By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    healthcare cybersecurity
    4 Helpful Tips on How to Protect Your Medical Practice Against Cyber Attacks
    October 24, 2021
    Health Check Diagnosis Medical Condition Analysis Concept
    6 Health Woes With Online Remedies
    January 19, 2022
    Eight Things Men Should Know About the Male Menopause
    Eight Things Men Should Know About the Male Menopause
    April 24, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    healthy nursing school habits
    Healthy Habits for Nursing Student Nursing School Students
    May 24, 2024
    High Deductables
    High-Deductible Insurance and Rising Bad Debt
    July 24, 2015
    How People Are Taking Advantage of Health Deals in the Recent Recession
    February 5, 2021
    Latest News
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Opiate Overdose Symptoms Families of Addicts Must Know
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Health care > Opiate Overdose Symptoms Families of Addicts Must Know
Health carePublic HealthWellness

Opiate Overdose Symptoms Families of Addicts Must Know

Ryan Kh
Last updated: February 5, 2021 8:55 am
Ryan Kh
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

Opiate addiction is a growing problem throughout the United States. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that over 2.1 million Americans suffer from opiate addictions. An estimated 26.4 million to 36 million people around the world abuse opiates. The problems caused by opiate addiction can be either be very gradual or very quick. If patients abuse opiates for years, they can suffer extreme liver damage, impairment of cognitive functioning and risk of certain cancers. If they overdose, they can be permanently disabled or die within hours.

Contents
Pay Attention to the Symptoms of Opiate OverdoseConfusion or DeliriumMood SwingsNausea and VomitingSeizuresGet Treatment Immediately

Pay Attention to the Symptoms of Opiate Overdose

Opiate overdose can cause long-term damage or even death. According to American Addiction Centers, over 14,000 people died from abusing opiates in 2014 and the numbers are rising rapidly ever year. Patients suffering from opiate overdoses need medical attention immediately. ?Opioid painkiller addiction is a rapidly growing problem in the US. In fact, addiction to these substances has been declared an epidemic, with many lawmakers seeking ways to end addiction to these powerful painkillers, as well as limit access. Since 2000, overdose deaths from prescription opioid painkillers have risen dramatically, with more than 14,000 deaths in 2014 attributed to prescription painkiller overdose.? Family members of prescription drug addicts need to understand the opiate overdose symptoms, so they can take preventive action. Here are some common symptoms.

Confusion or Delirium

When patients overdose on opiates, they may appear intoxicated or exhibit the symptoms of someone under the influence of other drugs. This can lead to a number of symptoms, including:

  • Delirium
  • Disorientation
  • Hallucinations

These symptoms may even be present in patients that are taking opiates under the guidance of a doctor. According to a study by Romayne Gallagher, the Head of the Division of Residential Care for Providence Health and Clinical Professor in the Division of Palliative Care at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, patients may experience these symptoms within two weeks after reaching a therapeutic opiate dose.

More Read

Cause Marketing: Autism Awareness Month
Is the Healthcare Industry Prepared for Human Immortality?
How to Achieve Optimal Health & Fitness When Working Out at Home
The Power of Meeting Another Patient
Person-Centered HealthCare: Using Medical Education to Drive Adoption of High-Value Care

Mood Swings

Patients that abuse opiates often suffer from extreme fluctuations in their moods. Without a knowledge of their addiction, a psychiatrist could mistake these symptoms for bipolar disorder or another mood disorder. If patients suffer from both mood disorders and opiate abuse, it can be difficult to identify their behavior as an opiate overdose. Family members and healthcare providers must look for other red flags, because the consequences of an opiate overdose are severe.

Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are two of the most common symptoms of opiate abuse. Vomiting is often a warning sign that the body is trying to reject excess opiates. If the body fails to get rid of them, the patient is at risk of opiate poisoning.

Seizures

Seizures are another symptom of opiate addiction. They are also among the most serious. If patients begin to suffer from seizures, they may be at risk of the following:

  • Brain damage
  • Stroke
  • Asphyxiation
  • Potential death

Seizures should be treated as a medical emergency, especially if the patient had abused opiates recently. You need to determine how many opiates they took and see if they exceeded the recommended dose. Keep in mind that the risk of overdosing can be higher if people have taken a break from opiate use, because they may use the same doses after their tolerance levels have fallen.

Get Treatment Immediately

The Recovery Village

has a list of clinics that patients can go to seek treatment in their area. The lists are organized geographically, which makes it easier for anyone to find the nearest clinic. However, these clinics are generally setup for long-term recovery from addiction. If you think someone has abused opiates, you should look into getting them emergency medical help. If a friend or family member is suffering from opiate abuse, you need to make sure they get immediate assistance. They can face serious health problems without treatment.

TAGGED:opiate addictionopiate overdose
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share
By Ryan Kh
Follow:
Ryan Kh is an experienced blogger, digital content & social marketer. Founder of Catalyst For Business and contributor to search giants like Yahoo Finance, MSN. He is passionate about covering topics like big data, business intelligence, startups & entrepreneurship. Email: ryankh14@icloud.com

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025
recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025

You Might also Like

patient doctor HIS
Public Health

Doctor/Patient Relationship: 7 Ways to Maintain Patient Interaction in the Age of the EHR

February 8, 2013
FitnessGlobal HealthcareHealth care

The Changing Role Of Physical Therapy – From Rehab To Pre-Rehabilitation

August 4, 2020
information addiction
BusinessPublic HealthTechnology

The Information Junkies in Your Support Group

September 25, 2014
injury prevention
Wellness

3 Healthy Habits You Should Start to Prevent Future Injuries

April 11, 2024
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?