In relation to drugs, there can be various approaches to their consumption. One can be an occasional user or be unable to stop and end up developing an addiction. What is known by everyone is the dangers that drug use entails, whether little or much. Although, evidently, the greater the use, the higher the risk of negative consequences for the body. And the worst case is suffering an overdose, which can cause very serious and harmful symptoms or even death.
What is a drug overdose?
We could define the term overdose as the excessive consumption of any drug or medication, such that the substance reaches toxic levels in the blood. The way an overdose occurs can come from several factors. The most common cause is the high consumption of a drug in a short interval of time. This can occur as a result of having increased the level of tolerance to the substance. And the fact is that, although the addict usually begins by taking small doses, as their body’s tolerance increases they need a greater amount of the drug to achieve the same effect. It is then when they reach a point where they exceed the limit and it causes toxicity, producing the overdose.
On the other hand, an overdose can also occur when the addict has been consuming the drug for a prolonged period of time. In this way, the substance has been accumulating in their body to finally exceed tolerance levels. It is here when overdose symptoms would appear suddenly. These vary depending on the type of drug consumed. Thus, an overdose caused by a depressant drug such as alcohol will be different from that produced by a stimulant drug such as cocaine. However, the effects can be very serious in both cases.
Alcohol Overdose
Normally, an overdose occurs when a person takes large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. Having so much alcohol in the blood affects the areas of the brain that control basic vital functions such as breathing or heart rate, which begin to be inhibited. Although it is not necessary to be alcoholic to suffer an overdose, alcoholic individuals are more susceptible to suffering one.
Among the most common symptoms we find:
- Confusion
- Breathing problems
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Slow and/or irregular breathing
- Cold and clammy skin
- Low or very low body temperature (hypothermia)
- Lack of gag reflex
- Fainting or difficulty remaining conscious
When a person is in a situation of suffering an alcohol overdose, serious complications can develop such as choking on their own vomit, becoming severely dehydrated affecting the brain permanently, experiencing irregular breathing and heart rate that can stop, and developing hypothermia and hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar concentration).
Cocaine Overdose
Cocaine is a stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system. The most frequent cause of cocaine overdose is high consumption in a short period of time. However, there are other causes, for example, consuming cocaine when it is very hot and there is a risk of dehydration, or when consumption is combined with other drugs. On the other hand, the risk of suffering an overdose is greater if the route of administration for its consumption is intravenous.
Among the most common symptoms we find:
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Difficulty breathing
- Dilated pupils
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Extreme agitation moving a lot and sweating constantly
- Increased body temperature
- Irregular blood pressure
- Seizures
- Heart attacks
- Strokes or cerebral infarction
- Kidney failure
Cardiovascular disorders and kidney failure are the most frequent toxic effects of cocaine overdose and can be fatal.
Methamphetamine Overdose
Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug that comes in the form of white powder with a crystalline appearance. A methamphetamine overdose can be acute (sudden) or chronic (prolonged). Acute occurs when someone takes this drug accidentally or intentionally and side effects appear that can be fatal. Chronic overdose refers to the health effects in someone who uses the drug regularly.
Among the most common symptoms we find:
- Severe stomach pain
- Agitation
- Very high body temperature
- Chest pain
- Coma or unconsciousness (in extreme cases)
- Irregular or stopped heartbeats
- Heart attack
- Seizures
- Respiratory difficulty
- Kidney damage and possibly kidney failure
- Paranoia
- Stroke
What should be done in case of a drug overdose?
If we detect that someone may be suffering a drug overdose, the first thing to do is call emergency services immediately. The sooner the person is attended to, the less serious the consequences for their health will be. If we know what drug the victim has consumed, it is important to communicate this to the healthcare professionals during the call. While we wait for them to arrive, there are a series of first aid measures we can apply:
- Check, first of all, if the person is breathing by listening to their breathing.
- If they are unconscious, place them in the recovery position. Monitor in case they vomit as they could choke on their own vomit if not monitored.
- If they are not breathing, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers.
- Loosen clothing and cover the person with a coat or blanket to prevent hypothermia.
- In case they start to convulse, do not try to restrain them. Simply do everything possible to prevent them from hitting objects around them.
- Do not endanger your safety. If the person has violent behaviors, it is better to avoid confrontations and let the professionals take care of them.
- Do not give them food or drink nor make them walk as they may suffer falls that cause other injuries.
At CCAdicciones, we have the best professionals to help you if you are addicted to any drug or have any other addiction. Contact us if you feel you need help to regain control over your life.
