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An overdose occurs when the body is overwhelmed by a toxic amount of a drug(s). A toxic amount is difficult to measure because each person’s individual reaction to drugs can vary significantly. It is really only when the damage is done and a person overdoses that the toxic amount is determined.

Overdose Statistics

According to research supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) overdose statistics include the following:

• Approximately 27,500 people died from unintentional drug overdoses in 2007
• In 20 states in 2007, the number of unintentional drug poisoning deaths exceeded either motor vehicle crashes or suicides, two of the leading causes of injury death
• Opioid pain medications were involved in about 36 percent of all poisoning suicides in the United States in 2997

While these statistics are from 2007, the number of prescription drugs has only increased since that time.

Overdose Characteristics Based on Types of Drugs

With depressants such as heroin, the body’s central nervous system causes breathing to slow down, a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate, which cumulatively reduces the body’s temperature. This can lead to respiratory arrest where the lack of oxygen to the brain causes loss of consciousness, coma, or death. With stimulants, such as cocaine, the central nervous system accelerates breathing, which increases the heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. These variables can contribute to a seizure, stroke, heart attack, or death.

Overdose and Brain Damage

The foremost concern about a drug overdose is that the brain does not get enough oxygen. The lack of oxygen may be due to a drug-induced blockage of the airway, or the lack of oxygen due to heart fibrillation which restricts the flow of oxygen. Whatever causes the lack of oxygen, it only takes three to five minutes without oxygen to do permanent damage to the brain.

With the lack of oxygen, the part of the brain that controls memory is impacted first. The longer the brain goes without oxygen, the ability to read or speak is affected next. Continued deprivation leads to retardation and eventually can lead to death.

Overdose Risks

The factors that increase a person’s risk for overdose include the following:

• Tolerance – a person’s height, weight, the strength of the immune system, age, and duration of drug usage all impact tolerance level
• Poly-substance abuse – combining stimulants with stimulants exacerbates the impacts of the drugs
• Quality – the content and purity of street drugs is an unknown, so every time you use a street drug you have no idea how your body will react
• Being alone – a person using drugs alone is at greater risk as no one can intervene

When people combine any of these individual risk factors, they only increase the risk of an overdose.…

Being overmedicated is when an individual is using unnecessary or excessive medications. This condition has become a major problem in the United States, especially when it comes to seniors. Common issues from overmedication are bad drug interactions, overdose, chemical dependence, addiction, a long list of physical and psychological problems, and death.

Overmedication can occur because a pharmacist is unaware of other medications a patient is using, because of human error, undiagnosed medical conditions, and even from intentional, excessive use.

Signs That You Are Overmedicated

It is extremely difficult to diagnose yourself as overmedicated because the symptoms can imitate those of many other conditions. In addition, the symptoms of being overmedicated are many because an endless number of drugs are being used, as well as multiple combinations of drug interactions. Because of this, individuals that suspect they are overmedicated should seek advice from a doctor or pharmacist. The most common signs of overmedication include the following issues:

• Fatigue, loss of energy
• Abdominal pain
• Bodily aches and pain
• Problems with motor and coordination skills
• Reoccurring falls, accidents, and other injuries
• Frequent, skin flushing and rashes
• Unexplained weight loss or gain
• Dramatic changes in mood
• Lack of personal hygiene
• Difficulty concentrating and memory impairment
• Mental cloudiness or confusion
• Delayed thought process
• Impaired rational thought, difficulty with reasoning
• Hallucinations (visual and auditory), delusions, and psychosis
• Symptoms of withdrawal appear when the drug is not be used

If you have any of these issues, overmedication may be the cause.

