Every day in the U.S., an average of 128 people die from overdosing on opioids.
Whether it’s prescription pain pills, heroin, or something else, addicts continue upping their dose to get the effect that they are chasing. Eventually, it’s almost inevitable that this will lead to an overdose.
Of course, not all overdoses are accidental, either.
Understanding overdose prevention can be the difference between saving a loved one–or yourself–or watching life come to an end.
Keep reading to learn what you need to know about preventing your own overdose, or that of someone close to you.
What You Can Do to Prevent a Drug Overdose
Overdose prevention is a tricky subject. After all, the best way to prevent an overdose is to not use drugs in the first place.
But if you or someone you know is struggling with drug use, there are a few things you can do to help prevent an overdose.
Preventing an Overdose of Pain Pills
If the addict’s drug of choice is pain pills and they have a prescription, it’s essential that they follow the dosing guidelines provided by their doctor.
Sometimes, even with a prescription from a doctor, a dose may not have the desired effect. In this case, the user may increase the dosage on their own in an attempt to alleviate the pain. This is a big mistake.
Instead, they should always contact their doctor to ask about getting their dose increased or switching to a different pain medication.
Preventing an Overdose on Other Drugs
If you choose to use illegal drugs or those that you don’t have a prescription for, it’s important to understand that you’re taking your life into your own hands.
Even small doses can prove fatal if you don’t know what they are laced with. And, once you are under the influence, your judgment won’t be as sharp, and you may continue taking the drug and risk an overdose without realizing it.
If you choose to continue to use the drug, there are a few things you can do to lower your chance of an overdose.
Make sure you understand what a normal dose is, and never allow yourself to take more. Don’t mix drugs, or mix alcohol with drugs.
If you stop taking the drug for even just a day or two, lower your dose the next time. Your tolerance level may change even over a short period of time.
If someone you love is doing drugs, learn the signs of an overdose. When you know what happens before, during, and after an overdose, you’ll be better equipped to do anything you can to help.
Overdose Prevention and Breaking the Cycle of Addiction
If you’ve noticed the signs of drug addiction in a friend or loved one, or are struggling yourself, learning a little about overdose prevention could be the difference between life and death.
If you’re ready to start living a healthier, drug-free life, check out the rest of our blog for more content like this.