There are many dangers associated with substance abuse. An addiction that is out of control can cause a rational person to behave in a self-destructive manner. It is not uncommon for addicts to squander their money pursuing their vices. If they have no more money they will engage in criminal activity and find ways to continue feeding their addiction. This reckless behavior will usually land them in jail, or involuntary rehab. While all this is pretty bad, it doesn’t close the door to recovery and changing for the better. As the saying goes, “Once you hit rock bottom, there is nowhere left to go but up.” Even the most difficult cases have a chance at recovery. Sadly some people suffering from addiction don’t get a chance to turn their life around. Death by overdose is a fairly common occurrence. There are 3 common scenarios that can lead to an overdose:
Some people overdose because they are already in a compromised state of mind and lose track of how many drugs they have taken. They continue to take more and more until they reach lethal quantities.
The second scenario for overdose is when inexperienced or casual drug users want to try something new or experiment. This is the case for many young people who go to parties or music festivals where access to various kinds of drugs is very easy. They often take drugs for the first time and are unfamiliar with what is a safe dose. They also are unaware or don’t take seriously the dangers of mixing certain prescription drugs with recreational drugs and alcohol. This can create a lethal chemical cocktail.
Finally, another all too common scenario for overdose is tainted drugs. Buying illegal drugs is inherently dangerous because there is no guarantee of what you are buying. There are many cases of people buying what they think is shabu or cocaine but the purity is so low and the product is full of toxic chemicals leftover from the production process. These low-quality drugs can have unexpected and lethal side effects.
Usually, death from overdose can be prevented if a person gets medical treatment on time. However, most are reluctant to go to the hospital because they are afraid that after they are treated they will go to jail or face other legal problems.
Don’t wait for the worst to happen; get help. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse feel free to contact Milestone Health & Wellness HERE.