drug or alcohol abuse.
What Drugs Do People Overdose On?
Stabilization of the person’s airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs) is the initial treatment of an overdose. Ventilation is considered when there is a low respiratory rate or when blood gases show the person to be hypoxic. The term ‘overdose’ is often misused as a descriptor for adverse drug reactions or negative drug interactions due to mixing multiple drugs simultaneously. A drug overdose is taking too much of a substance, whether it’s prescription, over-the-counter, legal, or illegal.
Suicide prevention
Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Overdosing on a stimulant such as cocaine increases heart rate, temperature, and blood pressure.
This magnifies the side effects of alcohol and can lead to incoordination or clouded judgment. Higher blood alcohol content (BAC) may even cause the individual to black out. While the overdose symptoms of crystal meth are similar to those of other drugs, meth-related overdose victims perspire excessively. The use of benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and Valium, has risen during the past decade, but so have the deaths.
What to do if someone overdoses
The leading cause of drug overdoses today is opioid medications. Stimulants, alcohol, and benzodiazepines can also lead to drug overdose. These and other life-saving measures can help reduce the long-term health effects of drug overdose. For some accidental drug overdoses, the local poison control center may recommend home therapy and observation. Because of the potential for problems after some overdoses, syrup of ipecac or other therapies should not be given unless directed by a medical professional. This type of adverse drug reaction is usually predictable but sometimes unavoidable.
Some adverse drug reactions are not related to the medication’s therapeutic effect but are usually predictable, because the mechanisms involved are mostly understood. For example, stomach irritation and bleeding often occur in people who regularly use aspirin or othernonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The reason is that these medications reduce the production of prostaglandins, which help protect the digestive tract from stomach acid. Examples drug overdose meaning of idiosyncratic adverse drug reactions include rashes, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), anemia, a decrease in the white blood cell count, kidney damage, and nerve injury that may impair vision or hearing.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
In President Trump’s first 100 days we’ve seized over 22 million fentanyl laced pills, saving over 119 Million lives,” Bondi said April 29 on X. Because drug supply and drug use patterns change, policies must be flexible to allow organizations serving people who use drugs to adapt in real time according to local needs. EMedicineHealth does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Exposure to chemicals, plants, and other toxic substances that can cause harm are called poisonings. The higher the dose or the longer the exposure, the worse the poisoning.