How You Can Prevent the Dangers of Being Overmedicated

Being overmedicated is incredibly dangerous. A bad drug interaction can turn fatal in an instant and many other possible dangers may arise, such as drug dependence and addiction. To prevent the many problems associated with being overmedicated, follow these precautions:

• Talk with your doctor and pharmacist before taking any new drug.
• If you are seeing more than one doctor, keep each informed of all medication you are taking whether they be over-the-counter, herbal supplements, prescription, or even illegal narcotics.
• Make a list of all your medications and dosage amounts to stay organized. Take this list with you when you go to the doctor’s or pharmacy.
• Ask your doctor for a comprehensive medication review to determine if you are in danger of becoming overmedicated and if any current medical condition makes you prone to overmedication or dangerous drug interaction.
• Know about your healthcare to avoid a medication error, and make certain you know how to take your medications properly. Prevent a dangerous drug interaction or major health problem by knowing how to use your medications.

If you take these steps you can help prevent overmedication.…

Alcoholics in recovery often face tempting situations and are at a high risk of relapsing even after long-term sobriety. Negative emotions and unpleasant situations can seem unbearable, and alcohol often seems like the only way to escape. However, there are many dangerous risks that can arise when relapsing on alcohol. Relapsing on alcohol can negatively affect the addict and others in the following ways:

• The addict’s tolerance level for alcohol consumption may be lower due to recovery, which can pose a serious health risk when relapsing and consuming the same amount as before recovery.
• The addict may lose his or her sense of pride in the achievements that have been made during recovery.
• Family members may lose trust and redevelop fears and sadness toward the addict’s behavior.
• Relapsing once can often be a gateway into abusing other drugs and becoming reckless to the point of criminality and imprisonment.
• Relapsing can often cause individuals to go overboard because they feel as though they have already failed. They may consume way too much to the point of alcohol poisoning, which can be fatal.

There are numerous triggers that can cause a recovering alcoholic to relapse. Identifying and being conscious of personal triggers can be critical to preventing alcohol relapse. Professional therapy can be beneficial to recovering alcoholics because it can equip them with the skills necessary to identify triggers and avoid them. Some common triggers that can cause alcohol relapse to include the following:

• Settings where alcohol is being consumed, such as bars or parties
• Fights or stress over feuds with other family members
• Arguments with a significant other
• High stress or busy work that is demanding
• Feelings of intense happiness over personal achievements that normally cause for celebration

These common triggers are often a part of normal life and can be difficult to avoid. Therapy can provide the development of healthy coping mechanisms and exercises to offer a recovering alcoholic the ability to get through these situations without alcohol. Relapse is a common occurrence among those trying to recover from alcoholism. In the event of a relapse, it can be beneficial to reenter a rehab program. It can be difficult to start recovery over again, but it is not impossible. Making changes regarding work, friends, and locations may be necessary to recover after a relapse. Intense outpatient programs can be beneficial to provide ongoing support and care. Seeking support from family members is also important after a relapse. When family members understand that relapse is common and are provided with information about addiction and how to help an addict, they can help the addict achieve long-term sobriety.…

In medical terms, a relapse occurs when a disease in remission returns. Addiction itself is a disease of the brain reward system, and extended substance abuse causes physical changes in critical brain pathways. Rehabilitation centers offer the best treatments to reduce symptoms and restore neurobiological health, but addiction is a chronic disease with a perpetual risk of relapse. The Journal of Psychoactive Drugs published a study in 1990 that said most relapse-prone addicts have the motivation and commitment, but other factors contribute to their setbacks. Often in connection with other mitigating factors, the holidays can play a role in motivating a lapse or relapse. In either case, recovering addicts should address the problem immediately.

Better Understand Relapse

When addressing a relapse it helps to understand the process behind it. Resource materials posted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime note that relapse and renewed substance use are not the same. Drinking or using again is an event, but relapse is a series of stages that lead to the event if not properly addressed. Typically the process starts with an emotional relapse in which feelings of shame, anger, anxiety, doubt, and stress return. Recovery techniques might have kept these negative emotions at bay, but the person now struggles to get them under control or simply does not try. Insomnia, concentration problems, social isolation, and increased sensitivity are common symptoms. In time the emotional relapse leads to a mental relapse in which the person starts to fantasize about substance use again. The mind starts to dwell on the excitement of past highs or the euphoric promise of future ones. Like a seed planted in the mind, the thoughts become obsessive, and the person succumbs to a complete relapse that includes drinking or using drugs again. The three-stage process can be quick or drawn out, but situations and environments like the holidays can contribute to the problem.

