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Signs and Symptoms of a Drug Overdose Emergency
(Indictors of drug overdose differ depending upon the type of drug consumed.)
In general, the overdose victim:
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May not awaken when roused.
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May not respond to painful stimulation such as rubbing knuckles across his or her sternum.
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May exhibit blue/purple lips, face and hands.
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May snore or struggle for breath.
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May complain of elevated body temperature.
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May vomit.
If someone is making unfamiliar sounds while “sleeping” it is worth trying to wake him or her up. You may think a person is snoring, when in fact the person is overdosing.
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If you suspect someone is experiencing a drug overdose, you must react to this true medical emergency by calling “911” without delay. |
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DO:
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Tell medical professionals everything that the victim consumed or may have consumed.
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Follow the directions of the “911” operator.
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Stay with the victim until help arrives.
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Choose life first, all other considerations must come second.
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DO NOT:
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Allow the victim to “sleep it off”.
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Put the victim in a bath or shower.
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Inject the victim with anything.
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Leave the victim alone.
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Treat the victim with home remedies that do not work and often postpone potentially life-saving medical treatment.
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Postpone calling “911” while cleaning up.
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Suffer a lifetime of regret for making the wrong choice.
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Demographic Indicators:
• White
• Male
• Approximately 39 years old
• High School Diploma or GED
• Employed
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Static Indicators:
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History of substance abuse
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History of drug related arrests
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History of substance abuse treatment
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History of mental health treatment
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History of non fatal drug overdose
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Under a physician’s care at time of death
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Circumstantial Indicators:
• Died at home
• Discovered by family member
• Last act = sleeping
• Found unconscious
• Others present at death scene
• Others aware of fatal drug use
• Others recognized distress
• Died from accidental multiple drug toxicity
• Most likely combinations = (alprazolam, oxycodone, cocaine, methadone)
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