Opioid Overdose Symptoms, Response, and Treatment
When someone is addicted to opioid drugs one of the worst things that can happen is an overdose. An overdose occurs when someone takes too much of a drug or takes a mixture of drugs that causes the body’s systems to fail. If you are around someone who is on opioids, it is important to know the overdose symptoms, response, and treatment, so you can help them if any of these difficult situations occur.
Opioid Overdose Signs
The signs of an overdose on opioids are very similar to those of a heroin or other opiate overdose. According to the National Library of Medicine, these signs are:
- no breathing
- no heartbeat
- shallow breathing
- irregular heartbeat
- low blood pressure
- blue skin, nails, or around the lips
- coma
- delirium
- uncontrolled twitching
- drowsiness
- confusion
- weak pulse
All of these symptoms are indicative of an opioid overdose and death is imminent. If you do not seek treatment quickly the person will die from the overdose.
Shallow breathing and coma are symptoms of an opioid overdose.
Some who overdoses on opioids is likely an opioid addict and needs help. To find a treatment center that can help them, call 888-959-0638.
How you Should Respond to an Opioid Overdose
Your first instinct when someone is displaying the symptoms of an overdose is to call 911 immediately. There are a few things that the emergency operators will need to know and you should try to find out before calling 911. Try to find out:
- what they took
- how much they took
- when they took it
- anything else they might have taken
Do not spend a lot of time on this, just look around to see if the information is readily available. Then call 911. The operator will probably tell you to start CPR if the person is not breathing. They will also send an ambulance to assist you.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, you should administer Naloxone if you have it. Naloxone is a medication that reverses an overdose and sends the person into immediate withdrawal. It is available to anyone who is likely to overdose or is around someone else likely to overdose.
How Overdosing on Opioids is Treated
The hospital will start with some tests as soon as the person who overdosed arrives. Usually these tests involve:
- blood tests like a complete blood count and a chem. 20
- urine tests
- EKG to check heart function
- X-rays or CT scans to check for head trauma
These tests will determine the hospital’s course of treatment. Overdose treatment at the hospital usually consists of:
- a gastric lavage
- naloxone
- IV fluids
- medicine for the symptoms of withdrawal
The hospital will most likely recommend opioid addiction treatment since overdose is a key sign of addiction.
Finding Further Help
It is important that someone who has overdosed gets the help that they need to end their addiction, before it happens again. To find a treatment center that can help you call 888-959-0638.
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Taking too much of an opiate, or multiple opiates at once, overloads the body and causes it to shut down. Signs of an overdose are shallow breathing, nausea, and a slowed heartbeat.
Types of Treatment for Opiate Overdose -
Overdosing on opiates is very dangerous, and it is often fatal. However, if it is treated within the right amount of time its effects can be reversed or lessened. 
5 Warning Signs of Opium Overdose -
An overdose on opium is a very serious condition that can lead to a person's death. Knowing the signs of an overdose is extremely important. 
Is My Spouse at Risk of Opium Overdose? Signs to Watch for -
Chronic opium use leads to increases in tolerance levels, which puts your spouse at constant risk of overdose. 
How Overdose Risks Increase with Opiate Tolerance -
Opiate tolerance develops as a result of drug abuse. Once a person develops a tolerance to their prescribed opiate, they are at risk for overdose. 
What are the Effects of Opiate Overdose? -
Taking too much of an opiate, or multiple opiates at once, overloads the body and causes it to shut down. Signs of an overdose are shallow breathing, nausea, and a slowed heartbeat.