Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Recognize Overdose Signs Early: Knowing the signs can save someone’s life.
- Take Action Immediately: Learn what to do if someone is overdosing.
- Virtue Recovery Center Offers Support: Our addiction treatment programs help with recovery and prevent future overdoses.
Introduction
An overdose can happen when someone takes too much of a drug or mixes substances, and it can be life-threatening. Knowing how to spot the signs of an overdose and acting fast could save a life. Whether it’s from opioids, alcohol, or stimulants, recognizing the symptoms is essential. In this article, we’ll go over common signs of an overdose and what to do if you think someone is overdosing. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, getting professional addiction treatment is the next step toward addiction recovery and preventing future overdoses.
Common Signs of an Overdose
The signs of an overdose can look different depending on the drug, but some common symptoms are:
- Slow or Shallow Breathing: The person may struggle to breathe or have prolonged breaths. In some cases, they may stop breathing altogether.
- Pale, Bluish Skin or Lips: The skin may appear pale and have a bluish tinge, particularly on the lips and the tips of the fingers.
- Unconsciousness or Unresponsiveness: The person may be unconscious and not wake up even if one shakes him or her, or it may take a very long time to do so.
- Choking or Gurgling Sounds: This happens when breathing becomes difficult, or the person starts to vomit.
- Confusion or Dizziness: The person may appear disoriented, have difficulty expressing himself or herself, or even walk.
If you notice any of these signs, you must get help immediately. Acting fast may help prevent serious outcomes or even death.
Overdose Symptoms by Substance
Different substances can cause different overdose symptoms. Here’s what to watch for based on the type of drug:
- Opioids (like heroin, fentanyl, or prescription painkillers): Pinpoint pupils, slow or stopped breathing, and unconsciousness.
- Alcohol: Vomiting, slow breathing, cold or clammy skin, and passing out.
- Stimulants (like cocaine, meth, or ecstasy): Fever, tachycardia, convulsions, or anxiety.
- Benzodiazepines (like Xanax or Valium): Some symptoms include excessive sleepiness, disorientation, slow rate of breathing, and lack of coordination.
Each substance affects the body differently, so it’s essential to know the signs based on the person’s actions. In any case, an overdose is a medical emergency, and help is needed immediately.
What to Do If You Suspect an Overdose
If you think someone is overdosing, it’s essential to take action quickly:
- Call 911 Right Away: Tell them it’s an overdose and describe the symptoms. The faster medical help arrives, the better the chances of survival.
- Try to Keep the Person Awake: If the person is not fully unconscious, try to make the person stay conscious and alert until help arrives.
- Perform Rescue Breathing: If the person has stopped breathing, try rescue breathing if you know how. The 911 operator can also give you instructions.
- Use Naloxone (if available): If the overdose is from opioids and you have naloxone (Narcan), then give it right away. This can counteract the effects of an opioid overdose.
Do not leave the person alone until the medical professionals come to attend to him or her. It can be the difference between life and death, and you will be able to act fast.
Why Overdoses Happen
Overdoses can happen for a variety of reasons, including:
- Taking Too Much: Some people take higher doses of drugs, not realizing how dangerous it can be. This is especially risky with vital substances like fentanyl.
- Mixing Substances: Combining opioids with alcohol or benzodiazepines is dangerous because all three depress the central nervous system and slow down the breathing and heart rate.
- Relapsing After Sobriety: If a person in recovery falls back, they may take the same amount they took before they decided to quit, and this may be too much for the body after some time of not taking the substance.
Knowing the causes of overdoses can go a long way in ensuring that they do not happen in the future, and this is especially the case when the right addiction treatment is sought.
Addiction Treatment After an Overdose
An overdose is a clear sign that professional addiction treatment is needed. After an overdose, it’s crucial to get help to prevent another one from happening. Addiction recovery programs like those at Virtue Recovery Center can provide medical care, therapy, and support to help people overcome addiction and avoid future overdoses. Detox and rehab programs help the body and mind heal, offering a fresh start in life.
Treatment often includes:
- Detox: Minimising the risk of withdrawal symptoms as the substance is eliminated from the body.
- Therapy: Addressing the emotional and mental challenges of addiction through counseling and support groups.
- Long-Term Recovery Support: Follow up to make sure that the patient does not revert to his or her previous behavior and stays on the right path of not consuming alcohol.
Thus, by getting help for addiction, people can break the chain of addiction and avoid further overdoses.
Conclusion
It is crucial to be able to identify the symptoms of an overdose and respond as fast as possible to prevent the death of the patient. It is essential to know what to expect, whether it is shallow breathing, pale complexion, or simply passing out. If you or your friend or family member has recently had an overdose or has an addiction problem, it is crucial to turn to specialists. It is possible to overcome addiction, and with the right help, you can create a better life for yourself and live without drugs.
Call Virtue Recovery Center at 866-461-3339 to learn more about our addiction treatment programs and how we can help you or your loved one recover after an overdose.
FAQs About Overdoses
What are the common signs of an overdose?
Some symptoms include slow or shallow breathing, unconsciousness, a blue color on the skin, and confusion. The symptoms may differ depending on the drug being used.
What should I do if someone overdoses?
Call 911 immediately. If possible, try to make the person stay conscious and breathe, and if you have naloxone for an opioid overdose, give it as soon as possible.
Can you recover from an overdose?
Yes, many people recover from an overdose if they receive medical help quickly. However, getting addiction treatment is vital to preventing future overdoses.
Why do overdoses happen?
Overdose is defined as taking more of a substance, taking more than one drug, or using the substance after some time of not using it.
How does Virtue Recovery Center help after an overdose?
We provide a comprehensive range of services, including detoxification, counseling, and aftercare services, to ensure that the patient does not relapse and can return to his/her daily routine.
Resources
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/drug-overdose
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/sapb/Pages/Signs-of-Overdose.aspx
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/opioids/overdose.html
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- About the Author
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Gigi Price holds licenses as a Master Social Worker and Clinical Drug Counselor. She completed her master’s degree in Social Work at Texas State University. Over the last decade, Gigi has been dedicated to utilizing evidence-based practices to enhance patient care and treatment planning, resulting in positive, long-term outcomes for patients and their families. Her passion lies in creating a treatment environment where professionals collaborate to bring about positive change and provide a safe, trustworthy therapeutic experience. Patients can be confident in receiving top-quality care under her leadership.
In her role as the Clinical Director of Virtue Recovery Houston, Gigi conducted research to identify the most effective approaches for treating patients with acute mental health diagnoses, PTSD, and Substance Use Disorder. She then assembled a team of skilled clinicians who could offer various therapeutic modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Somatic Exposure, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Gigi takes pride in overseeing the development and implementation of Virtue Houston’s Treatment Program, which includes two specialized therapeutic curricula tailored to the unique needs of individuals struggling with mental health issues, addiction, and PTSD.
