We commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31 every year since it began in 2001, thanks to Sally J. Finn and her friend Peter Streker. Finn was at The Salvation Army in Australia, and her friend Strecker worked at the Community and Health Development Program. They wanted to highlight the consequences of overdose for both victims and their friends and family. As such, the purpose of Overdose Awareness Day is to raise awareness and remember the victims of drug-related overdoses, how it impacts their friends and family, and attempts to minimize the stigma toward overdose victims. But most of all, Overdose Awareness Days serve as a reminder of how life is precious, valuable, and irreplaceable.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse provides information about overdose death rates, which have escalated each year since 1999. By 2020, nearly 92,000 U.S. citizens died from a drug-involved overdose involving illicit drugs and prescription opioids.
Our purpose with this post is to openly educate individuals about what an overdose is, how to recognize the signs of drug addiction, and what to do in the event that a friend or loved one overdoses. We will also provide you with suggestions on how to observe International Overdose Awareness Day and the resources and treatment options available for drug addiction.
What is an Overdose?
MedlinePlus defines an overdose as an event when an individual “takes more than the normal or recommended amount of something, often a drug.” There are two main classifications for an overdose, including intentional and accidental. Oftentimes, an overdose leads to the death of an individual if not treated on time.
A published article in the National Library of Medicine goes into further detail about five major overdose classifications which include accidental, suicidal behavior, recreational/experimentation, compulsive use, and an indeterminate classification. By classifying an overdose into these classifications, it helps healthcare and mental health professionals treat underlying issues that may have led to an overdose.
There are also risk factors that increase the probability of suffering from an overdose, including improper storage or improperly sealed bottles, failing to follow dosage instructions, and a history of drug misuse, addiction, or mental health disorders.
No matter the classification or risk factors, you can recognize the signs of a drug addiction in friends or family that may lead them to suffer from an intentional/deliberate or accidental overdose. For more detailed information, you can read our “How do I know if I have a drug problem?” post.
How to Recognize Signs of a Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is also known as a substance use disorder. The Mayo Clinic defines it as “a disease that affects a person’s brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication.” There are a variety of drugs that may lead to an overdose, including prescription opioids, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Even though alcohol is not a drug, it is also a common addiction that affects millions of individuals in the U.S. due to alcohol dependence.
When a person abuses any drugs or alcohol, there are some general signs you can identify. According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the following signs to watch out for include the following:
- Experiencing problems at work or school: A person finds it difficult to concentrate at work or school which leads to frequently missing work, sudden disinterest, and poor performance at work or school.
- Physical health issues or lack of self-care: When a person shows changes in their physical appearance, such as losing or gaining weight, red or bloodshot eyes, bloody nose, shakes or tremors, slurred speech, lack of hygiene, or not eating or sleeping well.
- Changes in behavior: Oftentimes, there is an altered behavior where individuals have an increased sense of privacy or are being secretive against friends or family. They also present a lack of motivation or are easily agitated or defensive when asked about drug or alcohol use.
- Financial problems: When a person shows an unusual need for money as they may be spending more money than usual. Pay attention to sudden money requests and missing or stolen money that may be used to support drug abuse.
At the Alvarado Parkway Institute, we treat addictive disorders involving alcohol addiction, opioid use disorder, prescription drug addiction, and other substance use disorders. If you recognize any of the signs above in yourself or your loved ones, our substance use disorder program can help as it is abstinence-based and recovery-focused. Reach out to our trained call center staff who are ready to assist you at 619-333-7050 and are available 24/7 for more information.
What to Do if a Friend or Loved One Overdose
If you witness a friend or loved one overdose, there are a series of steps you can perform to ensure they receive the immediate help they need. We will provide you with those steps to serve you as a guide.
- Remain Calm
First and foremost, you must remain calm. Understandably, you may experience feelings of panic or anxiety, so take a deep breath and keep calm as you help your friend or loved one.
- Call 911 Immediately
Be prepared to provide information to emergency services, such as age, weight, height, and gender. You will also be asked questions to determine the overdose symptoms, and you will receive instructions on how to care for your friend or loved one until help arrives. Signs of an overdose vary depending on the type of drug abuse or whether these were taken in combination.
Signs of an overdose include the following:
- Opioids dull the senses and slow down breathing and heart rate. Look for signs of no response to stimuli, shallow breaths, no breathing, blue/gray lips, or unable to wake up.
- Depressants help individuals sleep, but excessive use affects breathing and heart rate. Looks for signs of vomiting, unresponsiveness (even when awake), shallow or erratic breaths or pulse, choking or gurgling sounds, or if they lose consciousness.
- Stimulants increase the heart rate, so in large doses, they can lead to anxiety, panic, or seizures. Look for signs of hot or sweaty skin, headaches, chest pain, rigid muscles, uncontrolled movements, tremors, spasms, or difficulty breathing.
- Alcohol works as a depressant and slows down messages from the brain to the body. Look for signs of confusion, lack of coordination, vomiting, seizures, irregular or slow breathing, low body temperature, or unconsciousness.
- Perform CPR or Recovery Position
If a friend or loved one stops breathing before emergency services arrive, you may need to perform CPR or put them in a recovery position. The American Red Cross organization offers CPR training for adults and children. It is a skill you can learn to help you save a life.
The recovery position allows the airways to remain open. Here are the steps:
- Support the face by placing the nearest arm at a right angle and the other hand against their cheek.
- Lift the far leg just above the knee and pull it up and keep the foot flat on the ground.
- While keeping their hand pressed to the cheek, pull the upper leg to roll them on their side.
- Most importantly, ensure you do not leave them alone and do not give them anything to eat and wait until help arrives.
Watch this video to learn how to place someone into the recovery position.
How to Observe International Overdose Awareness Day
Some ways to observe International Overdose Awareness Day include the following:
- Educate yourself about drug overdose.
- Learn how to perform CPR.
- Attend Narcan (Naloxone) training. It is used to reverse the effects of opioids.
- Attend an event or vigil in your area.
- Promote Overdose Awareness day on social media by posting a tribute or downloadable resources.
- You can wear the official purple and gray colors to show your support.
Resources and Treatment Options for Drug Addiction
There are multiple resources and treatment options for drug addiction, including behavioral counseling, outpatient behavioral treatments, and inpatient or residential treatments. To help you find substance use disorder treatment options near you, you can visit findtreatment.gov or call 800-662-HELP (4357).
At the Alvarado Parkway Institute, we treat a series of addictive disorders involving the following:
- Alcohol addiction: We focus on alcohol dependency and abuse, binge drinking, and heavy drinking.
- Opioid Use Disorder: Common opioids include heroin and pain medications, such as Oxycodone, Percocet, and Fentanyl.
- Prescription Drug Addiction: These involved approved medications that treat symptoms of diseases or other conditions. Some drugs that lead to prescription drug addiction include Oxycodone, Xanax, Valium, Adderall, Ritalin, Ambien, and Lunesta.
- Other substance use disorders: Methamphetamine, cannabis (marijuana abuse), crack/cocaine, inhalants, and synthetics.
If you recognize any of the signs above in yourself or your loved ones, our substance use disorder program can help as it is abstinence-based and recovery-focused. Reach out to our trained call center staff who are ready to assist you at 619-333-7050 and are available 24/7, or complete our contact form online for more information.
