Get connected to naloxone near you, prescription drug disposal sites and substance use resources. Naloxone helps bystanders reverse the effects of the overdose. If you’re worried about someone and think they may have an addiction, you also should be aware of the signs of an overdose. Focus on the addiction and find treatment options in Maryland. If someone you know is showing signs of addiction, you can help them by providing supportive resources and encouraging them to get help. You can help stop the stigma of addiction by knowing the signs of addiction and getting the individual the help they need as soon as possible.
If your loved one is overdosing on opioids, a drug called naloxone can block the effects and stabilize the person until first responders arrive. The healthcare provider may be able to use an antidote for certain drug overdoses. For example, the drug naloxone can help reverse the effects of a heroin overdose. You may notice warning signs to determine if someone has crossed the line and is at risk for alcohol overdose. You can prevent this from happening by staying informed, looking out for the warning signs, and by calling 911 if needed. Additionally, alcohol overdose may indicate signs of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), and if so, treatment options are available.
Substance Use Disorder Signs
Often, a person will mix depressants, like alcohol, with stimulants, such as cocaine, meth, etc., as a pick-me-up. Misusing prescription stimulants, such as Adderall, also increases the risk of overdose. Fentanyl is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and up to 100 times stronger than morphine. This means that even a small amount can lead to an overdose, which could be deadly.
- The Stop Overdose website educates drug users on fentanyl, naloxone, polysubstance use, and dealing with stigma.
- In a medical setting, you may hear addiction called substance use disorder.
- Comprehensive treatment for substance abuse offers numerous benefits that can help prevent future overdoses and promote long-term recovery.
- If you or someone you’re close to uses opioids or street drugs, these ideas may help protect them.
- All drugs, whether prescribed by a doctor, legal or illegal, can cause an overdose.
How to Help Someone Who Overdoses
Most states have enacted Good Samaritan laws that limit liability for untrained people who voluntarily care for others who are injured, ill or incapacitated. These laws aim to encourage bystanders to intervene in an emergency without fear of legal repercussions. Signs and symptoms of an overdose will vary depending on the type and amount of drug that has been taken, as well as the person’s overall health at the time of taking the drug. However, if you are concerned about the person’s wellbeing, you should always call 999 for an ambulance to attend.
You should also not mix alcohol with prescription drugs without checking with your doctor first. In the case of an opioid overdose, a Naloxone kit is a key tool which can help save lives. However, even if you have used Naloxone and the person’s condition is improving, still phone 999 so an ambulance can attend.
Blood Alcohol Content
Several evidence-based treatment approaches are available for AUD. One size does not fit all—a treatment approach that may work for one person may not work for another. Treatment can be outpatient and/or inpatient and may include special programs, CBT, support groups, therapy, family groups, and alternative approaches (yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, etc.). Combining alcohol with other illicit drugs can increase the chances of overdose as well.
Mixing Alcohol and Drugs
Getting medical help quickly can make a big difference in the effectiveness of drug overdose treatment. Problem or binge drinking that worsens is known as alcohol use disorder (AUD). Alcohol overdose is a serious issue and may lead to death if not treated.
If you have children in the house, make sure that all medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, are kept well out of reach. The best methods remove opportunities for accidental overdose or triggers for intentional overdose in the first place. Pinch the person’s nose closed and cover their mouth with yours.
Recognizing Signs Of An Overdose
If you suspect that someone has an alcohol overdose, call 911 for help immediately. Do not wait for the person to have all the symptoms, and be aware that a person who has passed out can die. Don’t try to remedy the situation yourself; cold showers and coffee may not be how to help someone that has overdosed enough to revive someone in extreme cases. Respiratory failure is the most common cause of death from an overdose. Because someone who stops breathing can quickly slip into unconsciousness, a timely response can save their life.
- Not only is the addict taken down by the addiction, but also family members and friends.
- If you’ve taken more than the recommended amount of a drug or enough to have a harmful effect on your body’s functions, you have overdosed.
- There are free ways to dispose of old medications so you’re preventing substance use and protecting the environment.
- For some people, coming so close to death can expose the harsh consequences of continuing to abuse drugs.
- That’s why it’s often used as a filler in fake prescription pills or street drugs.
- If you use prescription drugs, be sure to use them only as directed by your doctor.
Parents need to be especially mindful of drinking behavior in teenagers, who are often susceptible to peer pressure. If you or someone you’re close to uses opioids or street drugs, these ideas may help protect them. The law provides certain legal protections when you call to help an individual experiencing an emergency overdose.
Ideally, it should be given within two to three minutes of the person overdosing. Two of the potential risks to be aware of are addiction and overdose. Overdoses can happen rapidly and be fatal, so it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the warning signs and know how to respond. An overdose occurs when an individual consumes a toxic amount of a substance, overwhelming their body. The potency and the possibility of mixing these substances can exacerbate the risk, leading to life-threatening situations.
Don’t wait any longer to get your family member or friend the help they need. Someone’s odds of overdosing depend on variables like the substance(s) they’ve taken, the amount consumed and how much time has passed between doses. Illegal fentanyl often comes as a powder or pressed into a pill.
Naloxone has a shorter working period than the original opioid that was taken, so it is still possible for the person to overdose again once the Naloxone has worn off. An overdose occurs when someone has more of a drug/drugs in their system than their body can cope with. All drugs, whether prescribed by a doctor, legal or illegal, can cause an overdose. Addiction is a complex condition that affects individuals and their families profoundly, both emotionally and physically.
In a medical setting, you may hear addiction called substance use disorder. Join our supportive sober community where each day becomes a step towards personal growth and lasting positive change. Rich Whitman is a certified professional interventionist with a 98% success rate and more than three decades of experience staging interventions in all 50 U.S. states.
