Drug Overdose

A drug overdose can occur when and individual takes a larger dose of a drug than the body is able to handle. A drug overdose can on accident or on purpose. For instance, some drug overdoses occur as a result of an attempt to commit suicide or as self-harm. Most drug overdoses are accidental and are a result of intentional or unintentional misuse of recreational drugs or medication.

Drug overdose can occur when an individual is using illicit drugs and does not know the level of purity. The result is the individual taking an usual dosage but of higher purity, resulting in a drug overdose. A drug overdose can also occur if an individual is using illicit drugs and takes them in a much higher quantity than they normally would, or takes a �''regular�'' dose after a period of abstinence. Some drugs have a very little margin for error and users can easily overdose. For example, individual who inject cocaine can easily overdose accidentally, as the margin between a pleasurable drug sensation and an overdose is small. Accidental drug overdose is not as common with prescription drugs, because the strength and dosage is known.

When a drug overdose occurs, the effects and side effects of the drug will be heightened and more pronounced. The individual will experience problems with vital signs including temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure. Drug overdose can induce sleepiness, confusion, and coma which can be dangerous if the person breathes vomit into their lungs. The individual experiencing a drug overdose may experience chest pain which could be caused by heart or lung damage. Shortness of breath is typical and breathing may get rapid, slow, deep, or shallow. Drug overdose can also result in abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Vomiting blood, or blood in stools can be life threatening. In terms of short and long-term organ damage, specific drugs can damage specific organs, depending on the drug. The effects of a drug overdose can be life threatening if the individual does not seek immediate medical attention.

If an individual is lucky enough to receive medical attention in time, a drug overdose can be reversed or stabilized. Medical staff at an ER will ensure that the individual has a stable airway and breathing rate and circulatory system function is acceptable. If the individual is hypoxic or not breathing well or on their own, ventilation is used. The blood is often tested to determine what drugs were involved in the overdose and to what extent the individual overdosed on them. The individual will be monitored closely throughout the treatment process with particular attention to temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, blood pressure, urine output, and electrocardiography and oxygen level.

Drug overdose antidotes are available for certain drugs. For instance, Naloxone is used in the case of opioid and benzodiazepine overdose. It acts to completely reverse the effect of the poisoning drug. Poison control centers and medical toxicologists are always prepared to provide guidance in overdoses to both physicians and the general public.