Opiate overdose symptoms result from a nearly lethal dose of heroin, OxyContin, Codeine, Demerol and other opium-based narcotics. Both the prescription and illegal opiates can produce an overdose, and those overdoses are increasing. The University of Maryland’s 2010 study found that the rate of overdose from prescription opiates and heroin rose 291 percent between 1993 and 2007. Those rates reflect a growing epidemic, but you don’t have to become a statistic. The signs of an overdose manifest rapidly. However, they are treated just as quickly with emergency care and the right opiate overdose treatment information.
Leading up to an Overdose
Before an addict overdoses, he builds an addiction to an opiate. The addiction comes with a physical and psychological dependence that drives the addict to seek higher doses of the opiate. Dependence begins to form the first time that the drug is abused for a high. The addict mentally becomes dependent on the way the drug makes him feel. As it builds tolerance, the body needs more opiate to ward off withdrawal symptoms. Those symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Abdominal cramps
- Dilated pupils
- Insomnia
- Muscle aches
- Nausea
The body’s need for opiates is now similar to the need for medicine to treat a chronic disease. When a chronically ill patient stops taking the medication, the disease wreaks havoc on the body. A physical opiate dependence works in the same way. Unfortunately, while keeping the body going, there is no high. The addict must take more of the drug to get the high. He is also convinced that his life is better while high on the opiates. This is the psychological dependence. All of this leads to a growing need to take high doses of opiates with shorter intervals between those doses. Usually the next signs of abuse are the opiate overdose symptoms.
Signs of an Overdose on Opiates
After a large dose of opiates that are more than the body can handle, the addict will exhibit signs of an overdose. Look for one or more of the following symptoms:
- Blue Lips and fingers
- Shallow breathing
- Slow pulse
- Unconsciousness
- Vomiting
- Eyes that seem to roll back into the head
Opiates are depressants. They slow the respiration, heart rate and inhibit the central nervous system. During an overdose, the lack of oxygen deprives the blood and the rest of body. The body systems start to fail, which could be fatal if emergency measures aren’t taken.
Treatment for the Overdose
If you see any of these opiate overdose symptoms in a person, or you experience any of these symptoms on your own, call 911 immediately. Follow the instructions of the 911 operator. Those instructions will probably include rescue breathing or CPR. Opiate overdose treatment depends on recovering the addict’s normal breathing. Rescue breathing is a way to do this until the medical professionals arrive. Another option is a drug that the addict may have on him. The drug is Narcan, also known as naloxone. It is given to addicts from several sources. You can inject the addict with the drug, as instructed by the 911 operator. The emergency medical technicians will administer the drug if you don’t. In fact, expect a flurry of activity. The addict will be:
- Fitted with a breathing assistance apparatus that administers 100 percent oxygen.
- Injected with Narcan if it hasn’t been administered already.
- Loaded onto an ambulance and transported to the hospital.
- Worked on to recover the breathing back to a level that brings oxygen into the body.
- Injected with Narcan every few minutes until the addict is breathing on his own and is semi-conscious.
Once the overdose treatment is finished, the addict usually receives treatment for opiate withdrawals. Actually, recovery from the overdose should end with an introduction into a rehabilitation program to get rid of the opiates for good.
The Relapse Hazard
A second and very common cause of overdose in opiate addicts is a return to the drugs after recovery. Once the opiates are out of the system, and the dependency issues have subsided, the drug is a lot more harmful. When the addicts relapse after recovery, they go back to the dose of opiates that the addicts last knew. An overdose occurs next, which may be fatal if no one is around to help.
Seeking Treatment
If you or someone you know has experienced an overdose, or has the signs of dependency that lead to one, contact a nearby treatment facility. Get the resources and support needed to overcome the addiction before the opiate overdose symptoms are upon you.
My Record Journal. Parents Learn to Treat Overdose.
