Drug Overdose: Signs, Symptoms, Effects, and Treatment

Medical attention is necessary to address both the physical and behavioral health conditions that are experienced during a stimulant overdose. Individuals can overdose, either intentionally or accidentally, on virtually any drug. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 450,000 people died from overdoses involving any type of opioid from 1999 to 2018.

With the right care and prevention strategies, it is possible to treat drug overdoses or prevent them altogether. The signs and symptoms of overdose are different for each type of drug (e.g., alcohol, common prescriptions, heroin, cocaine, and other hard drugs). For example, alcohol overdose causes slow heart rate, lack of motor skills, and an inability to wake up. Substances to combat the actions of the drug may be administered, such as naloxone in the case of opioid overdose or n-acetylcysteine for acetaminophen overdose.

If someone can not breathe or is not breathing enough, the oxygen levels in the blood decrease and the lips and fingers turn blue- this is called cyanosis. This oxygen starvation eventually stops other vital organs like the heart, then the brain. If you suspect someone may be overdosing, do not leave them alone.

• Drug overdoses claimed the lives of 500,000 people from 2000 to 2014.
• Support groups allow the patient to meet people who are in different stages of recovery.
• 2 Overdoses can be and often are, fatal if not treated by medical professionals immediately.
• An emergency-medicine specialist in a hospital’s emergency department treats a drug overdose.

Two examples are carbon monoxide poisoning and mushroom poisoning. 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. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. Alcohol poisoning is not uncommon for those who consume multiple alcoholic beverages a day over time. The first step when responding to an overdose of any kind is to contact emergency services.

What Are the Risk Factors for Drug Overdosing?

Anyone experiencing symptoms of an overdose should seek emergency medical care immediately. Addressing a substance use disorder can help decrease the chance of a drug overdose. To avoid an alcohol overdose, avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol in a short time.

Following their overdose treatment, patients need to go through detoxification to manage their withdrawal symptoms and slowly expel the drug from their system. Doctors should subsequently recommend them to the appropriate level of treatment so they can receive continued care. There has been a 439 percent increase in heroin overdose deaths from 1999 to 2014. Large alcohol intake prevents the body from effectively clearing alcohol from the bloodstream. This magnifies the side effects of alcohol and can lead to incoordination or clouded judgment.

Getting help for a drug problem is obviously the best way to prevent overdose in the first place. If you or a loved one needs help with substance abuse, you can get help with addiction, reclaim your life and get clean. Not all overdoses are fatal or life threatening, however medical advice should always be sought if overdose is suspected or has occurred. It reverses an opioid overdose by blocking the effects of opiates.

Perform Rescue Breathing

The substance that has been taken may often be determined by asking the person. 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. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. With both types of drugs, someone may appear to become groggy or incoherent, finally drifting off into a slumber they can’t be awakened from.

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. 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. Once you or your loved one receives medical treatment and is stabilized, it’s time to consider seeking help for drug or alcohol abuse. An overdose is a huge sign that substances have taken control of your life and you likely need professional help for alcohol or drug addiction.

The substance used

Though not as common as the other substances on this list, it is still something to be aware of to ensure proper care is provided as needed. Stimulants refer to a broad category of substances, with the most well-known being methamphetamines, cocaine, crack cocaine, and amphetamine-based ADHD medications (Adderall). Stimulants generally have a quick onset once they are consumed, and the effects usually wear off quickly as well. This pattern often results in continued use that grows over time, which can lead to overdose events. Depending on the type of substance, there are many different symptoms of an overdose.

Signs and Symptoms

The appropriate number of pills depends on the person and their medication. If you have children in the house, make sure that all medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, are kept well out of reach. If you notice that someone is unresponsive and is having difficulty in breathing after taking a drug of any kind, call 911 immediately. If there are any concerns about content we have published, please reach out to us at There is only a small difference between the maximum daily dose of paracetamol and an overdose, which can cause liver damage.

Tests and treatments

If the underlying addiction is left untreated, the risk of overdose arises again. Patients require a full treatment plan to prevent relapse and lead them to a substance-free life. And if you or someone you know has experienced a drug overdose, this may indicate the presence of a substance addiction. At the hospital, the medical team can refer you to an addiction treatment program once you’ve been stabilized. Symptoms of a drug overdose vary between substances and it can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between typical side effects of a substance and the signs of an overdose.

If you believe someone is experiencing a drug overdose, please stop reading and seek medical attention.

• Yes, overdosing can be a cause of death, just like a heart attack can.
• 3 If you or someone with you is overdosing, call 911 immediately and check our guide on what to do next.
• Your doctor can monitor your healing, advise on continued treatment (if required) or arrange for further help (referral).
• Purposeful overdoses are for a desired effect, either to get high or to harm oneself.

If it is a legal drug, it may be prescription or over-the-counter. What matters is that the person has taken an amount that causes harm to the body. Once breathing stops, if the person isn’t attended to in a short period of time, the brain and other organs are starved of oxygen. That’s ultimately what causes someone to die of an opioid overdose in most cases. 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.

Accidental overdoses are less common with prescription drugs, because the strength and dosage are known, and the physician provides instructions regarding the appropriate amount. Try to wake the person and provide supportive breathing if possible. If it’s available to you, administer naloxone (Narcan), a drug that can reverse opioid overdose via a nasal spray or injectable dose. To reduce the chance of choking, position the person on their side and stay with them until EMS arrives. Narcan is not meant to be a replacement for professional medical care—rather, it is intended to buy a person time while waiting for first responders to arrive. The cause of a drug overdose is either by accidental overuse or by intentional misuse.

A drug overdose means that an individual has consumed a toxic amount of a substance. According to the National Harm Reduction Coalition, ingesting too much of one or multiple drugs can harm the body. If you use prescription drugs, be sure to use them only drug overdose meaning as directed by your doctor. Do not combine any medications without first asking your doctor if it’s safe.