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But, everyone responds to a drug overdose differently. Signs and Symptoms of a Drug OverdoseĪ drug overdose may have a wide range of signs and symptoms. Intentional misuse involves taking the medication for its desired effect – to get high or in some cases, to harm oneself. In some cases, drug overdose may happen during medical or surgical procedures. Also, the patient may receive the wrong drug, consumed a drug in error, or took too much of a drug given or prescribed. Unintentional or accidental drug overdose happens when a person consumes a drug by accident. Adults may accidentally swallow or take medicines with incorrect dosages. Accidental overdoses involve children taking medications when they’re left unattended. Causes of a Drug Overdoseĭrug overdose stems from accidental overuse or intentional misuse. The most deaths involved fentanyl and fentanyl analogs (synthetic opioids) with more than 20,000 casualties. Of these, 66 percent involved a prescription or illicit opioid. A drug overdose killed a total of 63,632 people in 2016. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the overdose epidemic in the United States is growing. What is an Opioid Overdose? Play Drug Ooverdose by the Numbers
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