When a person consumes too much of a drug and/or alcohol, the body becomes overwhelmed by the toxic substance.
The person may not be mentally aware of their surroundings or what is happening to them.
An overdose is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment. The individual faces the possibility of dying as their organs become damaged and their body begins to progressively shut down.
Overdose: Accidental or Intentional
According to WebMD, overdoses can be caused by either accidental overuse or intentional misuse.
An accidental overdose is most common in very young children from the time they learn to crawl up to the age of about 5 and adults that are mentally impaired. These groups may accidentally swallow medication that was left where they could reach it. Senior citizens and adults that take many different medications are also at risk for accidental overuse. They can take the incorrect medication or take the wrong dose of a medication by mistake.
An intentional misuse of drugs that results in an overdose occurs as the result of trying to get high or making a suicide attempt. These are sometimes referred to as purposeful overdoses.
An Overdose Can Occur Anytime to Anyone
Since each person is affected by drugs differently, there is no way to know the specific amount of a drug that will result in an overdose. This means that there is no way to predict when, or if, an overdose will occur.
An overdose can happen to anyone, whether they are trying a drug for the first time or are a long-term user.
- Long-term substance abusers build up a tolerance to drugs over a prolonged period of time. They continually increase their dosage over and over again trying to achieve the same, or higher, high. Eventually, the dosage will be enough to cause an overdose.
- New users that have never tried drugs before often do not know how much to take. If they are trying the substance with a friend that is experienced with the drug, taking the same dosage may be toxic to the new user.
- A long-term user that has received treatment and relapses faces a greater risk of overdosing. If the person takes the same dosage they did before they became sober, their body may not be able to handle that amount after months or years of being in recovery.
Additional contributing risk factors to a possible drug overdose include:
- The person’s overall physical and mental health
- The specific drug or drugs
- The amount taken
- Method used to take the substance
Prescription drug overdoses can depend on the sensitivity of an individual to a particular medication. One person’s body may not be able to handle a dose that is medically acceptable, while another person has no trouble with the same dose.
Symptoms of an Overdose
The symptoms of an overdose depend on the type of drug and amount taken. However, common symptoms include limited or no breathing, trouble staying awake, loss of consciousness, the inability to visually focus, and uncontrolled or jerky movements.
Depressants, such as heroin and other opiates, completely sedate the user. If a person uses too much and falls asleep, it is possible for his respiratory system to shut down completely. On the other hand, an overdose of cocaine makes the user feel extremely stressed and anxious.
Most Common Drugs Associated with an Overdose
The following are the most common drugs associated with overdose:
- Opioid prescription pain relievers
- Sedatives
- Antidepressants
- Over-the-counter drugs such as acetaminophen
- Heroin
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamines
- Ecstasy
- Drug combinations
An Increasing Number of Overdoses from Synthetic Opioids
According to an article in The New York Times by Sheila Kaplan, drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death to Americans under the age of 50. Ms. Kaplan quotes Dr. Andrew Kolodny, director of opioid policy research at Brandeis University, who said, “We have roughly two groups of Americans that are getting addicted. We have an older group that is overdosing on pain medicine, and we have a younger group that is overdosing on black market opioids.”
Josh Katz of The New York Times tells of overdoses of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and carfentanil that are so strong that first responders are using 12 to 14 doses of Narcan with no effect. Overdose deaths from these dangerous synthetic drugs are skyrocketing. In 2016, these drugs were responsible for roughly 19,400 deaths—more than 30% of all fatal overdoses. During the same year, prescription painkillers caused about 17,000 deaths and heroin accounted for approximately 15,000 deaths.
Don’t Wait for an Overdose to Take Action
Although an overdose can serve as a wakeup call that inspires a person with a substance use disorder to seek treatment, early intervention is always the best policy. If you recognize the signs of addiction in a loved one, Canyon Vista Recovery Center can help. We provide evidence-based addiction treatments and holistic therapies in a safe and supportive environment that sets the foundation for a lasting recovery.
