Drug overdose treatment means getting rid of heroin paraphernalia.If you or a loved one have been abusing drugs, overdose is always possible. Drugs like prescription pain medications, cocaine, and heroin can easily lead to overdose. Sometimes, these overdoses can be fatal. Fortunately, drug overdose treatment is available.

In this article, we will explore what drug overdose is. We’ll also talk about what drug overdose treatment can do for you or your loved one to reduce the suffering.

About Drug Overdose

A drug overdose occurs when an individual uses too much of a particular drug or combination of drugs. Drug overdoses occur for different reasons. Often, an individual will overdose from a particular amount of one or several drugs. Yet, they may have taken that amount before and not overdosed.

This is because there are numerous factors that influence whether an individual overdoses on a drug or not. For example, overdoses may depend on the following:

  • How long it has been since the individual last used drugs
  • The size of an individual (how tall they are and how much they weigh)
  • Whether the individual is male or female
  • What the individual ate or drank that day

Intentional overdose occurs when an individual is attempting suicide. Accidental overdose occurs when drugs are taken to achieve a certain high, but accidentally, too much is consumed. Any type of overdose is a tragic situation that should be treated right away.

Signs of a Drug Overdose

What an overdose looks like depends on numerous factors. Most importantly, the type of drug or drugs taken will affect the signs and symptoms. In general, however, these are the most common signs and symptoms of a drug overdose:

  • Chest pain, shallow breathing or difficulty breathing
  • Poor circulation causing blue fingers and lips
  • Stomach pain, nausea, and or vomiting
  • Severely dilated pupils
  • A blocked airway, indicated by gurgling sounds in the throat
  • Agitation, paranoia, tremors, seizures, or convulsions
  • Confusion, disorientation or unstable walking
  • Unresponsiveness, or unconsciousness
  • A complete cessation of breath

What Is Drug Overdose Treatment?

If you are near someone who is overdosing on drugs, it is essential that you act as soon as possible. You should use the list above to notice the signs and symptoms of drug abuse. From there, it’s essential that you get professional help. Call 911 immediately.

In the meantime, you can do the following:

1. Check the heart rate and breathing of the individual. If they are not conscience, try to shake them to get them to open their eyes and wake up. You want a response from them. Ask them questions and speak to them.

2. If you cannot get a response from the individual, ensure that they are turned on their side while laying down. If they vomit, they will not choke.

3. If you are certified, perform CPR or give first aid as needed.

4. Never give the individual anything else to drink, eat, or take in pill or liquid form. This includes any medications or over-the-counter drugs.

5. While you await professional medical help, get as much information as you can so that you are prepared when the EMTs arrive. You’ll want to know what drugs the individual took and how much. You’ll also want to know when the individual took the drugs. If you don’t already know, find out the individual’s name, age, and any pertinent medical history as well.

6. Try to stay calm and await medical professionals.

Is Long-Term Drug Overdose Treatment Available?

Yes. Once an individual experiences a drug overdose, getting long-term help for substance abuse and addiction is absolutely necessary. The individual should seek professional help even if they don’t have any other addictive behaviors. A drug overdose is a life-threatening situation that needs to be addressed.

Professional drug overdose treatment can be received at a drug and alcohol treatment center like Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville, Florida. We offer a myriad of amazing programs to help you get through treatment successfully. We’ll also help you stay sober after you return to your normal routine. Our programs include:

For more information on drug overdose treatment, call Beaches Recovery at 866.605.0532. And remember that your life matters. Get the help you need for your drug addiction. Beaches Recovery is here to help you get started as soon as today.