A drug overdose can happen to anyone. Whether they regularly used drugs or just experimented once, it is far too easy to use too much. Many individuals feel falsely confident about their ability to control how much they use. In reality, addictive drugs are extremely difficult to control.
How a Drug Overdose Happens
For some people, a drug overdose happens after they stop using. They try to use the same amount as before, but their body is no longer used to it. Other people overdose because they receive drugs that are stronger than what they are used to. In other cases, someone overdoses because they are just trying a drug for the first time.Unfortunately, an overdose can happen to anyone. Across the country, overdoses are constantly in the news. From young teenagers to parents, this problem strikes individuals of any race, age or demographic.
Which Drugs Are Responsible for Overdoses?
The human body is not made to take drugs. When someone begins using, their body tries to adapt to drug use. Over time, it needs more and more drugs to achieve the same high. This makes a drug overdose more likely to happen.
While an overdose can happen with just about any drug, there are a few that are more common. Cocaine, alcohol, heroin, OxyContin, Vicodin and club drugs can all lead to an overdose. At the very least, they can cause severe side effects. The most dangerous drugs are often the ones that cause sedation, slowed heart rates and slowed breathing.
What Does an Overdose Look Like?
Depending on the drug and the individual’s physical chemistry, the symptoms of an overdose can vary. Someone who is using sedating drugs like heroin may seem sleepy or could even turn blue as oxygen stops flowing through their body. A stimulant drug may cause side effects similar to having a heart attack.
While the symptoms can vary, there are a few common signs that someone needs medical help.
The symptoms of an overdose include:
- Vomiting
- Agitation
- Slow or difficult breathing
- Violent behavior
- Convulsions
- Pupils that stop responding to light
- Unresponsiveness
Getting Help
If someone is experiencing an overdose, it is important to get medical help right away. There are medications and care that can help prevent major problems. For the medical care to be effective, individuals must get help right away.
After getting emergency medical care, patients can start drug addiction treatment. Some of the program options available include:
- Dual diagnosis care
- Intensive outpatient programs
- Sober living
- Outpatient rehab
- Individual and family therapy
- Drug and Alcohol Addiction education
No one has to live with the pain of an addiction. With the right care, you can overcome your addiction and live a healthy life. To find out how you can conquer your addiction, call Steps to Recovery today at 866.488.8684.
