Drug Overdose Symptoms & Signs
One of the riskiest complications of continued drug use is an overdose. Many drug-related deaths are a result of overdoses, and it is easy to develop this complication once a person is hooked. Below are some of the things you might want to know about different kinds of drug overdoses, what causes them, and what you can do for treatment.
An overdose happens when a person takes in a toxic or lethal amount of a substance. People may overdose on many things, such as alcohol, prescription drugs, or a combination of drugs. For example, opioid overdoses occur when there are so many opioid drugs in the body that the person cannot handle them. As a result, the person may stop breathing, experience organ damage, or enter a comatose state.
People may experience overdoses when their organs cannot process the substances that go into their bodies, making the items toxic or causing their bodies to overwork themselves as they try to process the substances. Overdoses may limit oxygen supply in the brain and the blood, which may cause damage and death.
It is very important for those who struggle with drug abuse to understand the risks of overdose. Below are different facts about various substance overdoses.
Depressant Overdose
Depressants, sometimes known as downers, are substances that depress the brain and other organs. There are several categories of depressants, such as alcohol as well as drugs known as benzodiazepines (benzos) and barbiturates.
Since depressant overdose inhibits or slows down some bodily functions, people who overdose on depressants may experience symptoms such as:
- Reduced breathing
- Slow heart rate
- Loss of consciousness
- Dizziness
- Fainting
Reduced brain and heart activity may lead to a lack of blood supply, causing severe complications such as:
- Coma
- Brain damage
- Heart failure
- Death
Barbiturates
Barbiturates have been used for their anti-anxiety and anti-seizure capabilities. Two barbiturates include phenobarbital and pentobarbital. The use of barbiturates for medical purposes has declined in recent years. Instead, people are more likely to use drugs known as benzodiazepines (benzos), because they pose a lesser risk of overdose.
Benzodiazepines (Benzos)
Sometimes known as benzos, benzodiazepines are depressant drugs that treat various types of anxiety, convulsions, insomnia, and stress reactions. The drugs are considered safer for short-term use, but long-term dosages may pose a risk for addiction. Common benzodiazepines include diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), and clonazepam (Klonopin).
Sleep Medications
Other types of depressants such as zolpidem (Ambien) as well as eszopiclone (Lunesta) are used by people to help reduce insomnia symptoms. They are sometimes known as z-drugs or z drugs because of the spelling of their names.
Opioid Overdose
Opioids/opiates are a variety of drugs that are derived from the opium poppy plant or are created to resemble opium-based drugs. Some prescription opioids are created using the plant directly. Others may be synthesized to mimic the plant’s components. Opioids are used in the medical field because they possess chemicals that help relax the body and reduce symptoms of pain.
Prescription opioids are used to help reduce chronic pain, ease post-surgery pain, or reduce the effects of physical trauma. In other instances, opioids are used to reduce coughing and diarrhea because of their relaxing properties. People who abuse them report that they make them feel high and help them feel calm.
What happens during an opioid overdose?
Similar to depressants, opioids create relaxation and numb people’s pain. Opioids may affect breathing, and when people take them in high amounts, they may cause the following risks:
- Irregular breathing patterns
- Loss of consciousness
- Limp muscle tone
- Bluish skin, nails, and lips
- Vomiting
- Poor comprehension
If the overdose is not addressed immediately, the person may suffer from:
- Lung collapse
- Brain damage
- Coma
- Death
Natural Opiates
Natural opiates are known as alkaloids, and they have nitrogen basis. They are derived from plants such as the opium poppy. Natural opiates include morphine, thebaine, codeine, and ibogaine.
Semisynthetic opioids
Semisynthetic opioids are created by combining natural opiates and lab-synthesized chemicals. Different semisynthetic opioids include hydromorphone, hydrocodone, heroin, and oxycodone. One of the most addictive semisynthetic opioids, heroin, is made of morphine combined with synthetic chemicals.
Fully synthetic opioids
Fully synthetic opioids are completely created in labs. They include fentanyl, levorphanol, methadone, tramadol, meperidine, and dextropropoxyphene.
Stimulant Overdose
Stimulants are drugs that produce the reverse effects of depressants. Instead of depressing the body, stimulants stimulate it. For example, caffeine is a stimulant that enhances alertness and may thus improve mental function when people use certain amounts.
Other people use nicotine as a way to improve focus in daily tasks. Nicotine acts as both a stimulant and sedative. Other stimulants, such as Adderall, Concerta, and Ritalin, are prescription medications used to minimize the symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Some types of stimulants, such as cocaine and some amphetamines and methamphetamine (meth), are illegal. Many stimulants are popular because they help improve focus, provide energy, and increase confidence. These traits of stimulants may cause some people to eventually abuse them.
What happens during a stimulant overdose?
Stimulant overdoses produce effects that are the opposite of depressants. They intensify functions of the body’s vital organs. People who ingest dangerous amounts of stimulants may experience the following signs:
- Increased heart rate
- Seizures
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Tremors
- Loss of coordination
- High temperature/fever
If people do not seek medical attention for overdoses, they may experience serious complications:
- Dehydration
- Heart failure
- Cardiovascular collapse
- Hyperthermia (high body temperature)
- Death
