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Overdose Awareness Month - Overdose Basics

  • elimclinic12345
  • Aug 22, 2023
  • 3 min read


WHAT IS AN OVERDOSE?

An overdose means having too much of a drug (or combination of drugs) for your body to be able to cope with. There are a number of signs and symptoms that show someone has overdosed, and these differ with the type of drug used. All drugs can cause an overdose, including prescription medication prescribed by a doctor. It is important to know your correct dosage, what drugs definitely should not be mixed, and know to seek help if you feel you are not in control of your drug use.


DEPRESSANT OVERDOSE

Opioids, benzodiazepines & barbituates (medical Depressants), and alcohol all slow the central nervous system to produce a calming effect These substances are often prescribed to relieve pain, help you sleep, or in the case of alcohol, used recreationally when socialising. depressants, which means they slow the central nervous system, including breathing and heart rate. However, when taking in excessive amounts or in combination, they can depress normal functions such as breathing and heart rate until they eventually stop, resulting in death.


Opioids are narcotics which are either derived from opium (called opiates) or share a similar chemical structure but are manufactured without opium. Fentanyl, methadone, morphine and heroin are all opiates. Examples of opioids include oxycodone and hydromorphone.


Benzodiazepines are used medically to reduce anxiety, help people sleep and to relax the body. They include diazepam or Valium, oxazepam or Serepax , alprazolam or Xanax and a number of other drugs. Taken in high doses or in conjunction with alcohol they are responsible for many overdoses. Taking these kinds of drugs in higher than prescribed quantities can slow your breathing to dangerous levels or stop it altogether. Mixing these drugs can be extremely dangerous.


People’s tolerance to a drug can drop quickly and for a variety of reasons, such as having not used for a while (eg: having been in custody or having done detoxification/rehabilitation) or cutting down.


Signs of depressant drug overdose (e.g. heroin, morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, methadone) include:

  • shallow breathing or not breathing at all

  • snoring or gurgling sounds (this can mean that a person’s airway is partly blocked)

  • blue lips or fingertips

  • floppy arms and legs

  • no response to stimulus

  • disorientation

  • unrousable (can’t be woken up) unconsciousness.

If you can’t get a response from someone, don’t assume they are asleep. Not all overdoses happen quickly and sometimes it can take hours for someone to die. Action taken in those hours could save a life. This is a medical emergency: call the ambulance immediately if you can’t rouse them.


ALCOHOL POISONING/OVERDOSE

Generally people do not automatically think of alcohol when they think of overdose, but alcohol is a depressant and it is all too possible to overdose on it. Acute alcohol poisoning, which is usually a result of binge drinking, is an example.


Our bodies can process about one unit of alcohol an hour. If you drink a lot quickly the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream (blood alcohol concentration, or BAC) may become dangerously high, which can stop your body from working properly. In extreme cases, alcohol poisoning could stop you breathing, stop your heart or cause you to choke on your own vomit.


Signs of alcohol intoxication to the point of overdose include:

  • disorientation

  • loss of coordination

  • vomiting

  • seizures

  • irregular or slow breathing (less than eight breaths a minute)

  • blue-tinged or pale skin

  • low body temperature (hypothermia)

  • stupor (being conscious but unresponsive)

  • unconsciousness (passing out).

STIMULANT OVERDOSE

It is possible to overdose on amphetamines such as speed and ice. Amphetamine overdose increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, seizure or drug-induced psychotic episodes.


Amphetamine overdoses look different from an opioid OD, and signs and symptoms include:

  • chest pain

  • disorientation/confusion

  • severe headache

  • seizures

  • high temperature (overheating, but not sweating)

  • difficulty breathing

  • agitation and paranoia

  • hallucinations

  • unconsciousness.

 
 

I would like to testify that Elim Clinic is the best to treat its patients and recommend that patients should not hesitate to approach the clinic if there is a need. From the gate you will be met with a smiling security staff, who also assist you with offloading your luggage to the relevant place where you will be accommodated. There is a place for juveniles and a place for adults. The smile you exchange with the nurses as they try to get to know each other, they will let you meet your therapist and start to get to know each other and everyone. You will be encouraged to say anything that lets you become an addict and have nothing to bottle in. Everything is being treated confidentially. The security is very tight and there are cameras everywhere. A specialized diet is always available in the kitchen. When you are sick, the doctors and nurses are available. Prayer meetings are also arranged every morning and on Sundays. Motivational speakers are invited to share their stories. There are always activities that one does at the clinic, we have sports and a gym.

 
- Trevor 

My time at Elim Clinic was something worth remembering and definitely worth my while. I have met some of the most wonderful and amazing people here that are still good sober friends to this very day. Some of the best moments of my life were here, and there were many heartwarming moments I will remember for the rest of my life. The staff here are all friendly and very helpful; they always treated me with respect. Special thanks to all the nurses, chefs, and all staff members who treated me like family. I would highly recommend anyone who is struggling/battling with addiction or emotional problems to come to Elim Clinic as it has helped me a lot and is and will forever be like a second home, a safe place, and a safe haven for me and countless others who have been here and have been helped on their journey. Most of all, to Elim and its staff, thank you kindly for everything you have done for me. I wish you all the best; much love.

 
- Evan 

I walked into Elim hopeless and in despair. I had apprehension on the actual effectiveness of such a program that I often viewed as pseudo-science; needless to say I was erroneous in my thinking. I am walking out of here with my head held high, my confidence restored and life in control. I was hoping at best I would get back to normal, but I leave a better man.
 

- Anonymous    

I had to reach out for help, and I found this place Elim Clinic which has great progammes that helped me in recovery, most outstanding and highlighted sessions were the therapy sessions. It made me feel safe and worth it, to be more open-minded and find happiness in the process of freedom of speech. Today I walk out freely of Elim Clinic, sober-minded, physically strong and with gratitude.


- Shirley     

This center I feel has given me another head start to my life of sobriety. I have been armed with the tools, strategies of tackling the setbacks that might arise in this journey of sober life. Medically the center has done wonders in getting me back in shape. I now look like a living human being as opposed to what I looked like when I came in. Spiritually the center has fed my soul and my “I can’t” has changed to “I can”. I am not where am supposed to be, but I thank God that I am not where I used to be!!

- Anonymous 

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WhatsApp: 071 750 6465

info@elimclin.co.za

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Spartan, Kempton Park

 

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