overdoseespecially

Overdose is the ingestion or exposure to a substance at a level that risks harm to vital functions and can be life-threatening. It can involve medicines, illicit drugs, alcohol, or other chemicals and may be accidental, recreational, or intentional.

Common substances associated with overdose include opioids, alcohol, acetaminophen, benzodiazepines, and stimulants. Overdose can lead to slowed or stopped breathing, extreme drowsiness or unconsciousness, confusion, vomiting, seizures, or organ failure, depending on the substance and amount.

Signs and symptoms vary but often include shallow or difficult breathing, limpness, bluish lips or fingertips, inability to wake the person, pinpoint pupils (common with opioids), confusion, and vomiting. Severe overdose may cause coma or death if not treated promptly.

Risk factors for overdose include a history of substance use, taking multiple substances at once (polysubstance use), high doses, older age, liver or kidney disease, and access to counterfeit or tainted drugs. Changes in tolerance, such as after stopping a drug or starting a new one, can also raise risk.

Emergency response is essential. If an overdose is suspected, call emergency services immediately. Do not leave the person alone. If trained and available, administer naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose and monitor breathing and consciousness. If the person stops breathing, begin appropriate resuscitation.

Prevention focuses on using medications as prescribed, avoiding mixing substances, practicing harm reduction, securing medicines, and seeking treatment for substance use disorders. Public health measures aim to reduce overdose through education, treatment access, and availability of reversal drugs like naloxone.