Drug overdoses: how to identify them and what to do about them

Recently, xylazine—a non-opiate sedative also known as “tranq”—has infiltrated the fentanyl supply, resulting in what the DEA has deemed the deadliest threat yet. The interviews shed light on the fast-acting and sometimes gruesome nature of fentanyl overdoses — as well as how widespread the drug has become — according to the report, which the CDC published today (April 13). Always keep fentanyl in a safe place away from children, teens, visitors, pets and from anyone for whom it has not been prescribed. Tell your healthcare provider if you live in a home where there are small children or someone who has abused street or prescription drugs. Illicit (illegal) fentanyl is often smuggled into the US in powder form and may be pressed into fake pills or mixed with other drugs like cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine (“meth”).

Medical treatments

HeroinPeople who inject heroin into their veins can expect damage similar to what’s caused by meth — rotten, discolored, broken, and missing teeth, as well as gum disease. This is not all the information you need to know about fentanyl and does not take the place of your healthcare provider’s advice. Discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider. Prescription fentanyl products can be dangerous or lethal if handled inappropriately or accidentally consumed by someone it was not prescribed for, including adults and children. This depends on the nature of the poison, level of exposure, and other symptoms. Common medications that can lead to this are antipsychotics, like haloperidol and risperidone.

Substance Use Recovery Programs in Arizona

The genuine kindness and understanding that is to be received from the staff here is a rare find. Rehabilitation is not a one-size-fits-all formula, I can assure you this program is one of the special places where stepping through the doors you can see the effort and quality of service provided by their staff is unique and that they’re truly invested in each individual and their needs. Beautiful facility and excellent staff.”Learn more about Pinnacle Peak Recovery Detox Center on their website.

However, ongoing care through therapy and support programs is crucial to address the root causes and prevent future emergencies. Pharmacies sell it over the counter, and pricing may vary based on insurance plans. Additionally, programs like the Naloxone Leave Behind Program, run by the Arizona Department of Health, provide free naloxone to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and law enforcement. This initiative ensures first responders are equipped to save lives and direct individuals struggling with opioid use disorder toward recovery resources. Suppresses the central nervous system and breathing, leading to decreased oxygen levels and fluid buildup in the lungs. A person who routinely has seizures may have a care plan in place and may not need hospital care every time they have a seizure.

Step-by-Step Guide to Handle the Emergency

It comes as an injection or is sprayed into the nose to rapidly block the effects of the opioid on the body. The presence of unconsciousness or a coma, pupil constriction, and respiratory depression (slowed or absent breathing) occurring together strongly suggests an overdose with an opioid like fentanyl. While there are often no warning signs for congestive heart drug overdose foaming at mouth failure or stroke, seeking immediate medical attention is imperative. Foaming at the mouth is a symptom of serious conditions that are often life-threatening. Opioids are nervous system depressants, meaning they slow down the body’s responses and messaging system. Because of this, during an overdose, a person’s heart rate and breathing can slow, sometimes to dangerous levels.

Why Does Opioids Cause Foaming?

Poisoning can result from exposure to industrial chemicals as well. Poisoning can also result from various medications as well (more on that below). Recovering from any substance use can seem daunting at first, but this isn’t our first rodeo at Pinnacle Peak Recovery. We offer a full compendium of care, from detox to outpatient, and our compassionate and highly qualified staff are here to help you.

If available, administer Narcan®(naloxone) within two to three minutes. When administered, Narcan works by blocking the effects of opiates on the brain and temporarily restores breathing. To obtain Narcan in Pennsylvania, you can either get it from a doctor’s prescription, or by downloading the standing order and taking it to a participating pharmacy.

• This approach has produced excellent results over the years, and a number of former patients have taken to review platforms to talk about their experiences.“I had never been to rehab before, I was scared and was referred here to Pinnacle Peak Recovery,” says a patient.
• The effects of obesity often compromise an individual’s baseline respiratorystatus, making the obese individual more vulnerable to the respiratorydepressant effects of opioid toxicity.
• Opioid overdose, such as from fentanyl, can cause foaming at the mouth.
• Thank you, PPR, for all you’ve done for me.”Another patient comments, “I cannot recommend this program enough.
• We are fully committed to the lifelong success of everyone who steps into our facility.

Overdose & Other Medical Emergencies

• The observation of such marked pulmonaryedema from opioid overdose was first reported by William Osler in 1880 (127), and since then, it hasbeen widely reported in the literature (125, 128, -132).
• One should also becareful to review the medical records to identify anytherapeutically-administered drugs that may show up on the toxicologyreport.
• Toxicology specimens collectedshould at a minimum include blood (femoral vein blood preferred), urine, andvitreous fluid as they are available, and additional specimens as needed (100).
• You cannot overdose on illicit fentanyl powder just by touching it, as it must get into your blood to get to your brain, according to the Tennessee Dept. of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
• People will take their normal dosage, not realizing the potency will end up being much greater, and accidentally consume too much for their body to process.
• Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a medication that helps reverse opioid overdose.
• The person who was overdosing may be very confused, disoriented or even frustrated.

In this same period, illicitly manufactured fentanyl—a synthetic opioid approved for pain relief—was being slipped into heroin, counterfeit pills, cocaine, and other drugs. Many of the people taking these drugs did not realize that they were taking fentanyl at all, leading to a third wave of overdoses. In 2017, synthetic opioids were responsible for more than 28,000 deaths, while opioid-pill and heroin overdose deaths had leveled off at about 15,000. The demographics of the crisis continued to shift too, and in 2020, the fastest increases in death rates was experienced by Black and Indigenous Americans, surpassing the death rate of white Americans, Pamplin told me.

If a person experiences foaming at the mouth at night, it is important to seek immediate medical help for an accurate diagnosis. Some people with seizure disorders and types of epilepsy require lifelong management medications called anti-seizure or anticonvulsive drugs. Anyone who is foaming at the mouth or sees someone who is should seek emergency medical attention immediately. One of the symptoms of rabies is paralysis of the throat muscles, which makes it difficult to swallow. People experiencing tonic-clonic seizures have abnormal electrical firing throughout the brain simultaneously. It can cause a loss of muscle control, which can make it difficult to swallow or open the mouth.

But if you’re unsure, it’s better to err on the side of caution and call for help. In the United States, most pet dogs are vaccinated against rabies. But if you’ve been bitten by a dog and don’t know the dog’s vaccination history, it’s important to get emergency care to prevent rabies.