Entering a cocaine addiction treatment center is often done only after a person has suffered an overdose. Too little attention is placed on learning drug overdose symptoms or what to do in case of an overdose. Understanding what drug overdose symptoms to look forward to can be a matter of life or death. If you or a loved one could be prone to cocaine overdose, contact Recovery Ranch PA online or call 717.969.9126 to learn more about our options for drug and alcohol detox in Wrightsville, PA. We can help you or your loved one break free from addiction and prevent future overdoses.
How Overdoses Happen
Most cases of drug overdose are accidental. If a person starts exhibiting drug overdose symptoms, it is likely that they did not intend to end up in this position and did so for one of the following reasons:
- They did not know the strength of the drug they took, or they were relapsing and didn’t account for needing a smaller dose.
- The drug was laced with something else that intensified the effect.
- They forgot they had already taken a prescribed dose and took another one.
When an overdose happens, knowing drug overdose symptoms can help those around the person take quicker action to get help.
Drug Overdose Symptoms to Watch Out For
The symptoms of a drug overdose can vary depending on the drug that was taken. Be aware of any of the following symptoms that are out of the ordinary. The person will likely exhibit more than one, but even one can indicate something is going wrong:
- Vital signs like respiration rate, body temperature, or heart rate are abnormal
- Extra sleepiness, confusion, or coma
- Skin can be cold and clammy (cold sweat) or hot and dry to the touch
- Convulsions may occur, either in specific body parts (like legs and arms) or as full-body seizures.
- The person feels chest pain or has trouble breathing
- Severe abdominal pain, possibly with vomiting or diarrhea
- Breathing becomes very slow and shallow or rapid, like panting
- Lips and fingers may turn bluish (cyanosis), indicating insufficient oxygen
Stimulant overdose can cause the person to hallucinate, act aggressively, or exhibit other psychotic symptoms. If the person appears unusually agitated, try to keep them someplace where they can’t harm themselves or others. During a psychotic episode, much of the surroundings may appear distorted and dangerous to the person.
Overdosing on drugs can cause severe damage to the brain, heart, and lungs. If you or a loved one experiences any drug overdose symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately. Without timely intervention, an overdose can result in permanent organ damage or even death.
What to Do in Case of an Overdose
Once you notice someone experiencing drug overdose symptoms, immediately call 911. Until help arrives, stay with the person. If they are unconscious, turn them onto their side. In case they vomit, you don’t want them to choke or breathe in the matter.
Many people panic when an overdose occurs because they are afraid of getting into legal trouble. In many places, what is now known as the Good Samaritan Laws are in place to prevent that. These laws state you can’t get in trouble for doing the right thing and reporting the overdose.
Once help arrives, it will help the emergency responders to know what drug was taken. Be willing to cooperate as much as possible and share whatever information you have. In the case of a drug overdose, the person is very unlikely to be able to respond helpfully and is dependent upon those around to do so for them.
Connect with Recovery Ranch PA and Start Addiction Treatment Today
Once you take that first step toward recovery, Recovery Ranch PA will help you take the rest. Our dedicated staff believes in you and wants you to learn to believe in yourself. Don’t let an overdose be the reason you reach out. Contact our team online or call 717.969.9126 to learn how you can avoid cocaine overdose and recover from addiction.
