On average 3 people die of a drug overdose in Maine every week. The majority of those deaths involve prescription medications. To help you or someone you know receive the earliest possible treatment, know the signs of drug overdose and what to do.
- People experiencing overdose may be:
- Drowsy
- Sweating
- Snoring deeply
- Have lips or nails that are turning blue
- Or they may have stopped breathing and fail to respond even when you yell or rub your knuckles into their breast bone.
Call 9-1-1 immediately if you suspect you or someone you know is showing signs of an overdose.
Early treatment improves the chances of surviving an overdose.
After you call 9-1-1, put the person in the recovery position. Even if the person is breathing, but is unconscious, there is still a significant risk of airway obstruction. The recovery position minimizes the risk to the person in need of help. In this position the person is able to breathe which allows fluids to drain from the nose and throat so they do not block airways.
- Roll person on their side.
- Place top knee bent in front to prevent them from rolling over.
- Place hands bent in front of body and under head to support head.
An overdose can be a slow death; you can become tired and fall asleep and may never wake up.
Tips for preventing overdose:
- Don’t mix your medication (especially with alcohol)
- Take the prescribed amount of medication at the prescribed time.
- Follow your doctor’s orders.
- Do not double up if you forget to take your medication.
- Do not take medication that was not prescribed to you.
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