< Back to Sound Advice
Overdose
It is possible to overdose on a range of different substances. These include:
- Opiates
- Heroin
- Morphine
- Diamorphine
- Dihydrocodeine
- Opium
- Opioids
- Methadone
- Fentanyl
- Alcohol
- Amphetamine
- Cocaine
Overdoses occur for the following reasons:
- Too much of a substance is taken.
- Substances are mixed. (If you take alcohol with an opiate you are far more likely to overdose).
- Reduced tolerance. If you have stopped taking a drug like heroin then go back to it and use the same amount your body will not be able to cope in the same way.
- Physical ill health and taking a substance.
- Being in a strange environment. (Research shows that people are more likely to overdose when alone in an unfamiliar environment).
Opiate & Alcohol Overdoses
How do you know when someone has overdosed?
Not all overdoses are fatal. There are different signs of overdose depending on the drug or drugs taken:
With Opiate overdoses, the signs are:
- Strained and shallow breathing.
- Stops breathing.
- Collapse.
- Non responsive.
- Unconscious.
- Heart rate slows or stops.
- Blue tinge round mouth.
With Alcohol Overdoses, the signs are:
- Collapse.
- Strained and shallow breathing.
- Stops breathing.
- Non responsive.
- Unconscious.
- Heart rate slows or stops.
- Vomiting while unconscious is one of the main risks of death.
What should you do?
If you are with someone who you are worried has overdosed on alcohol or opiates like heroin or both follow these steps:
- A - Airway. Look for obstructions. Lift chin, tilt head back.
- B - Breathing. Check their breathing.
- C - Circulation. Check their pulse.
If they are breathing and they have a pulse:
Put them in the Recovery position.
Call 999 - The police are no longer routinely called to overdoses.
If they are not breathing but have a pulse:
Give mouth to mouth (1 breath every 6 seconds).
- Lift chin and tilt back head.
- Pinch nose and take deep breath.
- Seal your mouth over theirs and blow steadily until their chest rises.
- Remove your mouth, count to 5 and repeat.
- Reassess ABC.
Call 999 - The police are no longer routinely called to overdoses.
If they are not breathing and have no pulse:
- Give mouth to mouth for 2 breaths.
- Give chest compressions (find where ribs join breastbone. Place heel of hand by the boney notch here and put other hand on top of 1st. Keep arms straight and press down.) Do this about 80 times a minute.
- Give 2 breaths after 15 compressions.
- Reassess ABC.
Call 999 - The police are no longer routinely called to overdoses.
Overdoses of stimulant drugs
With cocaine overdoses the signs are:
- A fast pulse
- High blood pressure
- Increased rate of breathing
- Numbness
- Muscle weakness
- Headaches
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Sweating
- Loss of co-ordination
- Collapse
- Blurred vision
- Seizures
- Palpitations, racing heart beats, skipped heart beats
- Chest pain could indicate a muscle spasm or heart attack
- Stroke
- Kidney failure
- Paranoia
With amphetamine overdoses the signs are:
- Tremors
- Rapid breathing
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- Panic
- Aggressiveness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Irregular heartbeat
- Seizures
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
- Fatal poisoning is usually proceeded by convulsions and vomiting
What should you do?
If you are with someone who you are worried has overdosed on amphetamine or cocaine follow these steps:
If they are having a seizure:
- Stay with them.
- Don't do anything other than move things out of their way get them a something soft to be on if possible.
Call 999 - The police are no longer routinely called to overdoses.
If they complain of crushing chest pains:
- Stay with them.
- Try and reassure them if they remain conscious.
Call 999 - The police are no longer routinely called to overdoses.
If they collapse an go unconscious:
- A - Airway. Look for obstructions. Lift chin, tilt head back.
- B - Breathing. Check their breathing.
- C - Circulation. Check their pulse.
If they are not breathing but have a pulse:
Give mouth to mouth (1 breath every 6 seconds).
- Lift chin and tilt back head.
- Pinch nose and take deep breath.
- Seal your mouth over theirs and blow steadily until their chest rises.
- Remove your mouth, count to 5 and repeat.
- Reassess ABC.
Call 999 - The police are no longer routinely called to overdoses.
If they are not breathing and have no pulse:
- Give mouth to mouth for 2 breaths.
- Give chest compressions (find where ribs join breastbone. Place heel of hand by the boney notch here and put other hand on top of 1st. Keep arms straight and press down.) Do this about 80 times a minute.
- Give 2 breaths after 15 compressions.
- Reassess ABC.
Call 999 - The police are no longer routinely called to overdoses.
< Back to Sound Advice