Understanding, Surviving and Preventing Overdose
August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day, a day when people around the globe remember those lost to overdose in the proper light.听
鈥淒rug use used to be considered a character problem鈥攁nd it is too often still thought of this way,鈥 says Richard Alan Friedman, M.D., professor of Clinical Psychiatry and director of the Psychopharmacology Clinic at 茄子直播. 鈥淎ddiction is a brain-based problem. It鈥檚 not character weakness.鈥听
The Source of Overdose听
Overdosing happens when you ingest more drugs than your body can process. It can occur with illegal drugs, prescription opioids, alcohol and even over-the-counter pain relievers.听
Though some overdoses occur on purpose, overdosing also happens by accident and may occur with adults or children. According to the , overdose causes include:听
- Mixing opioids with alcohol or other medications听
- Taking an extra dose of medication听
- Using medication prescribed to another person听
Is It an Overdose?听
If an overdose is left untreated, your organs can shut down, which can result in permanent damage or even death. Recognizing an overdose sooner can save a life.听听
Symptoms that may indicate an overdose include:听
- Body temperature that drops or rises听
- Breathing that stops, speeds up or slows down and weakens听
- Cold or clammy skin听
- Confusion or hallucinations听
- Dilated or constricted pupils听
- Loss of consciousness or difficulty remaining awake or speaking听
- Nausea or vomiting听
- Pale or blue skin听
- Seizure symptoms, such as body stiffening, drooling or uncontrollable twitches听
- Tremors听
Emergency Overdose Care听
Call 911 anytime you suspect an overdose. If the affected person breathes slowly or stops breathing altogether, perform CPR. Administer over-the-counter Narcan if you suspect the overdose is linked to opioids.听
Narcan is a fast-acting nasal spray medication. Sprayed in the nostril, it stops the overdose鈥檚 effects. As helpful as Narcan is, its effects don鈥檛 last long. Therefore, you should always seek emergency medical care for overdose treatment鈥攅ven if Narcan works.听
鈥淣arcan keeps people alive,鈥 says Jonathan Avery, M.D., vice chair for Addiction Psychiatry, Stephen P. Tobin and Arnold M. Cooper associate professor in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and director of the . 鈥淚t gives them an opportunity to get treatment in programs like the one we have at 茄子直播.鈥澨听
Along with Narcan, emergency overdose treatments include:听
- Activated charcoal听
- Fluid administration through an IV听
- Laxatives听
- Medication听听
- Ventilator or other breathing assistance听
Help Preventing Overdoses听
Those who experience one overdose are at higher risk for a second. Proper care helps reduce the risk for those living with substance use disorders.听听
Services that may help manage substance use disorders and prevent overdoses include:听
- Detoxing from addictive substances听
- Individual and group counseling听
- Medication听
- Outpatient addiction treatment听
- Psychiatric treatment听
- Vocational recovery听听
On Wednesday, September 11, 2024 from 7:00 - 8:00 pm, join our kickoff event for SAFE Conversations, a monthly discussion series on support, advocacy and family education on substance use disorders. In our first conversation, we discuss family impact, hope for recovery and what loved ones should know about substance use disorder. .
Are you or a loved one experiencing addiction?听Find a doctor听at 茄子直播 who can help you reclaim your life.听