CPR and First Aid for Drug overdose: What You Need to Know

Drug overdose can happen to anyone, even the most careful and responsible people.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug overdoses are the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, taking more lives than car accidents and gun violence combined.

To avoid these deaths, it’s important to understand how to recognize an overdose when it occurs and what you can do to save your friend or family member’s life until emergency services arrive.

This post discusses drug overdose, its causes, symptoms, and CPR and first aid for drug overdose.

What is Drug overdose?

A drug overdose occurs when someone takes more than their body can handle. This can happen when a person takes too much of one drug, such as cocaine or heroin, or mixes different drugs that increase each other’s effects.

The severity of an overdose depends on several factors:

  • The type of drug involved (some are more toxic than others)
  • The manner in which it was taken (ingested, injected, snorted)
  • The amount taken by the person who has overdosed (more is always more toxic)
  • The way the body metabolizes drugs (some people break down drugs faster than others)
  • How long it has been since the last time they used the drug (withdrawal symptoms can be more severe with longer periods between use).
  • Whether the person has taken the drug before (experience affects tolerance for drugs)

The health status of the person who has overdosed may also determine the severity (a healthy person will probably recover more easily).

How an Overdose Happens

A drug overdose can happen in a number of ways.

  1. Illegal drugs

The most common way is through the use of illegal drugs. This can include prescription medication that has been taken in an incorrect manner or by someone who does not have a prescription for it.

  1. Legal drugs

Another way is through the abuse of alcohol or other legal substances, such as cough syrup or cold medicine.

  1. Taking more than the recommended dose

Overdoses can happen when someone takes more than the recommended dose on purpose or by accident.

This can happen because they don’t know their limits. They are so used to using their drug that they forget how much they’ve taken. Or because they are taking other drugs that interact with the one they are taking and make it more potent.

Drugs like heroin, cocaine, amphetamines & methamphetamines all have different effects on your body but all have one thing in common– they suppress your breathing.

If you take too much of any of these types of drugs, your breathing will slow down until it stops completely.

Some people die from respiratory failure caused by overdosing on these types of drugs, while others may die from heart failure due to low blood pressure (also known as hypovolemic shock).

CPR and First Aid for Drug Overdose: How Do I Know If Someone Needs Help?

It can be difficult to tell whether someone is suffering from a drug overdose or something else, but there are warning signs. If someone exhibits multiple symptoms at once, and their situation seems more dire than normal, it’s time to seek help.

For example, if someone who normally speaks with a clear voice begins slurring words together and loses coordination in their hands and legs, they may be experiencing an overdose.

Signs and symptoms of drug overdose 

The signs and symptoms of drug overdose can vary depending on the type and amount of drug taken, as well as the person’s health and other factors. However, there are some general signs of an overdose that apply to most drugs.

The following are some of the most common symptoms of drug overdose:

  • Changes in behaviour, such as agitation or confusion
  • Confusion or mental status changes — such as difficulty concentrating, speaking clearly, or understanding what others are saying — may be present.
  • Seizures (convulsions) may occur.
  • Unusual sleepiness or extreme drowsiness
  • Slowed heartbeat
  • Slow breathing rate (less than 8 breaths per minute)
  • Bluish skin coloration (bluish lips and nail beds) due to lack of oxygen in the body (cyanosis) during drug overdose
  • Low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fainting or loss of consciousness

If you’re concerned about someone experiencing an overdose and aren’t sure what type of medical attention they need, call 911 immediately. It could save a life!

CPR and First Aid for Drug Overdose: Steps to Take if They are Unconscious

If you think someone has overdosed, call 911. If they are not breathing or if they do not have a pulse, give them CPR. Administering CPR on a drug overdose victim will help keep oxygen circulating through their body while they wait for medical help.

  1. Stay calm. 

If you’re the one who has overdosed, try not to panic. Panicking will only make things worse.

  1. Check for breathing problems. 

Look for shallow breathing or snoring sounds coming from the person’s chest and listen for coughing or gurgling noises coming from their mouth and throat — signs that they might be choking on vomit or fluids in their lungs.

If you detect any of these symptoms, call 911 right away and begin CPR andfirst aid for drug overdose if needed.

  1. Protect yourself from exposure to bodily fluids (blood and vomit). 

Don’t touch anything with visible blood unless it’s absolutely necessary; use gloves if available (if not, use something like paper towels.

  1. Monitor the victim

Remove any harmful objects (such as needles) from around them; keep them warm; don’t leave them alone until help arrives; try talking to them—you may be able to keep them awake until paramedics arrive.

  1. Administer Naloxone

Next, administer naloxone immediately. But this will only work if the victim has overdosed on an opiate.

The chances of survival after an overdose greatly increase if people nearby have naloxone (or Narcan). Naloxone is a medication that can temporarily reverse overdoses caused by opiates like heroin and prescription painkillers. This could save their life!

Administering naloxone will also make sure that your friend or family member doesn’t go into cardiac arrest before emergency responders arrive at your location.

