An opioid overdose occurs when a person takes a large amount of opioids and their body ceases to function normally, or experiences an adverse reaction.
The term “opioid” refers to a variety of natural and synthetic compounds that are regularly prescribed for pain relief.
It is important to know first aid for opioid overdoses, as casualties can cease breathing in a matter of minutes.
What are Opioids?
Opioids are a variety of natural and synthetic compounds that are derived from the poppy seed, including heroin, morphine, and fentanyl.
Opioids react with opioid receptors in the brain, which regulate the body’s sense of pain and reward, and so have analgesic and sedative effects.
As opioids can also cause euphoria, they are often taken for non-medicinal reasons and can lead to dependence.
What Causes Opioid Overdoses?
People can overdose on opioids if their body is not used to it, or if they take a combination of substances at the same time.
This includes people who resume taking opioids after a period of abstinence, and whose tolerance to the drug has been reduced.
Opioids taken in too high a dose can depress breathing, thereby leading to slow, shallow breaths that cannot sustain life.
Signs and Symptoms of an Opioid Overdose
It a casualty takes opioids and begins exhibiting the following signs and symptoms, they may be experiencing an opioid overdose:
Unconscious
Awake, but unresponsive and/or unable to talk
Vomiting
Making choking sounds, or a snore-like gurgling sound
Weak, thready pulse or no pulse at all
Shallow, erratic breathing or no breathing at all
Blue or purplish black fingernails and/or lips
Limp body and bluish purple skin (for lighter skinned people) or greyish ashen skin (for darker skinned people)
"About opioid overdose and adverse reactions, Australian Government Department of Health, https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/take-home-naloxone-pilot/about-opioid-overdose-and-adverse-reactions
"Opioid overdose", World Health Organization, Awake, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/opioid-overdose
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