According to recent figures from the Office for National Statistics, there were 5,448 drug-related deaths in England and Wales, with around 3,600 of this attributed to drug abuse.
If you, or someone you know, suffers from addiction, overdosing can be a constant worry. It can even become a long-term worry for loved ones and a dire consequence for drug users and alcoholics who don’t always consider the risks of their substance abuse.
It is something to keep in mind, and knowing the signs of overdose, how long it takes, and prevention tips are vital to ensure you or a loved one is safe. Action Rehab is an advisory service that provides users and loved ones information on the dangers of addiction, including overdose, and provides you with rehab options.
What Are the Signs of a Drug Overdose?
A drug overdose is a biological response from your body when processing a toxic amount of substance, overwhelming your body’s ability to function normally. What is considered a ‘toxic amount’ differs for each individual, and the signs can also vary, depending on the substance taken.
Overdoses are usually fatal if not treated quickly, and can lead to short and long-term health issues if the individual survives. Most overdoses are accidental and unintentional, however there are some cases where individuals take a fatal dose as an act of self-harm. Whether this is a users way of crying out for help or a genuine suicide attempt to do their drug addiction, an overdose is not a pleasant experience.
When it comes to an alcohol overdose, the individual may vomit, suddenly experience a low body temperature, suffer from seizures and slow heart-rate (sometimes to the point where it stops). In contrast, overdosing on substances like cocaine or methamphetamine may result in the user experiencing a rapid heartbeat, leading to a stroke or heart attack.
The risk of overdose increases when users begin mixing substances, also known as ‘polydrug use’, such as cocaine and heroin or prescription drugs and ecstasy. Mixing drugs can compound the conflicting effects, disguising dangerous ones and leading to an overdose without much warning.
Timeframe for Overdose Symptoms
Unfortunately, the drug overdose symptoms timeline is not a consistent one, heavily subjected to individual differences. Some symptoms can develop quickly, like:
- Breathing difficulties
- Chest pain
- Cold, clammy skin
- Extreme drowsiness or loss of consciousness
- Small pupils (pinpoint)
If an individual is still conscious while experiencing a drug overdose, the psychological symptoms like paranoia and agitation can last for hours – and persist long after recovering from the overdose. Sadly, this can lead to an individual falling deeper into their addiction.
How Long Does an Overdose Last?
As an average, it can take between 1-3 hours from the last substance dose before death can occur. Some drug overdoses go on for several hours, and can even lead to users slipping into a coma.
Ultimately, many factors can influence the duration of a drug overdose.
Type of Drug
The type of drug used is a big factor. Opioids tend to be the most commonly overdosed drug due to them being so addictive and that only a small amount can trigger an overdose.
If you suffer from an alcohol addiction, for example, the overdose may take a lot longer as you have to drink more than the average person to suffer from the poisoning.
Addiction History
An individual’s history with addiction can also play a role in how long the overdose lasts. If you are in and out of recovery, you may not realise your tolerance is low again. And it can be easy for users to fall back into habits of taking the same doses they did when they were deep in their addiction, which could quickly prove fatal.
How You Take the Drugs
You are much more likely to overdose if you inject drugs compared to snorting or smoking them due to several factors:
- Rapid delivery into the bloodstream and brain
- No delay to gauge potency or amount
- Purity and dose variability due to loss of the active compound
- Higher concentration in a short space of time
Current Health Status
If you suffer from chronic health issues, like heart problems, then drugs like cocaine can cause these to worsen quicker than the average person. If you’re on prescribed medication, then mixing them with other drugs or alcohol can leave you exposed to a quicker overdose.
Overdose Prevention Tips
If you are a persistent drug user or a heavy drinker and are concerned about the possibility of overdose, there are steps you can take to lessen the chance of overdose.
Never mix drugs: As stated previously, polydrug use increases your chance of overdosing.
Never use drugs or drink alone: If you do happen to overdose, it is best to have people around to help. And if you’re alone and begin experiencing symptoms of an overdose, you shouldn’t delay in calling 999 for medical assistance.
Get help: If you notice signs of addiction, get help sooner rather than later, for yourself and your loved ones.
Treatment for Overdose
If the worst has happened, knowing overdose treatment options is essential. It is most helpful to understand what a person is overdosing from, but there are general steps you can take.
The most important thing to do is call 999, as medical professionals are the best at helping someone in this situation. They can talk you through what to do, give the person CPR, and ensure they have the best chance at recovery. If you are particularly worried about someone, you could take a First Aid course to ensure you are prepared.
While you wait, it’s essential to keep them awake and not make them vomit or drink anything. Just check their breathing and pulse and keep an eye on their condition.
In a hospital, they will get the drugs out of your body and keep you hydrated with IV fluid. As part of a drug overdose recovery, you will undergo a full assessment and be advised on the next steps to help, including information about drug rehab.
At a private rehab, you will undergo a drug detox to end your physical dependence on drugs. As part of an addiction treatment programme, you will also take part in therapies to help you deal with the psychological side of your addiction. Further help can be provided through aftercare, attending support meetings, forming a supportive network and honing your coping skills.
Get in Touch Today
If you want to know more about the dangers of overdosing, overdose prevention tips or get some information on drug and alcohol rehabs you can contact Action Rehab.
Just call us at 0151 268 6992 to talk to a member of our team.
Posted on Friday, March 17th, 2023 at 3:46 pm in Addiction.
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