Drug overdose deaths are all too common today, primarily because people don’t seek drug or alcohol addiction treatment early enough. However, there are a number of other reasons why someone may overdose on drugs or alcohol.
Mental Illness
Many individuals who die as a result of overdose also have a co-occurring mental illness. Whether because they are self-medicating or simply take the wrong dosage, people with mental health issues are much more susceptible to experiencing a fatal overdose. Unfortunately, millions of Americans self-medicate each year because they’re other uncomfortable admitting they have a mental illness or they simply think no one will understand.
Beginning to remove the stigma from mental health issues may save hundreds of thousands of lives.
Polysubstance Abuse
While abusing one drug is dangerous, mixing drugs together when a physician hasn’t signed off can be lethal. Many people mix substances like heroin and alcohol, or even prescription drugs and alcohol. Both of these substances are depressants, which means they slow down the central nervous system. A slowed central nervous system can lead to respiratory depression or even heart failure when these drugs mix just right. All too many times, mixing the wrong substances results in drug overdose deaths.
Injecting Drugs
Injection is arguably the most dangerous method of drug abuse. When people inject drugs into their veins, these substances become more potent, as they reach the heart much faster. A drug laced with something else or a higher dose than usual can lead to a swift overdose.
Additionally, needle sharing can result in a variety of dangerous disease, including HIV, hepatitis, and STIs.
Solo Drug Use
While we never condone drug abuse, one of the most dangerous ways to use drugs is alone. As individuals get deeper into their addictions, they often begin to isolate themselves, even from people who they began using with. If individuals use with others around, at least there’s someone to call the ambulance. However, when they use by themselves, there’s a chance that no one will even know about the overdose until hours or days later.
Suicide
In a study conducted in 2010, 20% of individuals who committed suicide had opiates in their system at the time that they died. While not every person in this category died as a result of an overdose, they’re included in this statistic. Some people commit suicide because they believe that there’s no other way out or that nobody understands them. This is especially true for teenage drug abuse. Seeking addiction treatment can help these individuals find hope and continue to want to live.
Preventing Drug Overdose Deaths Through Addiction Treatment
At Pinnacle Peak Recovery in Scottsdale, AZ, we individualize treatment plans to get people with addiction back on their feet. Don’t become one of the nearly 40,000 people that die each year as a result of overdose deaths. Call 866-377-4761 today for more information on our addiction treatment programs.