According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), opioid overdose deaths in America actually decreased in 2023, with an estimated 81,083 compared to 84,181 in 2022. While these numbers are still too high, knowing the signs of opioid overdose can help continue this downward trend in the future. And if you or someone you love is struggling with opioid abuse, quickly recognizing common opioid overdose symptoms can make all the difference in preventing an untimely death.
Understanding Opioid Addiction: Why Can You Overdose?
Prescription opioids are legal drugs recommended by doctors to help alleviate pain. However, as opioids are used regularly over time, they can cause addiction. When this happens, your brain has developed a chemical dependency on these painkiller pills, motivating you to continue to take them. Because your brain and body believe these opioids are important to function, you can actually experience opioid withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop.
As your entrenched opioid use continues, you can exhibit signs of opioid abuse and addiction like fatigue, sudden weight loss, and financial challenges as you spend money to obtain your pills illegally. Your body will also build up a tolerance to the pills over time. This means you have to increase your dosage and frequency to achieve the same euphoria and dopamine rush you experienced when you first started using.
Your built-up opioid tolerance unfortunately puts you at risk of an opioid overdose. This can happen when you have too many opioids in your system or mix your opioids with other drugs or alcohol. When your system is overwhelmed with opioids, your breathing becomes reduced and your heart rate slows or stops. Normal blood flow gets suppressed, and your brain’s oxygen flow decreases. These effects can combine to cause seizures, permanent brain damage, heart attacks, choking, and death.
What are Signs of Opioid Overdose to Look Out For?
As you can see, an opioid addiction can be very dangerous. That’s why it’s important to understand the signs of opioid overdose, as it can be the difference between life or death. After all, opioid overdose is life-threatening and requires immediate action. So what are the signs of opioid overdose you should learn to recognize? According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the signs and symptoms of opioid overdose may include:
Common Signs of Opioid Overdose
- Blue or purple fingernails and lips
- Unresponsive to voice or touch
- Pinpoint pupils (center part of eye is very small)
- Slow, irregular, or stopped breathing
- Slow heartbeat or low blood pressure
- Pale, clammy skin
The National Harm Reduction Coalition shares that opioid overdose symptoms can also include a loss of consciousness, being awake but unable to talk, vomiting, going limp, or choking or snore-like gurgling sounds sometimes called the “death rattle.”
How to Respond to the Signs of Opioid Overdose
If you see any of these signs of opioid overdose in yourself or a loved one, you must act quickly. We’ll repeat—you must take action at that moment if you recognize any opioid overdose symptoms. The negative consequences of an overdose can occur in as early as a few minutes.
If the person seems unresponsive, try verbal or physical stimulation (such as yelling their name or rubbing your knuckles on their sternum) to revive them. When this doesn’t work, call 911 immediately to ask for help. Many states have 911 good samaritan laws to protect bystanders and users themselves if they call for medical assistance for a drug overdose.
If you have naloxone on hand—a safe medication that can counter the effects of an opioid overdose—you should administer it right away. Try to keep the person conscious and breathing if they’re awake. Perform CPR or rescue breathing immediately if they are not breathing. If they are breathing but unresponsive, put them on their side in the recovery position and stay with them until emergency help arrives.
Signs of Opioid Overdose: Prevention Tips
If you or a loved one is taking prescription opioids, you need to understand that an opioid overdose can happen to anyone at any time. After all, one person dies from an opioid overdose every 5 minutes, shares the National Harm Reduction Coalition. At the same time, you can help prevent the signs of an opioid overdose from occurring by taking intentional opioid overdose prevention steps, shares the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), including:
- Taking medication only as prescribed by your doctor
- Not taking more medication (or more often) than instructed
- Never mixing medication with alcohol, sleeping pills, or illicit drugs
- Never taking anyone else’s medication
- Preventing ingestion by others by storing your medication out of reach or in a secure place.
- Disposing of medication safely
However, if you are concerned you or a loved one may be abusing opioids, the most important opioid overdose prevention you can take is to seek professional, evidence-based treatment for opioid addiction.
Comprehensive Opioid Addiction Treatment in New England
Are you or a loved one addicted to opioids? Don’t let the signs of opioid overdose linger as a constant risk. With holistic drug rehab, you can overcome your addiction safely and find long-term healing. At Sana at Stowe in Stowe, VT, we provide comprehensive opioid addiction treatment that addresses the root causes of your addiction, empowering you to reclaim your life for good. To learn more about our New England-based treatment programs, contact us today.
