Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionCausesSignsWhat to DoPreventing Overdoses

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Definition

Causes

Signs

What to Do

Preventing Overdoses

Recognizing drug overdose signs and learning about treatments can help save lives. Signs and symptoms vary with the substance ingested, the method used, and many other factors, as do the treatments. Some signs, however, are more common than others. Knowing these can assist you in seeking help and managing an overdose until it arrives. Here’s a review of the common warning signs that a person has consumed potentially harmful drugs in a dangerous dosage.What Is a Drug Overdose?Also commonly known as an OD, an overdose occurs when someone ingests a larger dose of a drug than the body can handle. Overdoses often happen accidentally, even when someone takes a drug as prescribed.If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.Overdose StatisticsThe Centers for Disease Control have reported an increase in the number of deaths from overdosesAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), annual rates of death from overdose of synthetic opioids such as tramadol and fentanyl have increased five-fold since the early 2000s.Part of this increase may have to do with the potency of synthetic opioids. For example, the CDC indicates that fentanyl, a man-made opioid, is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.Why Overdoses HappenDrug overdoses can occur for a number of reasons. These include:Misusing prescription medications: Overdoses sometimes occur because people misuse their prescribed medications or do not follow their doctor’s instructions carefully. Accidentally taking more than one dose, taking more than the prescribed amount, or taking other medications that interact with a substance can lead to an overdose.Illicit drug use: When people consume illegal drugs, they have no way of knowing for sure how much a particular drug is contained in the dose they receive. And in some cases, illicit drugs are mixed with other drugs that a person may not know about.Relapsing after a period of abstinence: Taking a substance after a period of abstinence can also lead to an accidental overdose. Once a person stops taking a substance, their tolerance level decreases. If they suddenly take the same dose they were previously taking, they may overdose.Accidental overdoses are less common withprescription drugs, because the strength and dosage are known, and the physician provides instructions regarding the appropriate amount. However, accidental overdoses of prescription drugs can occur at times of confusion or forgetfulness, if the person has experienced extreme weight loss, or if they have discontinued or reduced the usual dose since the drug was originally prescribed.Overdoses can also occur from taking over-the-counter medications or even seemingly harmless substances, such asvitamin supplements, which the FDA does not regulate. Overdoses of over-the-counter drugs may be even more harmful and irreversible than controlled drugs.Signs of an OverdoseSigns of an overdose can vary depending on the substance and amount a person has taken. Here are the most common:Loss of consciousnessVomitingConfusion and drowsinessCool, clammy skinPinpoint pupilsChoking or gurgling soundsDifficulty breathingChanges in heart rateSubstance-Specific SignsSome signs occur more frequently with certain substances than others.Opioid overdose: Clammy skin, limpness, slowed breathing, decreased heart rate, small pupils, vomiting, and unconsciousnessDepressant overdose: Confusion, slowed or stopped breathing, loss of consciousness, and comaStimulant overdose: Rapid breathing, fever, fast heartbeat, extreme changes in blood pressure, convulsions, paranoia, and comaAlcohol overdose: Slow breathing and heart rate, slower reflexes, confusion, decreased body temperature, and seizuresWhat to Do If You Suspect an OverdoseIf someone appears to have overdosed:Administer naloxone as soon as possible if available and call 911. Tell the operator what substances you think the person has ingested.Keep them awake and encourage breathing.Do not leave the person alone.Roll them onto their side to prevent them from choking on vomit.If a person has overdosed on opioids, the rapid administration of Narcan (naloxone) can save their life. As an opioid antagonist, naloxone blocks the effects of opioids and can reverse an overdose when administered quickly.Naloxone is widely available without prescription in stores, online, and through some local agencies.Treatment for an OverdoseMedical personnel may pump the person’s stomach to eradicate the substance and administer activated charcoal or medicines to counteract it. They will also monitor the patient’s vital signs and work to improve them, if necessary.If you or someone you know hassubstance use disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.Preventing OverdosesThese strategies can help prevent overdoses:Keep prescription medications out of the reach of children and pets.Speak frankly with your healthcare provider if you have a substance dependence or addiction; they can recommend treatment options to help minimize your risk of overdose.Ask about medications that might reduce drug cravings.Join a support group.Stay current on treatment options that support long-term recovery.Navigating the Fentanyl Crisis as a Young Person

Recognizing drug overdose signs and learning about treatments can help save lives. Signs and symptoms vary with the substance ingested, the method used, and many other factors, as do the treatments. Some signs, however, are more common than others. Knowing these can assist you in seeking help and managing an overdose until it arrives. Here’s a review of the common warning signs that a person has consumed potentially harmful drugs in a dangerous dosage.

What Is a Drug Overdose?

Also commonly known as an OD, an overdose occurs when someone ingests a larger dose of a drug than the body can handle. Overdoses often happen accidentally, even when someone takes a drug as prescribed.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

Overdose Statistics

The Centers for Disease Control have reported an increase in the number of deaths from overdoses

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), annual rates of death from overdose of synthetic opioids such as tramadol and fentanyl have increased five-fold since the early 2000s.Part of this increase may have to do with the potency of synthetic opioids. For example, the CDC indicates that fentanyl, a man-made opioid, is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.

Why Overdoses Happen

Drug overdoses can occur for a number of reasons. These include:

Accidental overdoses are less common withprescription drugs, because the strength and dosage are known, and the physician provides instructions regarding the appropriate amount. However, accidental overdoses of prescription drugs can occur at times of confusion or forgetfulness, if the person has experienced extreme weight loss, or if they have discontinued or reduced the usual dose since the drug was originally prescribed.

