Dangers of Drug Overdose

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Drug Overdose Statistics

Drug overdose statistics show just how serious an overdose of drugs can be. According to the CDC, in 2019, 70,630 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States. Currently, opioids are the leading cause of overdose deaths. Of the 70,630 overdose deaths in 2019, 49,860 were caused by opioids.²

Signs and Symptoms of Drug Overdose

An overdose of drugs is serious and can cause death if not treated properly. If you think someone may have overdosed, there are some signs of overdose on medicine or drugs that you can look for to get them the help that is needed. Common drug overdose symptoms include:

• Dilated pupils
• Unsteady walking
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Blue lips or fingers
• Nausea or vomiting
• Abnormally high body temperature
• Violent or aggressive behavior

Accidental

Accidental overdoses typically occur in recreational drug use when someone accidentally takes too high of a dose of drugs. Typically, when someone struggles with addiction, they will be more likely to take high doses of drugs that can cause an accidental overdose. Prescription drug overdose may also be accidental if someone accidentally takes too high of a dose of prescription medication.

Intentional

Intentional overdoses are characterized as overdoses on drugs that are self-inflicted. Intentional overdoses are common during drug overdose for suicide or purposes of self-harm. Someone who is at risk for an intentional overdose may experience different warning signs before an overdose occurs.

Risk Factors for Drug Overdose

There are common risk factors that can make someone more likely to overdose on drugs or that can lead to an overdose occurring.

Improper Storage of Drugs

Improper storage of drugs is a dangerous risk factor for pill overdose. When you are prescribed prescription medication, it is important to keep it in a place where only you can access it, and that is out of the reach of children. Pill overdose is a common form of accidental overdose that occurs when children or other family members accidentally take prescription medications that are sitting out in the open or in places that are easy to access.

Not Knowing or Following Dosage Instructions

Not knowing or following dosage instructions is another common form of pill overdose. When you are prescribed medications, it’s important to follow strict guidelines from your medical provider to ensure that you take the correct dosage. Drug toxicity is dangerous when you take too high of a dose or don’t follow dosage instructions on prescription medicine.

History of Misuse or Addiction

Those with a history of drug addiction or misuse may be more susceptible to an overdose. When someone struggles with an addiction, they will likely build a tolerance to the substance they are taking. A drug tolerance will lead to taking increasingly higher doses to receive the same effects. Taking high doses of drugs makes an overdose more likely due to drug toxicity.

History of Mental Disorders

Those with a history of mental disorders or mental health issues may also be more prone to an overdose. Mental health problems and drug addiction can often go hand in hand. Statistics show that about 50% of those with a diagnosable mental illness also struggle with addiction. Someone who struggles with mental health may use drugs to try to self-medicate, leading to taking high doses of substances and the potential for overdose.³

Dangers of Drug Overdose

Side effects of an overdose can be fatal or may affect someone’s long-term health and well-being in many ways. Dangerous drug overdose long-term effects may include:

• Brain damage
• Decreased mobility in limbs
• Long-term pain
• Loss of vision or hearing
• Nerve damage
• Toxic brain injury that puts someone in a vegetative state

To prevent these dangerous long-term effects of a drug overdose, you should seek immediate medical treatment if you think someone has overdosed. If you or someone you care about is struggling with an addiction, you should seek addiction treatment to prevent an overdose from occurring altogether.

What To Do if Someone is Overdosing

If someone is experiencing drug overdose symptoms, you should call 911 or immediately take them to the emergency room. If you call 911, you should wait with the individual until emergency responders arrive. You should also move the person onto their side to prevent choking. Medical professionals should be informed that an overdose of drugs may have occurred so life-saving drug overdose treatment can be performed.⁴