Signs of an Overdose and What to Do if One Occurs
Signs of an Overdose and What to Do if One Occurs
Learn How to Recognize an Overdose
Drug overdose represents a severe and life-threatening condition. An overdose can happen at any time after taking a drug. Someone who has been addicted to drugs for years or takes the substance for the first time can experience an overdose. Knowing the signs of an overdose can help you identify when someone is in trouble and needs immediate medical assistance.
The fact is, drug overdose is the leading cause of death for people in the U.S. under the age of 50. If you or a loved one becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol, you should seek treatment at a reputable rehab like JC’s Recovery Center in South Florida. In our faith-based rehab, you will receive Christ-centered support combined with evidence-based treatments to help you manage your addiction and prevent relapse and overdose.
What Is a Drug Overdose?
An overdose can be intentional or accidental. It occurs after taking too much of a substance regardless if it is an over-the-counter drug, prescription medicine, or illicit drug. Sometimes an overdose occurs after a person takes multiple substances that, together, lead to this potentially deadly health emergency.
An overdose can lead to life-threatening health complications, and it can cause injury to the body or brain. People can react differently to an overdose depending on their own chemistry, the drug in question, and the amount of the drug they’ve taken.
The risk of an overdose remains particularly high with illicit or street drugs because the individual doesn’t know the strength or precise content of the drug they’re ingesting. In many instances, street drugs are laced with other illicit or powerful drugs compounding the impact, while also heightening the risk for overdose.
By learning about the signs and symptoms of a drug overdose, you can better prepare yourself to help someone in need of medical assistance.
Signs of Overdose: What to Look Out For
Some drugs can cause specific overdose symptoms. Knowing them can help you to identify the potential signs of an overdose early on. These symptoms affect different parts of the brain that, in turn, impact various areas of the body. Some common overdose symptoms to be aware of include:
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Increase in temperature
- Rapid heart rate
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizures
- Dilated pupils
- Aggression
- Blue fingers or lips
- Gurgling sounds
- Cessation of breathing
If you recognize any of the signs and symptoms of an overdose, either in yourself or another, it’s essential to get medical help. Overdose symptoms can progress in severity and may cause serious health complications, even death if left untreated.
What to Do If an Overdose Occurs
In the case of an overdose, the first step is to call for emergency medical assistance immediately. While waiting for emergency services to arrive, try to keep the individual awake. Ask questions and encourage them to talk if they’re able. If they’re not breathing or struggling to breathe, turn them on their side. If you can stay on the phone with emergency services, follow their first aid advice. If you’re qualified, you may be asked to provide CPR. If the individual is coherent, try to find out as much information as possible so you can relay it to emergency technicians when they arrive. Try to find out what drug they took and the amount.
What to Do After an Overdose
Surviving an overdose means being given a second chance at life. If you or a loved one overcomes this health emergency, it is important to seek substance addiction treatment immediately because an overdose can happen again. Use your new chance at life to make a healthy change, enter a treatment program to receive the therapy needed to achieve lasting sobriety. JC’s Recovery Center can help you manage your addiction with our commitment to faith and evidence-based treatments.
JC’s Recovery Center attracts people from all over the country who crave healing and a better life. Our addiction specialists treat the mind, body, and spirit to target the root causes of addiction. We are based in Hollywood, Florida, and our treatment center offers multiple treatment programs allowing us to tailor our treatments to each individual’s needs. Contact us at 844-524-6873 today to learn more about how we can help you.