August 31: International Overdose Prevention Day

An overdose is an excessive intake of a substance, whose effects produce changes that the body can no longer support. The amount consumed exceeded the body's tolerance threshold. This threshold is unique in each person, depending on morphology, usual consumption, lifestyle habits, etc.

No matter what drug or medication you take, it is possible to overdose. Today, the illegal market for illicit substances is growing and affecting more and more users, whether they are initiated into consumption or not. Lack of knowledge of the consequences and uses on consumers makes this consumption all the more dangerous. The overdose may have been done accidentally following drug consumption or intended as a suicide attempt.

In addition, it is difficult to really know what the substance consumed contains. Regularly drugs are adulterated with other substances which can be much more dangerous in small doses than we think, such as fentanyl or carfentanil. Overdose may manifest as altered states of consciousness, which may cause comas. Excessive sweating and a decrease in respiratory rate will be felt. You will experience a decrease in heart rate or, on the contrary, too much acceleration until it stops. These symptoms often lead to death if resuscitation treatment is not provided extremely quickly.

If you see anyone suffering from these symptoms, call emergency services immediately.

As far as prevention is concerned, it is difficult to prohibit someone who wants to use drugs from using drugs. You will not be listened to or heard. Whatever happens, you can always try to prevent, guide and support the person. It is true that drug consumption is often due to a discomfort that we try to anaesthetize through a substance which, for a few moments, extinguishes the pain. Try to understand the composition of the drug the person is using. Do not be judgmental, but acknowledge their drug use without judgment. It can make it possible to understand the person's discomfort, but also to be able to refer them to a health professional more easily. If this person consumes in front of you, consider offering them to hydrate regularly. It is important that this person does not consume alone. This is how overdoses happen: when there is no one to call for help and help the person. But do you feel capable of looking after this person when they use? It is important to not consume other substances at the same time, and to start with small doses. Be prepared to alert emergency services if necessary.

The most important thing if you want to help a person who uses is to not make them feel guilty, but on the contrary, that you are ready to listen to them in order to help direct them to another professional. You can call the drug information center or an addiction center such as CSAPA or CAARUD. They can also provide you with anti-overdose kits that you can use on the person using the drug if they lose consciousness (the instructions are noted on the packaging). Be aware that death by overdose can be avoided if you administer the naloxone which is present in these kits by vaporization or injection as well as if you take certain first aid actions while waiting for the emergency services to arrive. Follow the instructions you receive and what the emergency services tell you. There may sometimes be some shortages, so remember to always try to have some on you or ask the person using to have one on them.

If you are unsure about someone's consumption, and you have doubts about their behavior, know that certain signs can give you clues. Not all drugs necessarily have the same symptoms, but this can already give you a clue. It is possible that you have noticed a change in the person's daily activities and lifestyle, they may have changed their relationship to food (significant weight gain or loss) and have an unstable sleep cycle, great fatigue, and an unpleasant body odor. It is also possible to have noticed some impulsive, aggressive behavior and a lot of daydreams in the person, accompanied by great anxiety, even depressive symptoms.

Physically, you may notice certain unusual marks on the body, syringe marks, red eyes and a particularly dilated pupil, tremors, redness or abnormal paleness, nosebleeds, dry cough, etc.

If you feel like you have detected this in someone around you, you can try to talk to them about possible solutions, in a kind way. Once again, keep in mind the fact that drug use is a crutch, and a solution found to alleviate another underlying illness. You can therefore invite him to carry out a diagnostic assessment of his consumption with a professional. There are clinics specializing in addiction, hospital services or psychiatrists who can help him.

In any case, do not try to bear the burden of this person's consumption on yourself, but help them to be redirected towards a professional or a center which can help them in an appropriate way.