Overdose is a reality of addiction. Any drug can kill. In 2017, 70,237 died from drug overdoses. Not everyone who overdoses dies though. Survivors are lucky. Even so, there are consequences. The human body can only take so much damage before giving out. The harm, emotional and physical, can be permanent.
Emotional Aftermath
Overdoses are frightening. People who live may experience a number of emotional after-effects. It makes sense that they might be frightened that it will happen again. As addicts, even in the midst of our illness, people often know that they are addicts and that they might not be able to stop using before the next overdose. It is a helpless and powerless feeling.
Some people might experience anger, especially if the overdose was intentional. People living in severe depression can resent surviving. Their anger can be directed at themselves or the people who prevented their deaths. For some people living with addiction, people come to rely on the drug and the people from whom we get them. After an overdose, they might feel betrayed.
Loved ones of the survivor often also experience the trauma. Justifiably, they might be angry. They might feel weak or helpless. It is important that those who know an overdose survivor seek help for themselves. Resentment and fear can lead to long term consequences.
Physical Aftermath
Long term drug uses damages the body in many ways, affecting most of the systems in the body including the liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, and brain. In an overdose, certain things happen all at once. The heart can experience rhythm problems which then leads to muscle damage that can be permanent, increasing the chances of a heart attack later in life. Because the brain is overloaded, breathing becomes troubled which then reduces oxygen to the brain. Some people who survive their overdose experience strokes later.
Once someone has an overdose, the chances of a second overdose increase without help and support. While, in an ideal world, people living with addiction will seek help before they overdose, finding help after an overdose is vital. The longer people use the chances of survival decrease and the chances of overdose increase.
Addiction can leave people feeling helpless and out of control. After an overdose, they might be tempted to surrender. If you are worried about the effects your drug use on your health, Fort Worth Recovery can help. We offer residential treatment for both men and women, medically supervised detox and personalized treatment plans. Call us today at 817 382 2894 or visit us online.
