In the event of an overdose, every second counts. Knowing how to respond quickly and effectively can make the difference between life and death. Whether you’re a concerned friend, family member, or simply someone who wants to be prepared, understanding the signs and knowing how to act can empower you to save a life and make a critical difference in an emergency.
What Is an Overdose?
Understanding what an overdose is and how it occurs is the first step in prevention and response. An overdose occurs when someone consumes a toxic amount of a substance, whether drugs, alcohol, or a combination of both. The amount or combination of substances overwhelms the body’s ability to process them and interferes with the brain’s ability to regulate essential functions, including breathing, heart rate, and body temperature. Symptoms can range from mild confusion and disorientation to life-threatening conditions such as respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, or even death.
Overdoses can also happen accidentally, particularly when using drugs with uncertain potency or when combining multiple drugs together or with alcohol.
Recognizing the Signs of an Overdose
Overdoses can occur suddenly and without warning, and knowing the signs could save someone’s life. However, symptoms will vary depending on the substance or substances the person is using. Here are some common signs of overdose for commonly abused drugs:
Opioid Overdose Signs
An opioid overdose occurs when someone takes more opioids than their body can handle, leading to life-threatening symptoms. Opioids, including prescription painkillers like oxycodone and illicit drugs like heroin, depress the central nervous system, which controls vital functions such as breathing and heart rate.
Symptoms include:
Loss of consciousness
Slow, shallow breathing, or no breathing at all
Cold, clammy skin with a bluish tint, especially around the lips and fingertips
Choking sounds or gurgling noises
Pinpoint pupils
Limp body with no response to stimulation
Cocaine and Stimulant Overdose
Stimulants, such as cocaine or methamphetamines, accelerate the central nervous system, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. During a cocaine or stimulant overdose, these effects can spiral out of control. In severe cases, stimulant overdoses can lead to heart attack, stroke, or sudden death.
Signs of an overdose may include:
Extreme edginess or paranoia
Chest pains or signs of a heart attack
High body temperature (hyperthermia) or profuse sweating
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Seizures or convulsions
Severe headache or confusion
Alcohol Poisoning or Alcohol Overdose
Alcohol poisoning, or alcohol overdose, is when a person drinks a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time. Excessive drinking can lead to dangerously high levels of alcohol in the bloodstream, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Signs of alcohol poisoning include:
Confusion or stupor
Vomiting while unconscious, with a risk of choking
Seizures
Slow or irregular breathing
Hypothermia (low body temperature), with cold or clammy skin
Blue or gray-ish skin or paleness
Download more Overdose Help resources and drug fact sheets on the International Overdose Day website.
What to Do in the Event of an Overdose
Call 911 Immediately: Even if you aren’t sure that the person has overdosed, calling 911 is critical. Give the dispatcher as much information as possible, including the potential drugs involved, the person’s age, and any known medical conditions.
Administer Naloxone (Narcan) if you Suspect Opioid Use: Naloxone or Narcan can reverse an opioid overdose within minutes. The nasal spray or injection blocks the effects opioids have on the brain. Naloxone should be administered as soon as possible. It will not cause harm if the person has not taken opioids.
Many recovery and public health organizations provide Narcan to their communities, and it can also be purchased at most pharmacies. Keeping Narcan on hand can be life-saving in the event of an overdose.
Monitor Body Temperature: High body temperature can cause a cocaine or stimulant overdose to be fatal, so keeping the person hydrated and providing cool washcloths can help lower body temperatures while waiting for emergency personnel.
Perform Rescue Breathing or CPR: If the person isn’t breathing or breathing is shallow, perform CPR or rescue breathing until first responders arrive. If you do not know how to perform CPR, follow guidance from the 911 operator.
Stay with the Person: Never leave a person experiencing an overdose alone, even after administering Narcan. They could still be at risk of another overdose when the medication wears off. Monitor their breathing and responsiveness until help arrives.
Provide Reassurance: Overdose situations can be scary. Do your best to keep the person calm and ensure that help is coming. Keeping calm can be vital to their survival. If the person regains consciousness, calmly explain what has happened to them and provide assurance.
International Overdose Awareness Day
International Overdose Awareness Day, marked each year on August 31, serves as a reminder that overdose deaths are preventable. Understanding the signs of an overdose, knowing how to respond, and having access to resources like Narcan can save lives. Every life is worth saving, and reaching out for help is the first step toward recovery.
Getting Help for Alcohol or Drug Addiction
If you suspect that you or someone you care about is struggling with drug use, do not wait until the situation becomes a crisis. See help as soon as possible. Early intervention for drug or alcohol abuse has been shown to lead to better outcomes and reduce the risk of overdose, an ever-present danger with addiction.
At Longbranch Recovery and Wellness, our compassionate team is here 24/7 to provide immediate support to you and your loved ones. We offer a safe and welcoming environment and personalized treatment plans that address the unique needs of each individual.
From detox and residential treatment to outpatient programs and aftercare, Longbranch provides the highest quality of care at every step of the recovery journey. Our experienced, trauma-trained staff use proven, evidence-based therapies and a holistic approach to help you get to the root of your addiction to heal and rebuild your life.
Find an Alcohol or Drug Rehab Program Near You
Longbranch Recovery and Wellness provides affordable, top-quality drug and alcohol rehab programs at our facilities in Louisiana and Arkansas.
Residential Addiction Treatment Center
Longbranch Recovery in Abita Springs
Veterans Extended Care Addiction Recovery Program
NORA House @ Longbranch Recovery in Covington
