If someone starts vomiting or stops breathing, there’s a good chance they’ve overdosed on drugs or alcohol. The prerequisites and effects of an overdose vary greatly based on the substance someone takes, yet all overdoses are terrifying and lethal. Knowing how to quickly recognize and respond to an overdose case could save a life, so you should familiarize yourself with the effects of more common drugs. Remember that prevention is the best treatment—encouraging someone to attend an alternative treatment and rehab program in Tennessee now is better than watching paramedics load them into an ambulance later.

Overdose Symptoms for Various Substances

Alcohol acts as a moderate depressant, but the threshold for overdose is dependent on the unique biology of a victim. For this reason, never assume that someone is “just sick” or that “they’ll sleep it off” if they show signs of alcohol overdose, even if they haven’t been drinking as much as others. Overdose can be lethal, even if it’s someone’s first time drinking, so know the symptoms of acute alcohol poisoning: 

  • Vomiting
  • Clammy skin
  • Low body temperature
  • Diminished heart rate
  • Strenuous breathing
  • Unconsciousness

Heroin, alongside other opioids and opiates, causes more overdose fatalities than any other drug with more than 100 deaths occurring daily. Opioids relax the bodies of abusers, so it’s terrifyingly easy to overdose and all the harder to recognize it; someone in the midst of overdose might look like they’re harmlessly sleeping.

  • Opioids slow the respiratory system when taken, so while overdosing, individuals fall unconscious and can stop breathing. This leads to hypoxia and can cause permanent brain damage or fatality in a matter of minutes. Cold, clammy, bluish skin, shallow breaths, and a lack of response to stimuli are the most obvious signs of an opioid overdose.

Cocaine and other stimulants are extremely easy to overdose on, as their effects fade quickly and encourage addicts to impulsively and repeatedly abuse their chosen drug, causing a variety of symptoms:

  • Restlessness or panic attacks
  • Hyperventilation
  • Hyperthermia (Feverish skin, sweating, vomiting, etc)
  • Hallucinations and psychotic aggression
  • High blood pressure
  • Irregular, rapid heartbeat and heart attacks
  • Seizures and tremors

Other drugs, such as methamphetamines, hallucinogens, and inhalants, induce different variations of overdose that are significantly more lethal, causing strokes, organ failure, and sudden death. Unlike alcohol overdose, it’s generally extremely evident if someone has overdosed on a “harder” drug, and there’s less you can do for them at the moment beyond ensuring they receive immediate emergency treatment.

What To Do If Someone Overdoses

Although the symptoms of an overdose vary, you don’t need to know how to treat every type of overdose (that’s for paramedics to remember); however, there are general things you can do to keep someone alive as they go through overdose regardless. Call 911 immediately—remember, the call isn’t just to alert an ambulance; a 911 operator can walk you through more detailed first aid for your unique situation. Lay the person on their side to prevent asphyxiation in case they vomit, and make sure they rest in place until help arrives. How To Recognize And Respond To An Overdose

Don’t let someone you know struggle with addiction until they inevitably overdose. Discovery Place’s 30-day alternative residential treatment program in Tennessee is a great way to steer someone away from overdose with a compassionate, comprehensive alternative treatment program. If someone around you is addicted or has overdosed in the past, contact us at 1-800-725-0922 to learn more about how we can help.

Testimonials

  • Discovery Place was the answer for my son. He did the 90 day and then the step down program and sober living. We give this organization 10 stars. They met my son where he was …emotionally, mentally, physically. They helped him put his life back on track. Discovery Place employees care about their guests. If your son, brother, nephew, grandson or husband needs excellent supportive care THIS is indeed the facility.

    Kim Morton
    Alumni Parent
  • I have remained sober and it is because of DP. DP is the best place there is, hands down. I keep everyone there in my prayers, and I encourage everyone there to take what they are practicing and do it in their lives, after.

    Roy Mantelli
    Alumni
  • Over the past year, I’ve been putting into actin what Discovery Place taught me, and I have experienced a complete perspective change of the world, and the people in it. I get to be a man of service and love today, and for that I am grateful to Discovery Place.

    Matt Kassay
    Alumni
  • Discovery Place means the world to me. They showed me the tools that I’ve tried to use everyday in my life to think less often of myself, and more frequently of others. I am learning to lend a hand when I am able and to have a honest and humble relationship with God and the people around me. Not only am I clean and sober, but also I am happy and fulfilled.

    Tommy Parker
    Alumni
  • Discovery Place and the men who work there made recovery attractive, and more importantly, fun. There is strength in the struggle. I am forever grateful for my time at Discovery Place.

    Creed McClellan
    Alumni
  • When I got to Discovery Place my whole life was in shambles, but I didn’t know it. I spent 6 months in their programs, participating in all three phases, and was met with kindness and love all along the way. It is unbelievable to me, where I am now relative to where I was when I arrived at DP.

    Lance Duke
    Alumni
  • I can never say enough good things about Discovery Place and the people who work there. Before checking in to DP, I was out of options and out of answers. Fortunately, Discovery Place has a solution. Taking suggestions from the staff at DP saved my life, and as a result, I’m now more content and hopeful about life. I’m grateful for Discovery Place showing me how to live a healthy life so that I can become a better man and help the next guy.”

    Tyler Buckingham
    Alumni

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