Overdose

Overdose can happen when…
- You mix downers and downers (alcohol and oxys)
- You mix uppers with uppers (crystal meth and E)
- You mix downers with uppers (alcohol and coke)
- You do too much of one drug
- You are taking too many drugs at once
- After a period of abstinence, you use the same amount as prior to abstaining
- You are not aware of what you used, or how much
Stimulants (uppers) speed up the central nervous system.
- Cocaine/crack cocaine
- Amphetamines
- Methamphetamines
- MDMA
- Adderall
- Ephedra
- Caffeine
- Steroids
- Ecstasy (hallucinogen – has stimulant properties)
- Nicotine
- Ritalin
Uppers inhibit your ability to process information and can affect breathing, heart rate and motor coordination.
Signs of stimulant overdose…
- Redness in the face
- Pain and numbness in the chest, arms, and neck
- Rapid breathing, eye movement, pale skin
- Hot to the touch
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea, sweating
- Increased heart rate
- Twitching
- Seizures
- Blue lips
- Shallow breathing
Care for overdose on stimulants…
- Call 911 and give as much information as possible about substances used (if known)
- Clear space if seizing or convulsing
- Time Seizures
- Apply cold towel or ice if burning up
- Check signs of heart attack (chest pain, numbness in the arm, neck or jaw)
- Check for breathing, if not breathing, perform CPR, if properly trained
- Put in recovery position. If you can’t, tilt body forward and keep airway open
Depressants (downers) slow down the nervous system.
- Alcohol
- Special K
- Opiates (Morphine, Oxycontin, Percocet, Percodan, Fentanil, Hydromorphone etc.)
- Benzodiazepines (anti anxiety medication)
- Barbiturates (sedatives, sleeping medication)
- Methadone
- Heroin
- GHB
Signs of overdose on depressants…
- Blue around the mouth
- Weak or absent pulse
- Passed out or unconscious
- Loss of bladder control
- Low body temperature
- Seizures
- Confusion
Care for overdose on depressants…
- Call 911. Be prepared to share as much information as you know about the person and what they used
- Check breathing and pulse
- Keep person as alert as possible
- Be prepared to do CPR, if you have the proper training
- Put person in recovery position (turned on the side)
What NOT to do when dealing with an overdose…
- Avoid calling 911 for fear of getting in trouble
- Stick anything in the person’s mouth
- Restrain person if he/she is seizing
- Leave person unattended
- GIVE DRUGS TO COUNTERACT THE OVERDOSE, except Naloxone for opioid overdose