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An overdose is when there is too much of a toxin (drug or alcohol) in the body that it impacts the way the brain sends signals to the rest of the body.
Overdoses can be accidental, when the person mistakenly takes too much of a substance, or they can be intentional, when the person deliberately takes too much of a substance, in order to hurt themselves. Regardless of the reason for the overdose, overdoses are life threatening and often require emergency medical attention to reverse.
The exact signs of an overdose will vary from person to person, as body chemistry will cause substances to affect each person differently, however, there are common signs that someone experiencing an overdose may experience, these include:
- Rapid heartbeat
- Increased body temperature
- Chest pain
- Dilated pupils
- Difficulty breathing
- Gurgling sounds (which indicate airway obstruction)
- Skin and lips turning blue/gray
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Aggression
- Dizziness
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness
A person may not experience all of these signs during an overdose but even a few of these symptoms can indicate a person is experiencing an overdose. If someone is overdosing, they will stop breathing and stop responding. Overdoses are life threatening and can happen in a matter of minutes or hours. If you suspect someone is overdosing, you should call 911.
Recognizing an Overdose
Signs leading up to an opioid overdose
Opioids like fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone and hydromorphone are strong medications that are intended to help relieve pain. They are often prescribed to people after surgery, to those who have chronic pain or who are undergoing cancer treatments. However, because of their highly addictive properties and street value, opioids are more and more commonly made by illegal drug manufacturers and sold on the streets. These illegally made opioids are especially dangerous as there is no quality control and each dose can contain a different amount of the opioid. Those who use illegally made opioids are especially susceptible to overdose as there is no way to tell how strong an opioid is, until it is ingested.
Opioids affect how the brain regulates the bodies natural functions, such as breathing. Respiratory failure is the most common reason for overdose. When a person is overdosing on an opioid, the following signs are common:
- Slow, weak or no breathing
- Blue lips or nails
- Dizziness and confusion
- Can’t be woken up
- Nodding off and sleeping
- Choking, gurgling or snoring sounds
- Drowsiness or difficulty staying awake
Opioid overdose symptoms can be frightening and deadly if the overdose progresses without treatment. If someone is overdosing on opioids, it is important that they receive treatment. If you suspect someone is overdosing on opioids, you should call 911.
Naloxone is a medication that can be administered to slow the progression of an opioid overdose. It is available to anyone, free of charge, at the pharmacy. Naloxone works as it detaches the opioids from the receptors in the brain, which reverses the effects of the overdose. However, naloxone only works for a very short timeframe – usually a few minutes – and the opioids can reattach to the brain and the overdose can begin again. Because of this, naloxone should not be seen as a “cure” to an overdose, it should be seen as a way to “buy a few more minutes for emergency services to arrive”. Even if naloxone has been administered and a person is responsive, 911 should still be called.
Signs leading to an alcohol overdose
Alcohol overdose, also known as alcohol poisoning, carries specific signs and symptoms that can be incredibly dangerous for the person who is overdosing on alcohol. An alcohol overdose occurs when there is so much alcohol in the bloodstream that the areas of the brain responsible for functions such as heart rate, breathing, and temperature control, begin to shut down.
Signs of alcohol overdose include:
- Mental confusion
- Increased aggression
- Impairment of motor skills
- Severe speech impairment
- Blackouts or passing out
- Vomiting and seizures
- Slow heart rate
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Dulled responses, including no gag reflex
- Inability to remain conscious or wake up
- Low body temperature
- Blue skin or increased paleness
As the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) increases, so does the effect of the alcohol on the body. Because the body will continue to digest the alcohol even after the person stops drinking, it is crucial that the person is not left alone. “Sleeping it off” can have fatal consequences. If the person begins to show signs of overdose, or their breathing becomes slowed or irregular, 911 should be called.
Signs leading to a cocaine overdose
Cocaine is a stimulant that can be snorted, swallowed, injected, or smoked and all ingestion methods can lead to overdose. Cocaine overdose symptoms include:
- Chest pain
- Breathing difficulties
- Increased body temperature
- Rapid heart rate
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Increased sweating
- Tremors
- Kidney Damage
- Seizures
- Anxiety and panic
- Hallucinations
- Confusion and Delirium
When these cocaine overdose symptoms are present, 911 should be called, it is important to seek medical help for the person who is overdosing on cocaine. Cocaine overdose can be reversed by medical professionals who will administer the necessary medications to treat the life-threatening cocaine overdose symptoms.
What should you do if you suspect someone has overdosed?
Remember, if someone has overdosed, they will have stopped breathing and will not respond. Depending on how much of a substance has been consumed and body chemistry, a person can overdose hours after they have consumed the substance.
In all cases of suspected overdose, 911 should be contacted. If you suspect someone has overdosed on an opiod, naloxone should be administered. During an overdose, the difference between life and death can be minutes. Knowing what to look for and how to react can be the difference between life and death.
For more information, please contact our Family Caregiver Navigator at 289-552-2963 or complete the contact form.