Drug Overdose Signs and Treatment

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. Some signs, however, are more common than others. 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.

What Is a Drug Overdose?

Also commonly known as an OD, an overdose occurs when someone ingests a larger dose of a drug than the body can handle. Overdoses often happen accidentally, even when someone takes a drug as prescribed.

Overdose Statistics

The Centers for Disease Control have reported an increase in the number of deaths from overdoses

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), annual rates of death from overdose of synthetic opioids such as tramadol and fentanyl have increased five-fold since the early 2000s. Part of this increase may have to do with the potency of synthetic opioids. For example, the CDC indicates that fentanyl, a man-made opioid, is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.

Why Overdoses Happen

Drug overdoses can occur for a number of reasons. These include:

• Misusing prescription medications: Overdoses sometimes occur because people misuse their prescribed medications or do not follow their doctor's instructions carefully. Accidentally taking more than one dose, taking more than the prescribed amount, or taking other medications that interact with a substance can lead to an overdose.
• Illicit drug use: When people consume illegal drugs, they have no way of knowing for sure how much a particular drug is contained in the dose they receive. And in some cases, illicit drugs are mixed with other drugs that a person may not know about.
• Relapsing after a period of abstinence: Taking a substance after a period of abstinence can also lead to an accidental overdose. Once a person stops taking a substance, their tolerance level decreases. If they suddenly take the same dose they were previously taking, they may overdose.

Accidental overdoses are less common with prescription drugs, because the strength and dosage are known, and the physician provides instructions regarding the appropriate amount. However, accidental overdoses of prescription drugs can occur at times of confusion or forgetfulness, if the person has experienced extreme weight loss, or if they have discontinued or reduced the usual dose since the drug was originally prescribed.

Signs of an Overdose

Signs of an overdose can vary depending on the substance and amount a person has taken. Here are the most common:

• Loss of consciousness
• Vomiting
• Confusion and drowsiness
• Cool, clammy skin
• Pinpoint pupils
• Choking or gurgling sounds
• Difficulty breathing
• Changes in heart rate

Substance-Specific Signs

Some signs occur more frequently with certain substances than others.

Opioid overdose: Clammy skin, limpness, slowed breathing, decreased heart rate, small pupils, vomiting, and unconsciousness

Depressant overdose: Confusion, slowed or stopped breathing, loss of consciousness, and coma

Stimulant overdose: Rapid breathing, fever, fast heartbeat, extreme changes in blood pressure, convulsions, paranoia, and coma

Alcohol overdose: Slow breathing and heart rate, slower reflexes, confusion, decreased body temperature, and seizures

What to Do If You Suspect an Overdose

If someone appears to have overdosed:

• Administer naloxone as soon as possible if available and call 911. Tell the operator what substances you think the person has ingested.
• Keep them awake and encourage breathing.
• Do not leave the person alone.
• Roll them onto their side to prevent them from choking on vomit.
  

Treatment for an Overdose

Medical personnel may pump the person's stomach to eradicate the substance and administer activated charcoal or medicines to counteract it. They will also monitor the patient's vital signs and work to improve them, if necessary. 

Preventing Overdoses

These strategies can help prevent overdoses:

• Keep prescription medications out of the reach of children and pets.
• Speak frankly with your healthcare provider if you have a substance dependence or addiction; they can recommend treatment options to help minimize your risk of overdose.
• Ask about medications that might reduce drug cravings.
• Join a support group.
• Stay current on treatment options that support long-term recovery.