More than 760,000 people have died from a drug overdose since 1999, and in 2020, nearly 75% of those overdose deaths involved opioids, shares the US Department of Health and Human Services. Simply put, the opioid epidemic plays too large of a role in our society right now. With that said, if you think your loved one is abusing opioids, knowing the signs of opioid overdose can help ensure that they’re not another statistic if an overdose occurs. It can be the difference between life or death.
Why Opioid Overdose Happens
Taking prescription opioids your doctor prescribed for pain is perfectly legal. But the sad part is, people following their prescription over time can become addicted to these opioids. Such an addiction can occur once your brain has developed a chemical dependence on your opioid prescription. When this happens, your body believes these pills are absolutely necessary. And if you try to stop taking your prescription, you often experience difficult opioid withdrawal symptoms as a result.
As you continue regularly using opioids, signs of opioid abuse and addiction can start to surface. You may deal with chronic fatigue or experience sudden weight loss. At the same time, your body will develop a tolerance to your chosen opioids. That means you amp up your dosage and take pills more often to achieve the same dopamine rush you’re used to getting from your medication.
This increased tolerance for opioids puts you in the vulnerable position for a potential overdose. When you experience an overdose, it’s often due to having too much of the drug in your system or mixing your pills with alcohol or other drugs. Once your body is overwhelmed with opioids, it starts down a dangerous path: shorter breaths, slower heart beats, low blood and oxygen levels, and more. Before long, you’re at risk for seizures, choking, brain damage, heart attack, and sadly, death.
What are Signs of Opioid Overdose You Need to Know?
In honest truth, an opioid overdose is a life-threatening matter, and it can happen quickly. That means your response needs to be fast—and this starts by confidently knowing the signs of opioid overdose. So what are the signs of opioid overdose that are most important to look out for? Common signs and symptoms of opioid overdose, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, can include:
Outward Signs of Opioid Overdose
- Slow heartbeat or low blood pressure
- Pinpoint pupils (center part of your eye is very small)
- Unresponsive to voice or touch
- Blue or purple fingernails and lips
- Pale, clammy skin
- Slow, irregular, or stopped breathing
Other telltale opioid overdose symptoms can include vomiting, going limp, being unconscious, or being awake but not able to talk, shares the National Harm Reduction Coalition. Choking or gurgling, snore-like sounds called the “death rattle” are also noticeable signs of opioid overdose.
If You See Signs of Opioid Overdose, What Should You Do?
You must act quickly if you recognize any of the above opioid overdose symptoms. There’s no time to waste. In just a few minutes, an overdose’s debilitating effects can take over. So what should you do if you see the signs of opioid overdose?
If your loved one isn’t responding, first try to revive them physically or verbally, such as shouting their name or rubbing your knuckles on their sternum. If nothing changes, call 911 immediately. Don’t let contacting the authorities hold you back: many states have 911 good samaritan laws that give bystanders and drug users immunity if they seek medical assistance for a drug overdose.
Naloxone, an effective medication at countering opioid overdose symptoms, should be administered right away if you happen to have it on hand. Try to keep your loved one conscious and breathing if they are awake. But if they’re not breathing, utilize CPR or rescue breathing immediately. Put them in the recovery position on their side if they begin to breathe but remain unresponsive and stay with them until help arrives.
Preventing the Signs of Opioid Overdose Before They Start
It’s important to know that an opioid overdose can happen to anyone at any time, and especially unintentionally. If your loved one is taking opioids, there are some intentional preventative measures you can take to keep the signs of an opioid overdose from ever taking place. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, these opioid overdose prevention steps include:
- Disposing of medication safely
- Never mixing medication with sleeping pills, illicit drugs, or alcohol
- Never using someone else’s medication
- Taking medication only as prescribed by your doctor
- Not changing your dose or frequency without your doctor’s consent
- Storing medication out of reach or in a secure location to prevent accidental ingestion
With that said, what should you do if your loved one is abusing opioids? The best opioid overdose prevention step you can take is to encourage them to get help for drug addiction at a professional treatment center. They simply can’t overcome their drug dependence on their own.
Struggling with Opioid Abuse? We Can Help
The signs of opioid overdose can always linger as a constant risk if you’re addicted to prescription drugs. But it doesn’t have to be this way. At Integrative Life Center, our opioid addiction treatment and fentanyl addiction treatment programs can help your loved one break free from addiction and restore the life they deserve. To learn more, contact our team now.
