Drug abuse first
aid
Alternative names:
overdose from
drugs
Definition:
Drug
abuse is the misuse or overuse of a drug, including alcohol.
Considerations:
Many street drugs
have no therapeutic benefits. Any use of them at all is a
form of drug abuse.
Often legitimate drugs are abused by people who take more
than the recommended dose or take a medication with alcohol
or another drug.
Drug interactions also produce adverse effects. Therefore,
it is important to let your physician know about all the drugs
you are taking.
Many drugs are addictive. Sometimes the addiction is gradual
while with others (like cocaine)
an addiction can happen almost immediately.
A drug dose that is large enough to be toxic is called an
overdose. prompt medical attention may save the life of someone
who accidentally or deliberately takes an overdose.
Drug emergencies are not always easy to identify. If you suspect
someone has overdosed, or if you suspect someone is experiencing
withdrawal, give first aid.
Someone who has become addicted to a drug probably won't be
able to stop without experiencing withdrawal. Withdrawal is
greatly assisted by professional help.
Common causes:
- An overdose
of narcotics can cause sleepiness
and even unconsciousness
- Uppers (stimulants)
produce excitement,
increased rate of heartbeat, and rapid
breathing; downers (depressants) do just the opposite
- Mind-altering
drugs including LSD
and other street drugs may produce paranoia,
hallucinations, aggressive
behavior, or extreme social withdrawal
- Iillegal drugs
such as marijuana may
produce only minor effects such as dilated pupils, redness
about the eyes and slurred
speech; intoxication, however, can produce more serious
effects
- Legal drugs
can adversely interact with other medications you may also
be taking or can produce an allergic
reaction in certain individuals. Legal prescription
drugs are often taken in overdose to achieve effects other
than the therapeutic effects for which they were intended.
This may lead to exaggeration of their effect (as in uppers
and downers), or serious side effects.
Updated Date: 02/09/00
Updated By:J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director,
Utah Health Informatics and adam.com
editorial
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