Relapse Risk and the Holidays

Recovering addicts need to recognize the risks commonly associated with the holidays. They epitomize a situation that can contribute to relapse in several ways including the following:

• Psychology Today says negative history can trigger bad emotions at family gatherings.
• The majority of holidays are largely associated with drinking and partying.
• Holiday-related work and social events often take place at bars or involve alcohol.
• Spending holidays alone can fuel feelings of inferiority, loneliness, and depression.
• Prescription drugs belonging to friends or family might be accessible during holidays.
• Holidays might involve increased stress at work, with children, or from family members.
• Traumatic past events might have a special association with a particular holiday.
• Winter holidays in northern locales might involve bad weather that saps energy.

Biological factors can also play a role during holidays. If it is a summer holiday, Psych Central noted in 2011 that heat waves appear to increase substance abuse rates. If it is a winter holiday, the recovering addicts might struggle with the seasonal affective disorder (SAD). According to the Mayo Clinic website, the appropriately named SAD is a type of depression triggered by reduced sunlight and falling temperatures. The seasonal changes affect melatonin and serotonin levels and circadian rhythms, especially in people who are genetically predisposed or have a family history of mental health disorders. The symptoms include excessive sleep, concentration problems, and lethargy as well as classic symptoms of depression and anxiety. The combination of mood swings and holiday stress can make it more difficult to curb relapsing thoughts and emotions that lead to renewed substance abuse.

How to Respond to Relapse

Even if the holiday or family gathering is still in progress, a relapse necessitates an immediate response. Do not let the substance use roll through the holiday with the intention of getting help when it is over. In terms of specific ways to respond, there are several including the following:

• Do not hide the relapse even if friends and loved ones will be disappointed or angry.
• Immediately remove the drugs, alcohol, or paraphernalia from your possession or home.
• Speak with your recovery sponsor and/or counselor as soon as possible.
• Consider crisis counseling if the sponsor and regular counselor cannot be reached.
• Move to a new place or setting that provides less temptation and

When a person thinks about inpatient drug treatment, he or she may expect the following:

• To focus exclusively on their recovery while free from the obligations of everyday life
• To have a safe and structured environment in which to receive treatment
• To receive medically supervised detox services designed to meet your specific needs
• To receive individual counseling that enables you to explore any underlying issues contributing to addiction
• To take advantage of nutritional meals and fitness programs designed to strengthen both mind and body
• To gain a fuller understanding of addiction, triggers and cravings
• To participate in alternative therapies and activities such as meditation, yoga, or tai chi

A person may not add mutual help to this list at first, but it is an important part of inpatient addiction recovery.

Mutual Help for Addiction Recovery

Any addiction treatment should include group counseling during which you are provided with support, camaraderie, and experience-based information and knowledge. In a group setting you can do the following:

• Learn how you are perceived by others
• Feel a sense of acceptance and belonging
• Discover that you are not alone
• Hear ideas from others that enhance your ability to stay in recovery

Knowing that a person has “walked a mile in your shoes” gives more credibility to the recovery process and the support being offered to you. Knowing that they have shared similar struggles and are finding similar new and healthy lives provides motivation to keep focused on your recovery. Knowing that they believe in your ability to succeed in recovery can help you find that success.

Benefits of Mutual Help and Inpatient Addiction Recovery

Your family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances who have not struggled with addiction do not understand what you are going through. They want to help, and they loved and support you, but they have not been where you are. Your peers in group counseling or at support group meetings have shared your frustration, fatigue, and confusion and know that these emotions and more can be overcome.

As you grow stronger in your recovery, you can be a giver of support. This has its own set of rewards. Knowing that you are helping someone achieve the same goal you are seeking empowers you and makes you feel that you are contributing to another person’s life. You can make a positive change in both your life and the life of another struggling individual.…