What is National Overdose Awareness Day?
August 31st is National Overdose Awareness Day and is one of the largest campaigns that exists in the world to bring an end to overdoses. The campaign serves as a call to communities to start taking action on preventing overdoses and helping overdose victims. National Overdose Awareness Day also gives us a chance to remember the people who have been lost due to overdosing. Because of this campaign, the health crisis of overdose can be discussed, and solutions and prevention plans can be made.
Common Causes and Risks
Many factors cause someone to get to the point of overdose, and these can be different for each person. Still, some causes can be the body receiving too many toxic substances, using multiple substances at once, or even overdrinking alcohol, and misusing prescription medications, even when done accidentally. Some of the most common overdoses can come from opioids, such as fentanyl. In 2023, almost 76% of deaths caused by overdoses were from opioids. Opioids can range from fentanyl, oxycodone, methadone, heroin, and other pain relievers that can be prescribed to you. Fentanyl alone is 50 times more potent than heroin, and even 2 milligrams, which is the size of a couple of grains of salt, can be enough to kill someone. This is a daunting thought as fentanyl is commonly mixed with other illicit drugs, such as cocaine and counterfeit painkillers.
Many risks come with substance use disorder, both mentally and physically. If someone has any pre-existing mental conditions, the use of illicit drugs can either trigger certain mental disorders or make what already exists worse. It can also cause physical issues, such as lung disease, strokes, HIV/AIDS, and cancer. Addiction can also cause the spread of diseases, especially after injecting drugs, increased chances of car accidents, and negatively affect pregnancy when used while pregnant.
One story that shows the dangers of substance use disorder and overdoses is from a mom named Ann Marie, who had a son named Christopher. Her son used to be an engaged family member who did well in school and baseball. After Christopher was in a car crash, he was prescribed opiods for some of his residual pains after the car crash. His dependence and tolerance on opioids grew quickly, and he went from taking one pill a day to up to 25 pills a day. Christopher started to go through drastic changes, and what used to matter to him was no longer important, and he began to have behavioral issues towards his family. Despite his mom trying to get him help by getting him into rehabilitation centers, he would end up getting removed from the programs due to acting poorly. His addiction continued to get worse, and after around two years of battling with addiction, Christopher died from an opioid overdose at the age of 22. His mom continues to tell his story to warn people of the dangers of addiction and overdoses.
You can listen to their story here: https://youtu.be/IZ9CGi-9J50
Symptoms of an Overdose
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- Loss of mobility
- Unresponsive
- Slow or no breathing
- Blue Lips or fingernails
- Choking sounds, gurgling, or gasping
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- Cold and clammy skin
- Tiny Pupils
- Violent, aggressive, or paranoid behavior
- Disorientation or confusion
How to Help Someone Having an Overdose
1. Call 911 immediately
2. Stimulate them by squeezing their fingertips
3. Check their pulse
4. Make sure their airway is open
5. Roll them on their side if they are vomiting
6. Ventilate with a breathing machine or mouth-to-mouth
7. Check their breathing
8. Administer Naloxone
9. Check their breathing again
10. Use Naloxone again if they are still unresponsive
Recovery
When it comes to recovery from an overdose and substance use disorder, it is highly recommended to go to therapy. Several types of therapy can help treat substance use disorder, such as CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy), to help with thinking and behaviors that can be problematic, and to find better coping skills. DBT (Dialectical behavior therapy) can help you understand your emotions and behaviors and learn how to manage them better.
TCs (Therapeutic communities) can also assist with recovery as they allow access to a residential treatment that can help with having support and learn behaviors and values that can help with substance use disorder. Therapeutic communities can also help with some of the more difficult parts of the recovery process, such as going through detox. With a therapeutic community, you can go through the detox process in a safe manner and with more support during the withdrawals. They also have the opportunity to address underlying issues that might be contributing to substance use disorder.
Recovery can be a hard process when it comes to substance use disorder, but the process is worth it in the long run. It is okay to ask for help and support if finding a way to stop taking substances on your own becomes overwhelming. Having support can make a big difference, as support is an important part of recovery. There are support groups that can help with feeling connected with other individuals who are going through similar struggles. There are also activities within communities to help with finding interests and new hobbies to focus on. All of this can help with recovery and start building a new lifestyle that can lead to a more fulfilling life.
Resources
National Overdose Awareness Day is a good opportunity to learn, teach, and reflect. It gives an important reminder that we all can play a part in preventing overdoses, supporting those in recovery, and being prepared for emergencies that involve overdoses.
The following are resources that can be used by someone who is currently struggling with substance use disorder or supporting someone in their life who has substance use disorder.
SAMHSA: SAMHSA provides a hotline to call in a crisis. They also provide educational material on substance use disorder and how to support those struggling in your life.
Salt Lake City Alcoholics Anonymous: Alcoholics Anonymous allows you to go to meetings and connect with others with similar struggles. They also hold different social events, allowing more community connections.
USARA: USARA helps those who are recovering from substance use disorder and their families. Their goal is to advocate for those who are in addiction recovery.
Life Ring: Life Ring offers several resources to those who are in recovery. They offer online and in-person meetings that are designed to support those who are in recovery. They also offer other resources such as podcasts, forums, and a community.
Fit To Recover: Fit To Recover offers fitness classes and other valuable community activities and hobbies to support those who are in recovery.
“On this International Overdose Awareness Day, we remember the lives lost and families impacted at the hands of a drug poisoning or overdose death. These losses are the result of the ruthless criminal networks that flood our country with their dangerous and deadly poison. Today, and every day, we stand in support and with deep appreciation of our partners in public health and law enforcement who serve on the front lines every day, working to prevent drug poisonings. We remain committed to our role in this fight to save lives by stopping fentanyl and other deadly drugs from impacting communities across America.” - DEA Administrator Anne Milgram
