In the United States, accidental substance overdose is the leading cause of injury-related death for people between the ages of 35 and 59 and is the second leading cause of death for people younger than 35. Accidental overdoses can occur with any drug use, even on a person’s first use. Nevertheless, because substance addiction leads to increased tolerance for a substance, individuals with a substance addiction face a heightened risk of overdose as they may feel compelled to take larger doses of a substance to replicate their high.
In addition, there are a number of other factors that may increase an individual’s risk of overdose:
- Use or abuse of multiple substances simultaneously
- Resuming drug use after a period of abstinence
- Dropping out of a treatment program
- A recent release from prison
- Prior overdoses or previous suicide attempts
- Reluctance to seek care or ask for help
Under any method of drug use, it can be difficult for an individual to know the precise amount ingested. This is particularly true with drugs that are taken by injection, thus putting intravenous drug users at a heightened overdose risk.
Addiction is a dangerous disease, but treatment can help prevent an overdose. The Asana Recovery Center offers a comprehensive detoxification and residential treatment program in a supportive, relaxing, and inspiring environment. Call us today at (949) 438-4504 to find out whether our drug and alcohol addiction treatment program may be the right fit for you.