An overdose is one of the worst dangers of drug use, abuse, and addiction. Most drug overdoses are the result of taking too much of the drug or mixing the drug with alcohol or other drugs.
Although many of these side effects are not dangerous by themselves, when combined they become life threatening. The dangerous side effects of a drug overdose depend on the class of drug. The major drug classes are:
Each of these classes represents a different category of a commonly abused drug. The side effects of a drug overdose are one of the reasons to seek treatment early. To find the right treatment center for you, call 877-743-0081 (Who Answers?).
Opiates—Including Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, and Other Narcotics
Opiates are the class of drug that most causes overdose. According to the Centers for Disease Control, opiates killed more than 28,000 people in 2014. The dangerous side effects of an opiate overdose are:
- Difficulty or stopped breathing
- Stomach cramping
- Constipation resulting in bowel death
- Extremely low blood pressure
- Thready or irregular heart beat
- Bluish tinge to mouth or fingernails (sign of oxygen deprivation)
- Unconsciousness
- Coma
- Death
Each of these side effects varies in severity depending on the opiate. The stronger the opiate and the longer you have been taking it, the more severe the reaction and more likely that you will exhibit dangerous symptoms.
Stimulant Overdose—Including Methamphetamines, Amphetamines, and Cocaine
According to the National Library of Medicine, the dangerous side effects of a stimulant overdose are:
- Chest pain
- Coma
- Cardiac arrest
- Irregular heart beat
- Extremely high body temperature
- Difficulty or stopped breathing
- Paranoia
- Seizures
- Delusional behavior
- Death
Stimulant overdoses are very dangerous because they happen very quickly.
Alcohol
Alcohol overdose is extremely dangerous. Often called alcohol poisoning, it affects hundreds of people every day. Alcohol overdose occurs when there is so much alcohol in the blood that the basic functions of the body begin to shut down. The dangers of an alcohol overdose are:
- Slowed or shallow breathing
- Decreased heart rate
- Unconsciousness
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- A loss of gag reflex, which allows aspiration of vomit into the lungs
- Low body temperature
- Coma
- Death
It is possible to be unconscious when these symptoms occur.
Sedatives and Hypnotics
Most sedatives and hypnotics are relatively safe when used as prescribed. Unfortunately, it is easy to take too many of them or mix them with alcohol or other drugs, which results in an overdose. The dangerous side effects of overdose are:
- Confusion
- Unresponsiveness
- Altered mental state
- Hallucinations
- Respiratory depression and failure
- Amnesia
- Coma
- Death
Most of the symptoms of sedative and hypnotic overdose are not dangerous until they are combined with some of the others.
The best way to avoid the dangerous side effects of drug overdose is to seek treatment for addiction and drug abuse. To find treatment, all you need to do is call 877-743-0081 (Who Answers?). We can help.
Is Infrequent Opium Abuse Still Dangerous? -
The abuse of opium, however infrequent, is always dangerous, as it could lead to many problematic and even deadly consequences. Call now to find rehab centers where you can be treated for opioid abuse and addiction. Opioid Abuse is Dangerous No matter what, the illegal, recreational use of opioid drugs is always risky and could ... 
How is Oxymorphone Addiction Treated? -
If you're abusing oxymorphone, it is imperative that you seek addiction treatment and stop the cycle before the drug takes over your life. 
What are Opiate Derivatives? -
Opiate drugs remain the most effective treatment for relieving pain symptoms of most any kind. Conditions involving back pain, post-surgery pain or just a plain old headache can all be treated using opiate drugs. Opiate derivatives span across multiple groupings within the opiate drug class, with opiate derivatives making up the majority of opiate drugs ... 
Am I Dependent on Opium? -
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “It is estimated that between 26.4 million and 36 million people abuse opioids worldwide.” Both synthetic and natural opioids, and illicit and prescription substances under the same category, are derived from opium, a highly addictive, natural substance that can cause dependence after long term use or abuse. ... 
Does Opium Abuse Lead to Heroin Use? -
Recently, research has suggested that those who abuse opioid painkillers like hydrocodone, oxycodone, and codeine are likely to begin using heroin if they continue their dangerous prescription drug abuse. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Nearly half of young people who inject heroin surveyed in three recent studies reported abusing prescription opioids before ...