Opioids are powerful drugs, often used for some of the most intense pain situations a person experiences. Yet, these drugs carry a high risk of addiction and, in some situations, overdose.
If your loved one has overdosed on opioids in the past, or you worry they will in the future, we can help you. At English Mountain Recovery, our comprehensive detox and residential treatment programs in Tennessee provide you with answers and intense support when you need it the most.
Opioid Overdose Changes Futures
Opioid overdose took the lives of 81,806 people in 2022 in the United States. That is hundreds of thousands of family members struggling with the reality of losing a loved one to a preventable disease.
Prescription and illicit opioids are devastating drugs because of how easily a person can develop an addiction to them. Understanding what causes them and how to prevent them could help you save your own life or that of another person.
Common Opioid Overdose Causes
Opioid overdose occurs when too much of the substance is present in the body at one time, overwhelming your system. When an overdose occurs, a person’s breathing and heart rate slow to dangerous levels. This can lead to a coma or sudden death if your heart stops. This often happens when:
- A person uses illicit opioid drugs, including heroin or fentanyl, drugs that take very little of the substance to cause an overdose
- Overdoses can occur when someone takes an extra dose of prescription medication too close to the previous dose
- Overdoses can happen when someone uses a drug mixed with opioids, which often occurs when using non-prescription opioids
- Drugs are mixed with alcohol or over-the-counter medications, especially mixing anxiety medications such as valium or Xanax with opioids
- Using medication prescribed to someone else, especially children, or using a drug prescribed for an adult
An overdose can lead to sudden death. In many cases, a person can get help if treatment arrives soon enough. It is very important to know that while it may be possible to reverse some opioid overdoses, this is not possible in all situations.
All instances in which you believe a person is overdosing require calling 911 for immediate help.
How to Prevent an Opioid Overdose
There are several things you can do at home to minimize the risk of an accidental overdose of opioids. To do so, put these rules in place:
- Never mix medications prescribed to you with sleeping pills, alcohol, or any other illicit substance
- Always take opioids if prescribed to you by your doctor and only follow the medication schedule they send to you
- Never take another person’s medication
- Never use drugs given to you or purchased illicitly, as they could be laced with opioids, including fentanyl
- Dispose of unused prescription medications properly, often by turning them in to the local police station
If you are using opioids consistently and struggling with stopping, you may need more help than preventing an overdose from occurring.
When to Get Help for an Opioid Addiction
Opioid addictions are a form of substance use disorder (SUD) that can worsen over time without professional treatment. If you or someone you know is using opioids and experiencing any of the following signs, they may need professional SUD treatment.
- Being unable to stop using the drug, even if they want to and have tried to stop in the past
- Using increasingly larger amounts of the drug to achieve the same results due to an increasing tolerance
- Struggling to focus on anything but the next dose of opioids, including avoiding or missing responsibilities
- Missing periods of time due to blackouts
- Having intense cravings for opioids or another dose of medication
SUD treatment involves stepping away from home to focus on your physical and mental health. Making this decision could change your life.
How to Get Help for Opioid Addiction
Opioid addiction ranges in severity. If you are at risk for an overdose or have overdosed in the past, entering an opioid detox program is the ideal first step. You can count on our team at English Mountain Recovery to speak to our admissions counselor about our program.
Most people benefit from residential treatment for opioid addiction, a period of 30 to 90 days in which you live in a treatment center to receive ongoing support. Opioid addiction treatment includes therapy, medications, and comprehensive support.
Let Our Team Guide You Towards Healing
English Mountain Recovery offers compassionate care to those struggling with opioid addiction or who have overdosed in the past. If you are battling an SUD, know that we are your allies. Contact us now for the one-on-one support you need.
