The numbers of drug overdose deaths go up every year. There are countless organizations and programs, both government and private, devoted to stemming the tide of addiction, and though some years see a shallower growth curve than others, the lines on the addiction and overdose graphs are still treading upward. Recent overdose death numbers for synthetic opioids, cocaine, meth, and prescription painkillers hover around 150,000 annually. Several things get in the way of people with a substance use disorder (SUD) seeking help, including a societal stigma around addiction, a lack of understanding about how detox and rehab improve recovery outcomes, and financial barriers. The fact remains that the best way to tackle recovery is with an inpatient addiction treatment program.
Pennsylvania Adult & Teen Challenge (PAATC) has been treating SUDs for more than 60 years. In our inpatient addiction treatment program, we provide evidence-based therapies. Our medical team, therapists, and support staff work together to provide individualized treatment for all our clients. Learn more about addiction, the effects of an overdose, and the best approaches to recovery by speaking to someone on our team. Just fill out this online form or call 844.442.8673.
Signs of a Drug Overdose
The signs and symptoms of an alcohol or drug overdose can save lives if they are recognized early. Getting help in the early stages can also avoid the worst of the long-term effects of an overdose.
Some of the things to notice that can indicate an overdose is happening include:
- Gurgling sounds during breathing
- Extreme confusion
- Heightened agitation or anxiety
- Excessive sweating
- Delirium
- Hallucinations
- Extreme drowsiness
- Clammy skin
- Fever
- Slowed, irregular, or racing heart rate
- Foaming at the mouth
Some effects of drug overdoses are potentially deadly or can have long-term consequences.
The Severe Physical Effects of an Overdose
The following overdose effects are the most worrying and may lead to death, but can be halted with rapid intervention and treatment.
- Slowed breathing – This symptom is common, especially in an overdose of a depressant such as alcohol or opioids. Listening for sounds of breathing is an easy way to check for this effect, as is timing the breaths. Other signs to look for are blue lips and/or fingertips which indicate hypoxia (oxygen deprivation). Breathing can slow to the point of stopping, which is fatal without medical intervention.
- Seizures – Most common in alcohol or stimulant overdose, seizures can result in head trauma if someone falls or hits their head on a hard surface or object. Post-seizure confusion, unconsciousness, severe headaches, and even brain damage are possible. Treating seizures promptly is important to prevent bad outcomes.
- Vomiting – Also very common in overdoses, vomiting doesn’t seem particularly dangerous in itself, but if someone is alone and sluggish, or even asleep or unconscious, vomiting can lead to choking without waking up, and have fatal consequences.
- Coma – Coma can result from oxygen deprivation and are a serious effect of some overdose scenarios. When someone emerges from a coma they can experience difficulty with coordination, communication, and memory. In some cases, people who slip into a coma due to a drug or alcohol overdose don’t recover.
- Heart attack – Be aware of chest pain as it is an early sign of cardiac arrest. If medical attention is sought quickly, you can avoid a potentially fatal outcome. Heart attacks can lead to ongoing health issues. Besides chest pain, other signs that someone may be experiencing cardiac arrest are sudden onset of wheezing, lightheadedness, or fainting.
If any of the signs of overdose are present or if someone is unresponsive, a call to 911 is the best way to avoid dire outcomes. Overdoses do not have to lead to long-term health consequences or death. However, they should always be taken seriously.
Let PAATC Help with Your Recovery
Often, when someone has experienced an overdose and survived, they reach a moment of decision—it’s time to get help. At PAATC, we hope you do not wait until you have an overdose scare. If you are abusing drugs or alcohol and want your life back, we can help.
Reach out today using this online form or by calling us at 844.442.8673. You are not alone.
