Drug abuse first aid

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Overdose from drugs

Drug overdose symptoms vary widely depending on the specific drug used, but may include:

• Abnormal pupil size
• Agitation
• Convulsions
• Death
• Delusional or paranoid behavior
• Difficulty breathing
• Drowsiness
• Hallucinations
• Nausea and vomiting
• Nonreactive pupils (pupils that do not change size when exposed to light)
• Staggering or unsteady gait (ataxia)
• Sweating or extremely dry, hot skin
• Tremors
• Unconsciousness (coma)
• Violent or aggressive behavior

Drug withdrawal symptoms also vary widely depending on the specific drug used, but may include:

• Abdominal cramping
• Agitation
• Cold sweat
• Convulsions
• Delusions
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Hallucinations
• Nausea and vomiting
• Restlessness
• Shaking
• Death

Review Date: 06/29/2010
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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