The number of individuals who die from substance overdose is alarmingly high. Though there is more access to treatment than ever, the numbers continue to rise. Why are the numbers still so high despite increased access to treatment and mental health care? What can we do to prevent the number of overdoses from continuing to rise? These are all valid questions. Particularly if you or a loved are sober or still struggling with drug abuse, considering these questions is crucial.
Overdose does not happen to everyone, but it does happen. If you have concerns about your or a loved one's risk of overdose, talk to an addiction recovery specialist immediately. You can prevent an overdose today.
An overdose is when a person takes “more than the normal or recommended amount” of an addictive substance. Overdoses can be unintentional or deliberate, and both instances are dangerous. An overdose causes significant damage to the body and brain. That may include liver damage and cardiovascular or neurological complications. In severe cases, it can also lead to death.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), over 106,000 individuals died in the United States from a drug-involved overdose in 2021. That includes illicit drugs and prescription medications. This was an increase from 2019, and many may wonder what exactly caused such an increase in those two years. While no singular factor is to blame, most would agree that the COVID-19 pandemic had a large hand in this drastic increase.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a troubling time for all of us. Whether we were anxious over the virus, mourning the loss of loved ones, or struggling with isolation, everyone was just trying to get by through the past two years. Unfortunately, these two years were exceptionally trying for those with substance use disorder (SUD) or other mental health conditions. There was little to no access to mental health care or treatment for a time. This caused many to self-medicate, relapse, or turn elsewhere to cope with their complex feelings during the pandemic.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that overdose deaths were at an all-time high prior to the pandemic. They also indicated that overdose deaths were accelerating throughout the pandemic. Addiction is an isolating disease. The risk of relapse increases without access to treatment, therapy, support group meetings, or the ability to surround yourself with friends and family. These are fundamental factors in explaining why overdose death rates skyrocketed during the pandemic.
Additionally, you may have experienced triggers including stress, loneliness, boredom, or unhealthy family dynamics. Some individuals may have been able to manage their relapse triggers during COVID-19. Unfortunately, not everyone was able to.
Aside from the unprecedented events of the pandemic, can overdose be prevented? The answer is, unfortunately, not as simple as you might hope.
Preventing overdoses is dependent on you and your recovery journey. You must first seek treatment to get sober. However, upon leaving rehab, you must also have a strong relapse prevention plan to stay sober. In many situations, individuals overdose because their body has become accustomed to not using drugs or alcohol. In other words, their tolerance has decreased. A single return to drug use at the same dose as before can be too intense for the body. Having a support system and relapse prevention plan can prevent relapse and overdose altogether.
There are several other ways for you to prevent relapse in recovery. Consider these methods to reduce risks of relapse and overdose today.
When you or a loved one takes too much of a substance, the first crucial thing is recognizing the signs. Drug overdoses may look different from one person to the next. However, ten fairly typical signs to look out for include:
A number of other symptoms are possible, but these ones are the most common. Again, recognizing the signs is the first thing you must do if you or someone else is overdosing.
Upon recognizing overdose symptoms, call 911. Paramedics will administer naloxone upon arrival. However, you should administer it if you have it on hand. For those who do not know, naloxone is a medication that can rapidly reverse the effects of overdosing on opioids. Using it can make all the difference in saving your life or the life of someone else.
Additionally, any information you can offer the paramedics can help save a life. Offer as much information as possible, especially if illegal or illicit substances are involved. Failure to do so can have detrimental consequences. Overdose rates may be rising across the country, but you can prevent them from occurring in your life or the life of a loved one.
Overdose rates have risen consistently across the United States over the past two years. While that is partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that overdose rates reached an all-time high before the pandemic, with over 81,000 drug overdose deaths occurring in the 12 months ending in May 2020. Preventing overdose is possible, but individuals must seek treatment, have a support system, attend support group meetings, and have a relapse prevention plan. If an overdose does occur, recognizing the symptoms and calling for help is the best way to save your life or the life of another. Prevent overdose from occurring in your life by calling NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400.
