Diagnosing Narcotic Overdoses

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The Commonality of Narcotic Overdoses

Narcotics are powerful sedative drugs that cause people to feel euphoria while relaxing their entire body. The majority of narcotics are derived from opium, which is the sticky substance that comes from the poppy plant. Through opium, drugs such as morphine, codeine and heroin were created. Additionally, there are semi-synthetic and synthetic drugs that are meant to mimic the effects of morphine, such as hydrocodone or fentanyl.

Beginning in the 1990s, America saw the first wave in what would be described as an opioid epidemic. This was largely due to an increase in the number of opioid prescriptions being written each year. OxyContin, which was first developed in 1995 and touted as having a very low addiction potential, played a tremendous role in the increase in the number of people with opioid addiction and overdose.

By around 2010, due to the increase in the number of people with opioid use disorder and opioid related deaths, the government put tighter restrictions on prescription opioids. While this seemed like a solution, many people who had become dependent or addicted to prescription opioids turned to heroin to meet their needs. Because of this, the second wave of the opioid epidemic saw an increased number of heroin related overdose deaths.

The third wave in the opioid epidemic began around 2013. The main driver of overdose deaths during this period was synthetic opioids, such as illicitly produced fentanyl. What made this especially dangerous was that fentanyl is more than 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. By 2017, the U.S. government officially declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency.

Because of the heightened awareness and increased restrictions on opioid prescriptions, 2023 saw opioid related overdoses decline for the first time since 2018. For example, according to data collected by the Centers for Disease Control, the number of people who lost their lives due to an opioid related overdose went from 83,140 in 2023 to 54,743 in 2024. While this data is promising, much work is still needed to combat this deadly crisis.

Diagnosis of Narcotic Overdoses

Slow breathing and difficulty moving are signs of a narcotic overdose.

When a person takes more of a narcotic than their body can handle, it can lead to an overdose. Narcotics slow down the central nervous system, including parts of the brain that regulate breathing and heart rate. In an overdose, breathing may become very slow or stop altogether, causing a person to lose consciousness. Without enough oxygen, vital organs begin to fail. and the overdose can quickly become life-threatening if emergency treatment is not provided.

Symptoms that a person overdosing on a narcotic typically exhibit include:

Slow Heart Rate: A person who has taken too much of a narcotic will have an extremely slow heart rate.

Slow Breathing: A person who overdosed on a narcotic may have trouble breathing as well as an extremely slow rate of breathing.

Loss of Consciousness: A person overdosing on a narcotic may continually come in and out of consciousness, causing their eyes to roll back in their head and them continually nodding off.

What Happens During Opioid Overdose?

Know the signs of an opioid overdose and how it’s treated so you can get yourself or a loved one the necessary professional help.

Lack of Concentration: If a person is still conscious but has taken too much of a narcotic, they will not be able to concentrate and will have a very difficult time moving.

If a person comes across another person who they believe is overdosing on a narcotic, they should immediately call 911 and try to keep the person awake until the paramedics get there. If available, give Narcan and provide emergency breathing if necessary.

If you or someone you love is at risk of narcotic overdose, call  800-934-1582(Sponsored) now to find a treatment program that can help.

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