Question 1

Does overdosing hurt?

Heather Ware · Accepted Answer

Generally, the symptoms of overdosing can range from deeply uncomfortable and distressing to painful. Many of the symptoms of overdosing, like intense headaches and vomiting, can be painful. Moreover, if you overdose and have to have your stomach pumped, that process is painful for some people. If you are considering overdosing as a means for suicide, you should immediately call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Your life has value and is worth protecting, and there are people who care who are ready to speak with you and offer help. Please go here for more information on overdosing

Question 2

What does an overdose do to your body?

Heather Ware · Accepted Answer

The exact mechanism of an overdose depends on the substance being abused, but generally an overdose overwhelms your body with too much of the drug. During a cocaine overdose, for example, you may experience raises in heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and your breathing. In general, an overdose takes whatever is enjoyable about a high and increases it so much that it becomes distressing and, in some cases, life-threatening.

Question 3

What causes an overdose?

Heather Ware · Accepted Answer

An overdose, as the name suggests, is when your body receives too much of a drug. While the specifics can vary depending on the substance, the idea is that too much of the drug stops key functions in your brain and/or body, which can endanger your health and may lead to death. For example, during an opioid overdose, opioid receptors in your brain may be so overwhelmed that they stop functioning, which can lead to troubled breathing and, eventually, death.

Question 4

What are the symptoms of overdose?

Heather Ware · Accepted Answer

Symptoms of overdose can vary depending on the substance. However, the most common symptoms of overdose are:

Erratic behavior and abrupt mood swings
Loss of consciousness
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of sensation and movement in limbs
Hallucinations and/or delusions
Trouble breathing
An overly fast or slow heartbeat
Seizures

Florida Drug Overdose Deaths on the Rise: 2019 vs 2020

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