Sadly, every year the number of people dying due to drug overdoses is dramatically increasing. If you or someone that you love is suffering from an addiction, getting help as soon as possible is important to avoid a potential tragedy.
What Is a Drug Overdose?
An overdose occurs when someone takes too much of a certain substance and the body cannot metabolize it, which can lead to death. Unfortunately, sometimes those who live with addiction cannot recognize drug overdose symptoms, especially in themselves. That is why if you or someone you love is facing addiction, it is essential to know about those symptoms to recognize them and possibly save a life.
What Are Common Overdose Symptoms?
When someone overdoses on an illegal substance or drug, whether prescribed to them or not, the body reacts in certain ways. Some common overdose symptoms are:
- Tremors
- Hallucinations
- Fever
- Nausea
- Panic attacks
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Vomiting
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or see someone experiencing them, and you suspect that the cause is a drug overdose, call 911 immediately. Time is of the essence in these situations, and the sooner the patient receives treatment, the more likely it is that they will recover.
Is It Possible To Overdose on Prescription Drugs?
You may wonder, can you overdose on Adderall or other prescription drugs? It is important to keep in mind that an overdose may happen with prescription or illicit drugs. Unfortunately, overdosing on prescription drugs, such as Adderall, is possible and unfortunately common.
Can You Overdose on Alcohol, As Well?
One substance that many people think they cannot overdose on is alcohol. An alcohol overdose is also known as alcohol poisoning and is very common. This is especially true when you drink a large amount of alcohol in a very short period of time. The body cannot process the alcohol, and so it begins to poison your body.
What Are Some Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning?
Symptoms of alcohol overdose include:
- Seizures
- Confusion
- Vomiting
- Loss of consciousness
- Slow or erratic breathing
- Low temperature
- Blue or pale skin
The best way to avoid alcohol poisoning is to drink less. Do not let friends or family influence or pressure you to continue drinking when you know you have hit your limit. If you are going through difficult times, it may help to find someone to talk to, including a family member, doctor or psychologist that can help you learn to deal with your emotions in a healthy way.
Getting Help for Addiction
As important as being aware of overdose is, it is even more important to find an addiction recovery program to help those consistently abusing drugs and alcohol. Addictions often come about as a result of trauma or hard times, and some people are biologically more vulnerable to addiction. However, there is always hope and always a path to a better life. There is always a way out, but the first step is to talk to someone or listen to someone when they need to talk.