Naloxone can take a few minutes to kick in; do not leave your friend unattended while waiting for first responders, who will arrive with supplies of their own.

And be sure to let first responders know that your friend has overdosed and could need additional doses of naloxone. They will carry more than one vial with them and will also provide instructions on when and how much further doses should be administered.

Accidental Opioid Overdose

If you or someone in your family has an addiction to drugs, including prescription medication, it is vital that you understand what an accidental overdose is and how to prevent it.

Although addiction can be successfully treated, approximately 60% of individuals who are addicted to prescription painkillers do not receive treatment.

What is an accidental overdose?

The most serious risk with prescription drugs is accidental overdose. This can occur when a person takes more than one drug containing opioids at a time (for example, combining alcohol with pain medications or mixing pain medications with anti-anxiety pills).

An overdose can also occur if a person takes more of a drug than prescribed by their doctor. If someone accidentally overdoses on opioids seek medical attention immediately by calling 911, even if they appear to be breathing normally.

An accidental opioid overdose is caused by taking too much of an opioid painkiller such as oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percocet®, Percodan®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®, Lortab®, Norco®), codeine, morphine, fentanyl, and others.

The amount that causes an overdose varies from person to person depending on body size and whether it’s taken with other drugs or alcohol.

Other forms of accidental opioid overdose

An accidental overdose may also mean a child (or even adult) overdosing on a drug without their knowledge.

Accidental overdoses may also happen when someone accidentally takes too much of a drug or mixes drugs with alcohol and other substances without realizing the danger they are putting themselves in.

Preventing Accidental overdoses

  • Do not mix drugs or prescription drugs that you don’t understand.
  • Label and store prescription drugs in separate tins
  • Make sure all prescription medications are kept out of reach and sight of children. It may be helpful to lock up these medications if possible.

Also, talk with your doctor about how you can safely dispose of any unused medications after you have finished a prescription or no longer need them.

Heroin/Opioid Overdose

A lot of heroin users use heroin alone, so if you’re with someone who overdoses and stops breathing, call 911 immediately.

If you see symptoms like vomiting or shallow breathing, administer naloxone—Narcan is a nasal spray that can be purchased at many pharmacies without a prescription.

Naloxone works by blocking opioid receptors in your brain, reversing an overdose and allowing time for emergency services to arrive. The overdose-reversing drug naloxone (brand name Narcan) is now being offered over-the-counter at many pharmacies across Ohio.

This means family members and caregivers of addicts may be able to obtain it without having to ask their doctors first.

Alcohol Poisoning: CPR and First Aid for Drug Overdose

When someone drinks too much alcohol, their body can no longer effectively regulate its temperature or control its breathing.

Alcohol poisoning occurs when there’s a dangerously high level of alcohol in your blood, and it can lead to serious health problems or even death if left untreated. In some cases, symptoms will start within just 15 minutes after drinking begins, but in others, they may take hours to develop.

If you think someone has overdosed on alcohol, call 911 immediately. Until paramedics arrive, you can help reduce your friend’s chances of going into a coma or dying by following these steps:

Perform CPR and first aid for drug overdose if the victim isn’t breathing

Help them lie down and put them in the recovery position if they are unconscious or vomiting.

If you think they might have taken more than one drug, take immediate action and call 911 as soon as possible, even if you don’t see any symptoms of an overdose.

Be careful to avoid touching any spilled drugs so that you don’t accidentally ingest any yourself and end up with an overdose of your own.

Always err on the side of caution when it comes to an overdose situation—too much of a drug is not necessarily better than too little!

Anti-Nausea Medications

One of the most common side effects of overdosing on drugs is nausea. If you’re suffering from nausea, take anti-nausea medication.

The best way to prevent or treat nausea is through medications, such as:

  •  Promethazine (Phenergan) and
  • Chlorpromazine (Thorazine).

While many over-the-counter drugs can help reduce symptoms, some—such as dextromethorphan—may make a drug overdose worse.

Other simple remedies that may work include sucking on ice chips or eating crackers while avoiding spicy foods and caffeine until feeling better. It’s also important to drink plenty of water when taking an anti-nausea medication.

Water and Activated Charcoal

Your goal is to remove a toxin from your body, so one of these antidotes can do just that. Activated charcoal helps rid your body of excess medications and toxins by binding them up and preventing them from absorbing into your body.

It also won’t harm you if you take it after a drug overdose; in fact, it may help. If you know or think someone has taken too much medication or recreational drugs, give them activated charcoal—and make sure they drink lots of water at the same time.

While you wait for medical attention, try to keep them awake and breathing steadily. Call 911 immediately if they lose consciousness or start vomiting violently. The sooner an overdosed patient gets treatment, the better their chances are of survival.

Understanding Naloxone: CPR and First Aid for Drug Overdose

Naloxone is a prescription drug administered through a nasal spray or injection to reverse an accidental opioid overdose. Known by its brand name Narcan, naloxone has been used by first responders and in hospitals since 1971.

