What is an Overdose?
An overdose occurs when a person consumes a substance, such as a drug, in a quantity that the body cannot handle, leading to harmful or life-threatening effects. Opioid overdoses, in particular, are a growing concern. In the U.S., at least half of all opioid overdose deaths involve prescription opioids.
Why Should I Be Concerned About Overdose?
Prescription opioids are effective for pain management but can also be highly dangerous if misused. Taking more than prescribed or using them without medical supervision can result in an overdose. Overdose can slow or even stop your breathing, leading to brain damage or death.
Mixing opioids with alcohol, benzodiazepines (like Xanax), or other sedatives significantly increases the risk of overdose. These substances all depress the central nervous system, which can compound their effects and make breathing dangerously slow or stop entirely.
Signs That Someone is Having an Overdose
If someone is suspected of overdosing, time is critical. An overdose typically occurs within 1 to 3 hours of using the substance. If a person is unresponsive or shows any of the following signs, it is likely they are experiencing an overdose:
- Heavy nodding – The person may appear to be falling asleep but cannot be fully awakened.
- No response when you yell their name or rub the middle of their chest hard – If the person is unresponsive to attempts to wake them, it’s a serious sign.
- Blue lips or fingertips – A lack of oxygen in the blood can cause the skin to turn blue, especially around the lips or fingertips.
- Slow breathing (less than 1 breath every 5 seconds) or no breathing – Breathing may become shallow, slow, or stop entirely.
- Very limp body and very pale face – The body may be unresponsive, and the skin may appear pale or ashen.
- Choking sounds or a gurgling, snoring noise – These sounds may indicate a blocked airway due to respiratory failure.
If any of these signs are present and the person is unresponsive, it is vital to seek emergency medical help immediately.
Print This Card
Be prepared by printing a card with important overdose prevention information and keep it with you in case of an emergency. The card can include instructions on what to do if you witness an overdose and how to administer naloxone (Narcan), a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.
Next: How to Prevent an Overdose
Taking proactive steps to reduce the risk of overdose is essential for anyone using prescription opioids. This may include using the medications only as prescribed, never mixing them with other substances, and ensuring they are stored safely away from others.
Sources:
- “Injury Prevention & Control: Opioid Overdose.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016.
- “Massachusetts Provisional Deaths 2011” Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Health Information, Statistics, Research, and Evaluation and the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services, 2013.
- Overdose Prevention Instructions courtesy of Prescribe to Prevent.