What are the Signs of an Overdose?

We all know how dangerous it is to do drugs. It can damage your health and your relationships with others, and it can cause legal issues, financial issues, and more. But the worst thing that can happen is you can overdose. 

An overdose occurs when you take more of a drug than your body can handle. In some cases, you can have a severe reaction. In other instances, you can die. This article will tell you the signs of an overdose so you can save yourself or someone else. 

What is an Overdose? 

An overdose involves taking more than a recommended amount of any substance, but it most often refers to drugs. It can be accidental or intentional. 

For example, some people may intentionally overdose because they want to commit suicide. In other instances, a child may accidentally ingest an adult’s medication and overdose. 

Somewhere in between lies overdoses that occur when a person takes more of a drug than they can handle. They may be hoping for increased feelings of euphoria, but they may end up doing serious damage to themselves. 

An overdose can do extensive damage to the organs. It can also obstruct breathing and cause death. 

What are the Signs of an Overdose?

OD symptoms vary depending on the type of drug the person took, how much they took and when they took it, their age, and their state of health. They include the following: 

• Dizziness
• Chest pain
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Difficulty breathing 
• Elevated or slowed heart rate
• Loss of consciousness
• Dizziness
• Loss of balance 
• Confusion
• Blue lips or fingernails
• Clammy or blue skin
• Hallucinations
• Gurgling sounds
• Snoring deeply
• Erratic or slow pulse
• Seizures
• Unresponsiveness while awake

What Drugs Can Cause an Overdose?

Any drug can cause an overdose ranging from OTC pills to harmful illicit substances. Here are some examples. 

• Prescription drugs
• OTC drugs
• Illegal drugs
• Alcohol
• Some herbal remedies

What to Do During an Overdose?

If you see signs of an overdose in someone near you, your actions can help save their life. Here’s what’s recommended: 

1. Stay calm. Getting upset will only worsen the situation. 
2. Call emergency services. 
3. If the person is unconscious but breathing, place them on their side. Ensure their airway stays open by tilting their head back and lifting their chin. This will keep them from choking on their own vomit. 
4. Check their breathing and monitor their condition until help arrives. 
5. Do not give the person anything to eat or drink.
6. Do not try to make the person vomit.
7. If there are any pill bottles at the scene, take them with you to the hospital. 

If you live with someone who is at risk for overdose, or if you feel you are at risk for overdose, you may want to get more prepared. For example, some people that take opioids carry around naloxone, which reverses the symptoms of a drug overdose caused by opioids. 

You may also consider taking a first aid course that teaches what you want to do in the event an overdose occurs. 

How to Find Substance Abuse Treatment

While it’s good to know what to do in the event of a drug overdose, it’s best not to have to deal with one in the first place. And if you don’t want to overdose, you should avoid taking drugs, especially those that are not OTC or prescribed to you. This may be easier said than done for those with dependency issues, but there are ways to get the help you need.

There are several rehab centers that offer help for dependency issues. But how do you find the one that’s right for you? Prevail Recovery checks off all the boxes. 

Prevail Recovery is an outpatient rehab center in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. We have a variety of programs that allow you to get the treatment you need without taking precious time away from your everyday life. We take a dual diagnosis approach in South Florida that ensures long-term recovery. 
Don’t become another statistic. Call Prevail Recovery today. We will make sure you live a long healthy, drug-free life.