It reverses potentially fatal respiratory depression caused by an overdose from heroin, painkillers like oxycodone and Vicodin, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl. But it CAN’T reverse an overdose from alcohol or benzodiazepines like Xanax, Ativan, or Valium.

Naloxone is a medication that can save lives when used properly. The key to using naloxone is knowing how to administer it if someone you know experiences a drug overdose.

How to administer naloxone

If you see symptoms of drug overdose, follow these steps to administer naloxone:

  1. If possible, identify what type of opioid was taken
  2. Administer one dose of naloxone
  3. If there are no signs of breathing after three minutes, administer another dose
  4. Continue administering doses until emergency response arrives.

How Naloxone works

Naloxone is a safe and effective antidote that reverses overdoses from opioids like heroin and prescription painkillers, including fentanyl.

It works by binding to opioid receptors in your brain and temporarily blocking them from being activated by drugs or drug-like substances.

This allows your body’s natural endorphins—the chemicals that make you feel good when you eat chocolate or have sex—to activate those receptors instead.

Naloxone has been used since 1971 and has saved thousands of lives.

But it can only reverse an overdose caused by opioids; it doesn’t work on other types of overdoses, so if someone takes something else, naloxone won’t help.

Statistics about Drug Overdose

Drug overdose is a medical emergency. It can cause death if it’s not treated.

In 2016, there were more than 64,000drug overdoses in the United States. The numbers have been rising steadily since 2000.

And they’re expected to continue to rise over the next decade. The opioid epidemic has reached crisis levels across the country.

Drug overdose stats

More than half of all drug overdose deaths involve an opioid.

  • In 2016 alone, more than 42,000 people died from an opioid overdose — a record high for U.S. history.
  • This includes prescription painkillers such as codeine, hydrocodone, morphine and oxycodone; heroin; synthetic opioids like fentanyl; and methadone.
  • The number of deaths involving opioids has been rising steadily since 2000.
  • It is expected to continue rising through 2025 due to widespread overprescription of these drugs by doctors, according to the (CDC).

Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of accidental death in America, surpassing traffic fatalities in 2015. In 2017, there were more than 70,000 deaths from drug overdoses.

Prescription Painkillers and How to Avoid Overdosing

Prescription painkillers are commonly prescribed after surgery, childbirth or an injury, but they can lead to addiction if taken too often or in high doses.

Prescription opioids include oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine sulfate (Avinza) and codeine compounds (Tylenol with Codeine).

These drugs work by binding to specific receptors in the brain that decrease pain signals sent from nerves throughout your body. They also reduce anxiety and produce feelings of euphoria.

In 2013, the CDC reported that prescription drug overdoses were responsible for 22,000 deaths in the United States. That figure exceeded that of cocaine and heroin combined.

The CDC also reported that painkillers were involved in over 60 percent of these deaths.

How to avoid overdosing on prescription drugs

  1. Know your limits

One way to avoid overdosing on drugs is by knowing your limits and sticking to them.

If you take any prescription medication, be sure that you have cleared it with your doctor first so that he or she knows exactly what dosage you are taking and when you should expect side effects from this medication (if any).

By knowing these things ahead of time, an emergency situation can be avoided if something does go wrong with your prescription drug regimen.

If you are taking over-the-counter medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen for pain relief, make sure that you don’t take more than one pill at once (or two at most).

  1. Discuss prescriptions with your doctor

If you do find yourself in need of more than this amount of pain relief, call your doctor immediately and ask whether there is anything else that could be done for your pain without having to take extra pills.

  1. Keep track of your daily doses

To help prevent overdose, always keep track of all the medications that you take on a daily basis and make sure that they don’t exceed the recommended dose for each type of drug.

Be sure to inform all doctors involved in your care about any other medications that you may be taking so they can make adjustments accordingly if necessary.

Overdose Versus Withdrawal Symptoms

You can’t always prevent a drug overdose, but you can be prepared to respond in an emergency. Overdoses are emergencies, so get medical help right away.

An overdose is different from withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal happens when your body adjusts to having less of a drug in your system after you stop using it. Withdrawal symptoms are usually milder than an overdose and they go away on their own after a while.

An overdose can cause brain damage and death.

Withdrawal symptoms include:

  • nausea and vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • sweating
  • chills or fever
  • confusion or trouble thinking clearly (cognitive dysfunction)

If you or someone you love is abusing drugs, you should seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid further damage to your health and well-being. The sooner you get help, the better your chances are for a successful recovery from addiction.

Last Words on CPR and First Aid for Drug Overdose

Hopefully, you learned a few things from this blog post that will prevent overdose in yourself and others. And allow you to help save someone’s life if they do overdose.

Here’s a pro tip: while a correct response is important, rapid response is critical to saving a life.

Additionally, if you are currently using prescription drugs, it is crucial to always be cognizant of the dosage and frequency that has been prescribed by a physician. What’s more, over-the-counter drugs can also cause similar symptoms.

If you suspect that an overdose has occurred, seek immediate medical attention. Most overdoses are treatable if prompt professional assistance is available.