Depressants, or central nervous system depressants, include drugs like sedatives, tranquilizers, and hypnotics. Common depressant drugs include Xanax and Valium. These drugs slow down the user’s heart rate, breathing, and can lower blood pressure. While a pill overdose on these drugs is not always fatal, taking large amounts is dangerous and can lead to death.3 

Including prescription drugs like Oxycontin, fentanyl, and Vicodin, as well as illegal drugs like heroin, opioids are the cause of many pill overdoses. In fact, so many people abuse opioids that America is in a full-blown opioid epidemic.  In 2019, over ten million people in the U.S. misused prescription opioids, indicating the danger of this drug and the risk of a pill overdose.4

An alcohol overdose can be very dangerous and can even have fatal results, especially when it is combined with other substances. It’s important to look for serious signs of alcohol overdose, like confusion, clammy skin, slow heartbeat, and loss of consciousness, if you suspect someone has had too much alcohol.

Stimulants, such as cocaine, ecstasy, methamphetamine, and prescription stimulants like Adderall, can be dangerous when used in excess. Stimulant overdose symptoms involve a rapid heart rate, possible chest pain, and increased body temperature.

While some people only experience short-term effects of an overdose of drugs, others face much longer-term effects. Opioid overdose’s aftereffects include fatigue, nausea, and sometimes a long-term fear or trauma from the experience.

Other long-term side effects of overdose include:

The most obvious way to avoid a drug overdose is to not use drugs, or use prescription drugs only at their prescribed dose. However, there are other ways to minimize the risk factors for drug overdoses.

Risk factors to be aware of include:

Keep medications stored in places where children cannot access them and be sure to put them away after each time you take them. Also, consider using a childproof latch or lock on the cabinet or drawer the medication is stored in. Even drugs prescribed by a doctor can be fatal, as prescription drug overdose is very possible.

This is especially important if you have health conditions or mental health disorders, as drug use with these risk factors may make overdose more likely. If you have depression or suicidal thoughts, reach out to your doctor and avoid substances.

You may accidentally take an old prescription, which can be dangerous when combined with other medications, or someone else in your household may take the drug intentionally or unintentionally, potentially leading to an overdose. 

In general, it is best not to combine substances, and always check with your doctor when implementing a new medication. Be sure to research any potential drug interactions between substances before taking more than one at once.

If you or a loved one struggles with substance use, or if you have experienced a drug overdose in the past, you may be feeling scared, overwhelmed, and unsure of where to go next. At Anew Treatment Center, your healing is our priority. With top-of-the-line, personalized drug overdose treatment and compassionate care, you can begin your journey to recovery at Anew Treatment Center.