Overdose causes and prevention

There are always risks if you use drugs. Drug emergencies can happen at any time, even if you have used a drug before.

But there are things you can do to reduce the risk of overdose or drug emergencies.

Causes of overdose

Things that can increase the risk of overdose include:

• taking the wrong medicine, dose or combination of medicines
• taking an extra risky drug - for example, a new drug or a drug that is stronger than usual
• mixing more than 1 substance at a time - this includes alcohol, drugs or medicines
• taking a drug that is easy to overdose on such as G (GHB or GBL)
• a change in tolerance - for example, if you have not taken a drug in a while
• health conditions or mental health difficulties
• taking too much of a drug or using for several days in a row

When someone takes a harmful dose of substances on purpose, it is called an intentional overdose. The causes of intentional overdose are complex. The person may not want to die but they want to end overwhelming feelings or situations.

Preventing overdose

To help prevent overdose or drug emergencies:

• follow advice on how to reduce risks if you use drugs
• read medicine labels carefully and follow the dose on your prescription
• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you take other medicines
• keep medicines in their original packaging
• do not keep medicines you no longer need - you can return them to a pharmacy
• keep alcohol, drugs and medicines out of the reach of children - in a locked cupboard if possible
• learn when to get help for your mental health

Supporting someone who might be thinking of suicide

How to prepare for an emergency

Getting support after an overdose

It can take time to recover after an overdose. It is important to accept any medical help that is offered to you.

The hospital team may also offer to refer you to drug treatment services. They can help even if you are not sure that you want to change your drug use.

Support if you witness an overdose

When you witness an overdose, you may experience overwhelming thoughts and feelings. There is no right or wrong way to think or feel.

You may feel:

• numb or shocked
• sadness or depression
• angry or defensive
• guilty
• frightened or helpless
• anxious
• confident

Even if you saw an overdose before, some situations can be more difficult than others. For example, if you are close to the person who experienced an overdose.

You might spend a lot of time thinking about the person and what happened before the overdose. You can get support if you find it hard to cope.

Getting help for drug use