Nearly 100,000 Americans died from a drug overdose in 2020, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, that tragic loss only tells part of the story. What happens to those who survive? Toxic brain injury is the most severe chronic health problem seen in individuals who have repeatedly experienced overdosing. Call Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida at 866.294.5306 if you are concerned about recovering from an overdose or if you’re ready to seek treatment.
What to Expect from Drug Overdose Recovery
How long overdose recovery takes and what, if any, long-term health problems a person might experience depends largely on a variety of factors. However, there are no guarantees. Anyone can have a fatal or catastrophic reaction to overdosing regardless of their history or the substance. That is why it is critical to seek help for substance use disorders before the worst happens.
History of Addiction
If an individual has survived overdosing in the recent past, uses drugs or alcohol heavily, or mixes multiple substances, full recovery can take longer. Furthermore, the chances for chronic health issues increase.
Type of Drug
People need to take all substance use disorders seriously. A fatal dose of marijuana is rare, but it’s possible. Overdosing on the types of drugs that can cause coma, heart attack, stroke, and seizure will take longer to recover because those medical issues are severe and require extensive recovery time. Brain damage associated with coma, stroke, and seizures may never fully heal.
Dosage
While every incident can be fatal or cause a lifetime of health problems, there are degrees of overdosing. A person who takes twice their recommended therapeutic dose of morphine and takes ten times the recommended amount are both ingesting a toxic dose. But someone who took ten times more will likely have a more extended recovery period and face more severe health issues.
Administration Method
All methods of overdosing are potentially fatal, but drugs someone uses intravenously act more quickly in the body than those taken by other methods. The faster the reaction, the less time there is to seek medical help, and the more severe the results.
What Happens During a Drug Overdose?
Exactly what happens to the body after ingesting a larger dose of drugs or alcohol than it can metabolize depends heavily on the substance itself. Vomiting, passing out, and dangerous changes in heart rate are among the most common symptoms. However, symptoms and side effects may vary depending on the drug.
Stimulants
Stimulants include drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine. A person who has taken too many stimulants may experience:
- Seizure
- Cardiac arrest or stroke due to increased blood pressure and heart rate
- Loss of muscle control
- Erratic behavior
Stimulants can severely affect a person’s long-term health, so it’s vital to seek treatment as soon as possible.
Sedatives
Alcohol and prescription drugs like Xanax, Valium, and Benzodiazepines are the most common substances in the sedative drug class. Symptoms may include:
- Vomiting
- Oxygen deprivation leading to brain damage
- Intense dizziness
- Difficulty breathing
Unfortunately, sedatives are some of the most common substances that people can become addicted to.
Opiates
Morphine, heroin, and synthetic variants like fentanyl are among the most dangerous substances to overdose on. Symptoms include:
- Respiratory depression can cause a person to stop breathing
- Unconsciousness
- Excessive vomiting
- Extreme confusion or delirium
Overdosing can be accidental or intentional. Either way, it has the potential to be fatal or cause serious life-long health problems.
Finding Help for Drug Overdose Recovery at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida
If you or someone you love struggles with a substance use disorder, worries about drug overdose recovery are always on your mind. The mental health professionals at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida can help during all stages of recovery. Call Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida today at 866.294.5306 for information about programs near you.
