Accidental Overdose
What Is it?
An overdose is what happens to someone’s body when they take too much of a substance or too many substances. They can be accidental when the person takes too much by mistake. They can also be intentional.
Signs of Overdose
Signs of Overdose may include:
- Change in body temperature (feeling warmer or colder)
- Not moving and unresponsive (you cannot wake them up)
- Change in skin color (flushed, blue-ish tone, or paleness)
- Change in breathing
- Change in pulse (fast, slow, or irregular)
- Choking, gurgling, or snoring sounds
- Clammy skin
- Small pupils
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Jerking limbs
- Severe headaches
- Extreme sweating
- Chest pain
- Cardiac arrest
- Confusion
What to Do?
What to do if you suspect someone is overdosing:
Opioids
- Stay with the person and remain calm
- Call 911
- Make sure the person’s airways are clear
- Put the person on their side with a hand under their head
- Use naloxone (this only works on an opioid overdose)
- Remember SAVE ME
- S – Stimulate – Wake them up. If you can’t, call 911
- A – Airway – Make sure their airway is clear
- V – Ventilate – Help them breathe (plug nose, tilt head back, and give them one breath every 5 seconds)
- E – Evaluate – How are they doing? Have they gotten any better?
- M – Muscular Injection – Inject naloxone (if you have a kit)
- E – Evaluate and Support – How is the person doing? If they aren’t awake after the 5 minutes of naloxone, give another dose. Let them know they cannot use drugs for at least 2 years.
Stimulants
If distressed mentally:
- Stay with the person and keep calm
- Give them water or something with electrolytes
- Give them a cool cloth for the back of their neck, under their underarms, and head
- Get them in fresh air
- If they are paranoid/aggressive, give them space
- Encourage them not to take other substances
If distressed physically:
- Call 911- tell the operator as much information as you are able
- Stay with the person
- Keep them awake
Preventing Overdose
- Be aware of tolerance
- Do not use alone
- Do not mix substances
- Pace yourself
- Talk to a healthcare professional
- Use in a safe place
- Know CPR
Further Resources
All articles referenced above are collated here for your convenience and further reading:
Accidental overdose of medicine | healthdirect
Accidental Overdose of Medicine: Care Instructions (alberta.ca)
35317_BCCDC_Final_CMYK+1 Spot (towardtheheart.com)
What to Do for a Suspected Overdose (bcehs.ca)
Signs of an Overdose – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
Drug Overdose Symptoms | What Happens When You Overdose (americanaddictioncenters.org)
If you would like to speak to someone about mental health issues, the Alberta Health Services Mental Health Help Line is available 24/7, offering information and referrals on any aspect of mental health.
