30 August, 2024
Worldwide, about 600,000 deaths were attributable to drug use along with 2.6 million deaths attributable to alcohol consumption in 2019.
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is held each year on August 31 to raise awareness, create a better understanding of overdose, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and create change that reduces the harms associated with drug use.
An overdose occurs when a toxic (poisonous) amount of a drug or medicine is taken. They are not all intentional, fatal or life-threatening, regardless an overdose is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.
Substances that people can overdose on include:
- alcohol
- prescription medications
- over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications
- illicit drugs
- some herbal remedies
In the UK alone, there were 10,048 deaths from alcohol-specific causes registered in the UK in 2022, the highest number on record. Furthermore, England and Wales registered 4,907 deaths related to drug poisoning in 2022. Additionally, Northern Ireland recorded 154 drug-related deaths and 127 drug misuse deaths, whilst 1,051 people lost their lives to a drug-related death in Scotland in 2022.
Some common causes of overdoses are:
- Improper drug storage practices. This makes drugs and/or medications easily accessible to pets and children.
- Ignoring drug dosage instructions. This results in a person taking too much medication or medicating too often.
- Inappropriate use. This abuse of prescription medication or illicit substances, sometimes mixing different medications or taking them with alcohol.
- Mental health history. Anxiety, depression, or even suicidal thoughts can lead to intentional overdoses.
All drug and alcohol overdoses are preventable. International Overdose Awareness Day, aims to spread awareness of evidence-based strategies and tools that can help prevent overdoses. Ultimately, in the hope of preventing harm and saving lives from overdose.
The issue of overdose is complex, encompassing stigma, discrimination, and widespread misunderstandings about drug use and those who use drugs. Misinformation and insufficient information have caused many individuals to underestimate or overlook the risks associated with drug use, including alcohol and pharmaceuticals.
To effectively prevent overdoses, a united effort from governments, organizations in and outside of the health sector, and a caring, well-informed community is needed. Addressing the ongoing global overdose epidemic effectively will require the collaboration of several elements including:
- Empowering communities to raise awareness
- Support reform and rehabilitation efforts
- Gaining insights and knowledge from individuals with personal experiences of overdose and drug use,
- Implementing culturally relevant solutions
The widespread issue of addiction presents a persistent and distressing challenge for individuals who are dependent on drugs and/or alcohol, often resulting in prolonged suffering when they are unable to access evidence-based treatment or encounter discrimination. The repercussions of addiction can have extensive negative effects on not only the individuals but also their families, potentially spanning multiple generations, as well as their friends and colleagues. Drug and alcohol use can significantly endanger both physical and mental well-being, particularly during the formative stages of adolescence.
Different types of drug overdoses can present varying symptoms. For instance, overdosing on a central nervous system depressant like an opioid can cause loss of consciousness and cessation of breathing. On the other hand, a stimulant drug overdose can result in symptoms such as overheating, cardiac events, or neurotoxicity-related symptoms.
If you think someone is experiencing an overdose, call for emergency assistance and then administer first aid if you can.
These fact sheets from Penington Institute provide information about the signs of an overdose and how you can respond based on different drug types.
There were 290,635 adults in contact with drug and alcohol services between April 2022 and March 2023 with 137,749 adults entering treatment. More than 99% of people in treatment received some form of structured treatment.
According to a report produced by the UK Office for Health Improvement & Disparities:
"A total of 127,385 people left drug and alcohol treatment in 2022 to 2023.Of the people who left treatment, 46% completed their treatment successfully and were discharged as ‘treatment completed’. The alcohol only group had the highest rate of treatment completed at 58%. This was followed by the non-opiate group (51%) and the non-opiate and alcohol group (49%). The opiate only group had a completion rate of 23%."
Fortress Diagnostics has a range of products for testing for drug and alcohol abuse. For more information on any of these tests or a quote, contact info@fortressdiagnostics.com
