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EmailDeaths resulting from drugs of abuse have become an epidemic in the United States today. More than fifty Americans per day die from prescription drug overdoses and more than 6 million suffer from prescription drug abuse disorders.
Drugs of abuse are not just illegal drugs, but can also be misused prescription medications, over the counter medications or a combination of all of these. Taking drugs of abuse alone or in combination can result in serious symptoms or even death.
Cocaine
Other NamesHow It's UsedHow It Affects the BodySigns of UsePossible Overdose SymptomsPossible Overdose Treatment
- Snow
- Blow
- Flake
- Crack (solid rock heated to create smoke-able vapors)
- Snorted
- Dissolved into a liquid for injection
- Heated to create smoke-able vapors
- Works quickly after injection or smoking
- Increased energy
- Hyperactivity
- Increased body temperature
- High blood pressure
- Decreased appetite
- Dilated pupils
- White powder around the nose
- Runny nose/Nosebleeds
- Lack of appetite
- Unusual excitement/Aggressiveness/Paranoia
- Long periods of sleep
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- High body temperature
- Agitation
- High blood pressure
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Dilated Pupils
The hospital will provide the following:
- Medication to stop seizures
- Restore blood flow to the heart
- Restore oxygen-rich blood supply to the brain
Heroin
Other NamesHow It's UsedHow It Affects the BodySigns of UsePossible Overdose SymptomsPossible Overdose Treatment
- Dope
- H
- Tar
- Skag
- Brown Sugar
- Typically injected
- Smoked
- Snorted
- Works quickly to first produce a great rush of euphoria then a state of relaxation
- Cold
- Clammy skin
- Slow heartbeat
- Constricted pupils
- Muscle weakness
- Sluggishness
- Coma
- Shallow breathing
- Slow breathing
- Noisy/Rattling breathing
- Seizures
- Small/Pinpoint Pupils
- Fatigue
- Nodding off
- Dizziness
- Not caring about anything
- Nausea and vomiting
- If the person can’t be awakened after taking heroin, send the person to the hospital ASAP.
- DON’T let the person sleep it off.
- If given soon enough, there is a drug that can potentially reverse the overdose quickly.
- The individual may need to be on a ventilator to help with breathing.
Molly
Other NamesHow It's UsedHow It Affects the BodySigns of UsePossible Overdose SymptomsPossible Overdose Treatment
- Ecstasy
- MDMA
- Adam
- X
- Skittles
- Love Drug
- Capsule or tablet
- Swallowed in liquid form
- Snorted as powder
- A mind altering hallucinogen
- Creates feelings of increased energy, pleasure, emotional warmth, distorted sensory, and time perception
- Users may chew on gum or suck on an object to relive tension in the jaw muscles
- They may remove clothing and drink more water due to an increased body temperature
- Fever
- Hallucinations
- Agitation
- High blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeat
- Stroke
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Jaw clenching
- Muscle Spasms
- Seizures
- Sweating
- Dilated pupils
- In the hospital, individuals of an overdose may need to be on medications to help control their blood pressure, fast heart rate, agitation and convulsions.
- Individuals may also need to be on a ventilator to help with breathing.
- IV fluids may also be needed
Synthetic Marijuana and/or Synthetic Cannabinoids
Other NamesHow It's UsedHow It Affects the BodySigns of UsePossible Overdose SymptomsPossible Overdose Treatment
- Spice
- K-2
- King Krypto
- Scooby Snax
- Potpourri
- Smoke
- Drink as a brewed tea
- Purchased as a liquid and vaporized in an e-cigarette
- A mind altering
- Elevated mood
- Relaxation
- Altered perception
- Symptoms of psychosis (extreme anxiety, paranoia, confusion, hallucinations)
- Rapid heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Nausea/vomiting
- Violent behavior
- Suicidal thoughts
- Muscle spasms
- Seuizures
- Tremors
- Intense hallucinations
- In the hospital, individuals of an overdose may receive medications to help control symptoms of an overdose
Methamphetamine
Other NamesHow It's UsedHow It Affects the BodySigns of UsePossible Overdose SymptomsPossible Overdose Treatment
- Meth
- Crystal
- Crank
- Chalk
- Ice
- Speed
- Swallow
- Smoke
- Snort
- Inject
- Large release of dopamine leads to users feeling euphoria or “flash”
- Increased heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Increased breathing rate
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Insomnia
- Severe dental problems
- Skin sores from scratching
- Extreme weight loss
- Hyperthermia
- Convulsions
- Damage to brain cells
- Chronic use leads to inflammation of the heart lining, stroke, heart attack, and possibly death
- In the hospital, individuals of an overdose displaying aggressive or violent behavior may be restrained or sedated.
- Medications may be given to help control symptoms of an overdose.
Bath Salts
Other NamesHow It's UsedHow It Affects the BodySigns of UsePossible Overdose SymptomsPossible Overdose Treatment
- Flakka
- Cloud Nine
- Ivory Wave
- Vanilla Sky
- Pixie Dust
- Purple Rain
- Swallow
- Snort
- Smoke
- Inject
- Excited delirium
- Increased sociability
- Increased sex drive
- Increased alertness
- Sweating
- Vivid hallucinations
- Panic attacks
- Combativeness
- Nosebleeds
- Dehydration
- Seizures
- Increased heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Breakdown of skeletal muscles
- Kidney failure
- In the hospital, individuals of an overdose may be restrained or sedated.
- Medications may be given to help control symptoms of an overdose.
If you or someone you know has overdosed on a drug of abuse, we are here to help 24/7. All calls to the poison center are private and confidential and we can connect you with emergency services if needed.
