August 31 is Overdose Awareness Day, the largest annual campaign to end overdose and remember those who have died.
Too many lives have been taken and too many people have been personally affected by alcohol and drug overdose, which is the leading cause of death for people ages 18 to 45. In 2022, there were nearly 110K overdoses in the United States, according to the CDC, the main drivers being fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.
Overdoses happen when the body is overwhelmed by a toxic number of substances. You can overdose on many substances if/when abused, including alcohol, illicit drugs, or even prescribed medication. They can be caused by many different factors, such as improper drug storage, ignoring drug dosage instructions, inappropriate use, and mental health history.
Research shows that people who have had at least one overdose are more likely to have another. In 2022, around 54.6 million Americans needed substance use disorder treatment, but only 13.1 million people with a substance use disorder in the past year received treatment.
While overdoses can have devastating and long-lasting impacts on our lives and communities, they can be prevented. Ways to prevent overdose can include:
- Improving opioid prescribing
- Reducing exposure to opioids
- Preventing illegal opioid use and prescription opioid misuse
- Treating opioid use disorder
You can protect those at risk by utilizing prescription drug monitoring programs and by learning about the risks of prescription opioids.
While recognizing an overdose can be difficult, signs might include:
- Unconsciousness or inability to awaken
- Slow or shallow breathing or difficulty breathing such as choking sounds or gurgling/snoring noise from a person who cannot be awakened
- Discolored skin (especially in nails or lips)
- Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils” that don’t react to light
This Overdose Awareness Day, let’s commit to raising awareness of this issue and preventing these deaths. For more information, visit cdc.gov to learn more.
To find a doctor or schedule an appointment, visit Steward DoctorFinder™.
