Opioid Intoxication, overdose and treatment

November 17, 2020

4 min read

The epidemic of opioid intoxication and addiction continues to kill or harm thousands of Americans annually. It tears families apart and leaves communities shattered. If the worst happens, there are ways to reverse an overdose if the person is discovered in time and treat opioid dependency.

Opioids include the following drugs, whether prescription or street drugs:

Codeine
Fentanyl
Heroin
Morphine
Oxycodone

Opioid Intoxication

Opioid intoxication involves more than just getting high on a drug. It refers to the way these powerful drugs affect the entire body.

Opioid intoxication is not always the patient’s fault, per se. While some people addicted to opioids use street drugs, others receive prescription opioids for pain management. The former aim to get high, or at least stave off “dope sickness,” the body’s reaction when an addict goes into withdrawal. The latter take opioids for specific medical purposes, but they can suffer from opioid intoxication due to errors in dosage or in combination with other pharmaceuticals.

For example, a person may receive a prescription for opioids following surgery. If the healthcare provider is unaware that the patient takes a sleep medication, they could inadvertently set the person up for opioid intoxication. The same holds true if a healthcare provider writes a prescription for an opioid medication not realizing the patient already takes a similar drug. Some liver or kidney issues can make opioid intoxication more likely.

That is why it is crucial that doctors and other healthcare providers know about all the medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, that the patient currently takes. The patient must keep their healthcare provider thoroughly informed. Doctors must warn patients prescribed opioids that they should not consume alcohol while on this medication.

Opioid intoxication may occur when a patient takes more of the drug than prescribed. A common scenario is that of an older person prescribed opioids after surgery. If the patient experiences some memory or cognitive problems, he or she may not remember that they already took a dose and take another dose by mistake. Avoid this issue by separating and labeling daily doses so the person can tell at once whether this is the right time to take their medication.

Opioid Overdose

Unresponsiveness is the major sign of an opioid overdose, but it is not the only one. Other signs of an opioid overdose include:

Abnormal, slow breathing
Extreme fatigue
Inability to speak
Lips and nose appear blue
Pale face
Pupils become pinpoints
Skin becomes clammy to the touch

If possible, the person should call 911 if they think they overdosed. That is not always realistic, but anyone finding someone in such a condition must call 911 right away. Tell the operator or the first responder the age, weight, and height of the person, as well as whether the person has any known underlying medical conditions or is on any other medications. Let them know if you think the person has been drinking alcohol or has taken any other drugs.

While you wait for the emergency responders, stay calm, and try to keep the victim awake.

Overdose Treatment

When a person overdoses, time is of the essence. Without prompt treatment, death is likely. Naloxone is an FDA-approved medication that quickly reverses an opioid overdose. As an opioid antagonist, the drug binds to opioid receptors and reverses the opioid’s effects. Naloxone is administered either intranasally, or by injection into a vein, muscle, or beneath the skin.

While naloxone is life-saving, its effects are temporary. A person revived from an overdose via naloxone should receive immediate medical attention.

Doctors may prescribe naloxone for some opioid abusers to have on hand in case of overdose. That way, a family member or friend may save the person’s life should they overdose but naloxone is readily available. A healthcare provider can show patients, caregivers, or relatives how to administer the medication.

Opioid Treatment

Certain types of opioid addiction are treated by giving the patient other opioid medications. For example, heroin addicts may receive methadone, which works by changing the way the brain and the central nervous system respond to pain. If patients receiving methadone take another type of opiate, the methadone blocks the euphoric effect of these drugs. It lessens the symptoms of withdrawal. Patients taking methadone can lead relatively normal lives. How long they must stay on this medication varies, but treatment should last at least a year and often much longer.

Buprenorphine is another FDA-approved opioid used to treat addiction. It is not as strong as methadone and is first given to patients in the initial stages of opioid withdrawal. Buprenorphine reduces their cravings for opioids. Depending on the patient, it is prescribed for short or long-term use.

In addition to medication, those dealing with opioid substance abuse issues may benefit from therapy and counseling, whether through individual appointments with psychologists and other mental health or substance abuse experts or in group sessions.