Anyone who has known an addict can tell you one of the grimmest reminders of the drug crisis in our country is an overdose. No single human body is identical to another, much like the often lethal and unusual concoctions addicts and abusers consume on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Likewise, when a person takes lethal amounts of a drug, their body cannot properly process the chemical overload, and they ultimately go into a severe state of shock. However, this incident is not always intentional. Some particularly nasty overdoses can be 100% accidental. Let’s take a closer look at overdoses and see how you can prevent an emergency situation.
What Happens During an Overdose?
Simply put, an overdose occurs when a person consumes excessive quantities of a drug and their bodies cannot efficiently process the unsafe levels of toxins and chemicals. Side effects of an overdose largely depend on the drug that was ingested. In addition, whatever symptoms a person experienced by taking the drug will be increased, and additional (sometimes more severe) side effects will occur. For example, an asthmatic may experience chest pain and (potentially) a severe asthma attack after overdosing on medication. Overdoses range from mild to severe and can be intentional or accidental.
Here are some signs someone may be suffering from an overdose:
- An increase or decrease (or complete absence) of vital signs (heart rate, pulse, breathing, and blood pressure)
- Aspiration (breathing vomit into the air passages)
- Drowsiness, exhaustion, and coma
- Lung or heart damage (resulting in impaired breathing and chest pain)
- Abdominal problems including pain, blood, and diarrhea
Accidental Overdose
Accidental overdoses take place when a person unintentionally consumes more than the required amount of medication or took a drug completely by mistake. These incidences can also take place during procedures like surgery.
Here are essential ways you can prevent an accidental overdose:
- Most importantly, speak to your pharmacist and/or doctor about your medication, including specific details about side effects and dosage.
- Speaking with your doctor about the proper way to “wean” yourself off a drug
- Never recycle the instructions for your medication. Read them.
- Follow the instructions for using your medications and read the label.
- NEVER take another person’s medication, even if that person is taking the same drug.
- Be aware of side effects for mixing your medications
- Keep the drugs away from children.
Always remember that drugs do not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance abuse disorder or addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your drug addiction or abuse troubles today.