Overdoses can also occur from taking over-the-counter medications or even seemingly harmless substances, such asvitamin supplements, which the FDA does not regulate. Overdoses of over-the-counter drugs may be even more harmful and irreversible than controlled drugs.

Signs of an Overdose

Signs of an overdose can vary depending on the substance and amount a person has taken. Here are the most common:

Substance-Specific Signs

Some signs occur more frequently with certain substances than others.

Opioid overdose: Clammy skin, limpness, slowed breathing, decreased heart rate, small pupils, vomiting, and unconsciousness

Depressant overdose: Confusion, slowed or stopped breathing, loss of consciousness, and coma

Stimulant overdose: Rapid breathing, fever, fast heartbeat, extreme changes in blood pressure, convulsions, paranoia, and coma

Alcohol overdose: Slow breathing and heart rate, slower reflexes, confusion, decreased body temperature, and seizures

What to Do If You Suspect an Overdose

If someone appears to have overdosed:

If a person has overdosed on opioids, the rapid administration of Narcan (naloxone) can save their life. As an opioid antagonist, naloxone blocks the effects of opioids and can reverse an overdose when administered quickly.Naloxone is widely available without prescription in stores, online, and through some local agencies.

Treatment for an Overdose

Medical personnel may pump the person’s stomach to eradicate the substance and administer activated charcoal or medicines to counteract it. They will also monitor the patient’s vital signs and work to improve them, if necessary.

If you or someone you know hassubstance use disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or someone you know hassubstance use disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

These strategies can help prevent overdoses:

Navigating the Fentanyl Crisis as a Young Person

10 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Drug overdose deaths in the United States, 2001–2021.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Opioid overdose.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Save a life from prescription opioid overdose.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are prescription CNS depressants?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stimulant guide.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Understanding the dangers of alcohol overdose.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Reverse overdose to prevent death.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What is naloxone?U. S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves first over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Overdose prevention.Additional ReadingMedlinePlus.Opioid overdose.Mistry CJ, Bawor M, Desai D, Marsh DC, Samaan Z.Genetics of opioid dependence: a review of the genetic contribution to opioid dependence.Curr Psychiatry Rev.2014;10(2):156-167. doi:10.2174/1573400510666140320000928Seth P, Rudd RA, Noonan RK, Haegerich TM.Quantifying the epidemic of prescription opioid overdose deaths.Am J Public Health. 2018;108(4):500-502. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2017.304265Wang SC, Chen YC, Lee CH, Cheng CM.Opioid addiction, genetic susceptibility, and medical treatments: a review.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(17). doi:10.3390/ijms20174294

10 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Drug overdose deaths in the United States, 2001–2021.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Opioid overdose.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Save a life from prescription opioid overdose.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are prescription CNS depressants?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stimulant guide.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Understanding the dangers of alcohol overdose.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Reverse overdose to prevent death.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What is naloxone?U. S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves first over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Overdose prevention.Additional ReadingMedlinePlus.Opioid overdose.Mistry CJ, Bawor M, Desai D, Marsh DC, Samaan Z.Genetics of opioid dependence: a review of the genetic contribution to opioid dependence.Curr Psychiatry Rev.2014;10(2):156-167. doi:10.2174/1573400510666140320000928Seth P, Rudd RA, Noonan RK, Haegerich TM.Quantifying the epidemic of prescription opioid overdose deaths.Am J Public Health. 2018;108(4):500-502. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2017.304265Wang SC, Chen YC, Lee CH, Cheng CM.Opioid addiction, genetic susceptibility, and medical treatments: a review.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(17). doi:10.3390/ijms20174294

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Drug overdose deaths in the United States, 2001–2021.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Opioid overdose.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Save a life from prescription opioid overdose.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are prescription CNS depressants?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stimulant guide.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Understanding the dangers of alcohol overdose.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Reverse overdose to prevent death.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What is naloxone?U. S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves first over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Overdose prevention.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Drug overdose deaths in the United States, 2001–2021.

U.S. National Library of Medicine.Opioid overdose.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Save a life from prescription opioid overdose.

National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are prescription CNS depressants?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stimulant guide.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Understanding the dangers of alcohol overdose.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Reverse overdose to prevent death.

National Institute on Drug Abuse.What is naloxone?

U. S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves first over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Overdose prevention.

MedlinePlus.Opioid overdose.Mistry CJ, Bawor M, Desai D, Marsh DC, Samaan Z.Genetics of opioid dependence: a review of the genetic contribution to opioid dependence.Curr Psychiatry Rev.2014;10(2):156-167. doi:10.2174/1573400510666140320000928Seth P, Rudd RA, Noonan RK, Haegerich TM.Quantifying the epidemic of prescription opioid overdose deaths.Am J Public Health. 2018;108(4):500-502. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2017.304265Wang SC, Chen YC, Lee CH, Cheng CM.Opioid addiction, genetic susceptibility, and medical treatments: a review.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(17). doi:10.3390/ijms20174294

MedlinePlus.Opioid overdose.

Mistry CJ, Bawor M, Desai D, Marsh DC, Samaan Z.Genetics of opioid dependence: a review of the genetic contribution to opioid dependence.Curr Psychiatry Rev.2014;10(2):156-167. doi:10.2174/1573400510666140320000928

Seth P, Rudd RA, Noonan RK, Haegerich TM.Quantifying the epidemic of prescription opioid overdose deaths.Am J Public Health. 2018;108(4):500-502. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2017.304265

Wang SC, Chen YC, Lee CH, Cheng CM.Opioid addiction, genetic susceptibility, and medical treatments: a review.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(17). doi:10.3390/ijms20174294

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