Those who are struggling with substance use disorder face many risks. These individuals often find themselves falling out of step with their communities and society as their lives start to revolve around substance use. They are also likely to experience physical harm in the form of intense cravings, painful withdrawal symptoms, memory loss, and unpleasant side effects like itching and extreme weight loss, depending on the drug. The greatest risk to substance users, however, remains the possibility of overdosing.

Overdosing can have extremely adverse effects and can even result in death. Yet, the rates of overdosing in the United States have increased significantly in the past twenty years. In fact, nearly three times as many people died in 2022 of a drug overdose as did in 2002, according to data from the National Vital Statistics System in the USA.[1] 

Part of preventing an overdose is understanding what it looks like and what you can do to help in the event that it happens. Below, we will explore what overdosing is and provide an overview of some of the most common signs of an overdose.

What Is Overdosing?

Overdosing is a term that refers to taking too much – or too high of a dose – of a medication or drug. Overdose is possible with almost any drug, even Advil or Tylenol, but it is much more common among individuals who are taking strong painkillers such as opioids or who are consuming illegal drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy, methamphetamines, and heroin. Illegal drugs are not under any administration or regulation, which means that they are not created to a medical standard and are often cut (mixed) with other toxic substances not meant for human consumption.

Individuals who seek these types of drugs are at much higher risk of overdosing because of the danger presented by their unregulated production and because these drugs are far more addictive than the over-the-counter painkillers and medications we encounter on a daily basis. Feeling compelled to take more and more of these substances to achieve the initial euphoric feeling again puts users at a significantly higher risk of overdose.

It is also possible to overdose on alcohol despite alcoholic beverages being a more normalized part of our lives than illegal drugs such as cocaine and heroin. In fact, alcohol can be just as dangerous to our health if consumed in large quantities.

An overdose is classified as a serious medical condition and can result in death if left untreated. It’s important to know this in order to help in the case of an overdose, either as a friend or family member, a treatment professional, or simply as a concerned bystander.

According to the CDC, the ten most common drugs on which individuals overdose are opioids (a range of six different types, including fentanyl, heroin, and oxycodone), cocaine, methamphetamine, Xanax, and Valium.[2]

Signs of an Overdose

An overdose is essentially the body reacting to being poisoned by a substance which has altered its chemistry. Different substances alter the body in different ways: alcohol and opioids slow down heart rate, for example, while amphetamines such as cocaine and ecstasy speed it up. Regardless of the specific effects, at a certain concentration of this substance, the body begins to shut down because it is out of balance and unable to regulate itself. 

While there are overdose indicators that are specific to each drug, here are some of the major signs of an overdose of any kind:

• Nausea – Overdose often causes intense feelings of nausea, and individuals experiencing overdose will likely not want to eat.
• Vomiting – Vomiting is one of the key signs of overdose, as the body uses its mechanisms to expel the toxic substances.
• Diarrhea – Similarly, diarrhea is common as the body seeks to get rid of the drug in any way it can.
• Acute pain in the body – the location of the pain can very, but general pain is a sign of a drug overdose, particularly if the individual cannot locate exactly where it is or why it may have started.
• Drowsiness – Those experiencing an overdose will often feel drowsy and sleepy.
• Confusion – Overdose causes the brain to misfire, and this can result in intense confusion, which is often accompanied by fear as an individual suffering from an overdose is unable to comprehend things as they normally would.
• Poor coordination – Similarly, an overdose may cause individuals to lose coordination in various parts of their body and may have a difficult time walking.
• Agitation – A drug overdose often causes agitation and high levels of stress.
• Paranoia – Individuals suffering from a drug overdose will frequently act paranoid, often inventing scenarios in which they are in danger or feel the need to mistrust those around them.
• Problems breathing – Breathing problems are common in overdose, as the heart struggles to cope with the stress of the drug on the body.
• Loss of consciousness – Overdose often causes a loss of consciousness, as the body shuts down entirely when it can no longer deal with the symptoms of the drug.

Should you encounter a drug overdose, it is imperative to contact emergency services.  Hospital treatment is the only way to manage and treat an overdose, and medical professionals have the tools to deal with these situations.

Call 911 immediately if you suspect an overdose, and if you or anyone you know is struggling with a substance use disorder, seeking help is the critical first step to preventing the horrible reality of an overdose.

Sources:

[1] Spencer, M. R. Drug Overdose Deaths in the United States, 2002-2022. (2024) NCHS Data Brief. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db491.pdf

[2] Hedegaard, H. (2018) Drugs Most Frequently Involved in Drug Overdose Deaths: United States, 2011-2016. National Vital Statistics Reports. 67:9. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr67/nvsr67_09-508.pdf