This lack of oxygen can cause organ damage, unconsciousness, and even death. The rate of deaths from drug overdose has increased steadily over the past couple of decades. A drug overdose may occur when an individual consumes too much of a substance. Opioids, stimulants, and other substances can all cause an overdose.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 1,000 emergency department visits daily are related to opioid use and that there are about 91 opioid overdose deaths every day in the U.S. Using any kind of opioid has the potential to result in opioid overdose, whether it’s a prescription or nonprescription opioid. About 75% of opioid overdoses are due to nonmedical use of synthetic opioids — mainly forms of nonmedical fentanyl. A drug overdose can occur after an individual takes too much of a medication or substance. Stimulants, alcohol, and benzodiazepines can also lead to drug overdose.
Age-adjusted drug overdose death rates were higher among males than females from 2009 to 2019.
Only half of countries provide access to effective treatment options for opioid dependence and less than 10% of people worldwide in need of such treatment are receiving it (5). If you take a prescription opioid, it’s important to teach your family and friends how to respond to an overdose. Store the opioids safely where children and others can’t find or access them. Police officers, emergency medical technicians and first responders carry and have training on how to give naloxone.
- Each line displays the difference between the observed and estimated rate of fatal drug OD.
- Only half of countries provide access to effective treatment options for opioid dependence and less than 10% of people worldwide in need of such treatment are receiving it (5).
- In most communities, any person can get and carry naloxone on them, not just medical professionals.
- “It is strongly recommended that anyone who uses illicit drugs, including counterfeit … pharmaceuticals, to carry naloxone.”
- Medical personnel may pump the person’s stomach to eradicate the substance and administer activated charcoal or medicines to counteract it.
Opiates occur in nature, though they can still be very dangerous in their purified and concentrated forms. In many cases, a person who overdoses generally recovers completely and without lasting physical disability. Anyone experiencing a substance use disorder should seek treatment to address their symptoms.
Opioid overdose deaths remain high
They may also find items or substances related to the overdose near the person. It can be difficult for people who use opioids or other substances to know what to expect when using nonmedical forms of opioids. This is because when they’re not regulated medically, they often have varying levels of potency.
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Oregon vs synthetic Oregon (A) and Washington vs synthetic Washington (B), January 2018-March 2022. The vertical line represents the implementation of Measure 110 and the Blake decision. All control units reflect an unweighted average rate of fatal drug overdose over the study period, inclusive of all 49 control units. The vertical line indicates the implementation of the drug policy change. The term “opioids” includes compounds that are extracted from the poppy plant (Papaver somniferum) as well as semisynthetic and synthetic compounds with similar properties that can interact with opioid receptors in the brain. Opioids have analgesic and sedative effects, and such medicines as morphine, codeine and fentanyl are commonly used for the management of pain.
Public Health
The drug drug overdose meaning naloxone (Narcan) can also help treat an opioid overdose by blocking opioids’ effects in the body. This medication is available in a nasal spray and as an intravenous injection at the hospital. A drug overdose is taking too much of a substance, whether it’s prescription, over-the-counter, legal, or illegal. If you’ve taken more than the recommended amount of a drug or enough to have a harmful effect on your body’s functions, you have overdosed. Rates for Oregon (A) and Washington (B) obtained from the National Vital Statistics System, January 2018-March 2022.
