Over 107,000 Overdose Deaths in 2022—Here's How to Recognize the Warning Signs

Overdose deaths in the United States topped 107,000 in 2022, making overdose one of the leading causes of preventable death. Recognizing the warning signs of an overdose is crucial because immediate medical intervention can prevent death or lasting health complications. Many people experiencing an overdose are unaware of what's happening to them due to the heavy influence of drugs or alcohol, which is why knowing what to look for could literally save someone's life.

What Are the Key Warning Signs of an Overdose?

Overdose symptoms vary depending on the substance involved, but certain signs consistently indicate a medical emergency. The most dangerous symptom is respiratory failure—when breathing stops or becomes dangerously shallow—which is the most common cause of death during any substance overdose. If you notice someone displaying any of these warning signs, call 911 immediately rather than attempting home treatment.

• Respiratory Distress: Shallow breathing, slow breathing, respiratory depression (slow and ineffective breathing), or complete respiratory arrest (stops breathing entirely)
• Neurological Symptoms: Confusion, dizziness, slurred speech, impaired coordination, seizures, or loss of consciousness
• Physical Indicators: Dilated pupils, bluish tint to the skin (cyanosis), extremely pale skin, or blue-tinged lips
• Cardiovascular Signs: Slow heart rate, severe chest pain, or slowed pulse
• Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Nausea and vomiting
• Behavioral Changes: Limpness or complete unresponsiveness

The challenge is that a person experiencing an overdose is usually unaware of the danger they're in. Instead of asking what an overdose feels like, it's more helpful to recognize what an overdose looks like so you can act quickly.

Which Substances Carry the Highest Overdose Risk?

Overdoses can result from illegal drugs, prescription medications, or even over-the-counter medications taken in toxic amounts. The substances with the highest risk for fatal overdose include:

• Opioids: Prescription painkillers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl, as well as heroin, are among the most dangerous substances for overdose
• Benzodiazepines: Prescription anxiety medications like Xanax and Valium can be lethal in high doses, especially when combined with other substances
• Alcohol: A depressant that can be lethal in high doses and is the leading cause of death from substance abuse
• Stimulants: Amphetamines, methamphetamines (like Adderall), cocaine, and crack cocaine all carry significant overdose risk
• Other Substances: Ketamine, heroin, and illegally manufactured forms of prescription drugs pose serious overdose dangers
• Over-the-Counter Medications: Even common drugs like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be harmful in large doses

A particularly dangerous trend involves street drugs laced with more potent substances. For example, cocaine or heroin may be cut with fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, without the user's knowledge. This dramatically increases overdose risk because people don't know the actual strength of what they're taking.

Who Is Most Vulnerable to Overdose?

Certain groups face elevated overdose risk due to biological, behavioral, or circumstantial factors. Understanding these risk factors helps identify who needs additional support and monitoring:

• Age Groups: Children and seniors are more likely to accidentally overdose—children due to curiosity when medications are left within reach, and seniors because they often take multiple medications prescribed by different doctors
• Mental Health Status: People with depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders face higher risk for intentional overdoses
• Substance Use History: People who abuse drugs or alcohol are more likely to accidentally overdose due to miscalculating their tolerance level
• Polysubstance Use: Using multiple substances simultaneously dramatically increases overdose risk due to combined effects—for example, mixing opioids with alcohol or benzodiazepines
• Physical Health: Poor nutrition, dehydration, and sleep deprivation all contribute to increased overdose vulnerability

Accidental overdoses can happen in unexpected ways. Young children between six months and three years old may find prescription medications and ingest them out of curiosity. Seniors might accidentally take the wrong medication or too much of a prescribed drug. Mixing alcohol with prescription medications or other drugs is particularly dangerous because alcohol amplifies the effects of other substances.

What Should You Do If Someone Is Overdosing?

The most critical action is calling 911 immediately. Do not attempt to treat an overdose at home. Professional medical treatment usually requires hospitalization and may involve specific antidotes. For opioid overdoses, naloxone (Narcan) is administered to reverse the effects. For benzodiazepine overdoses, flumazenil is used. Hospital treatment may also include activated charcoal to absorb toxins, gastric lavage (stomach pumping), intravenous fluids to maintain hydration and blood pressure, and oxygen therapy to help with breathing.

The good news is that most states have instituted Good Samaritan laws to protect individuals from criminal charges if they seek emergency help for an overdose. This legal protection exists specifically to encourage people to call 911 without fear of prosecution, removing a major barrier to life-saving intervention.

Understanding overdose warning signs and risk factors empowers you to recognize emergencies and act decisively. With over 107,000 overdose deaths occurring in 2022, awareness and quick action have never been more important. If you suspect an overdose, err on the side of caution and call 911 immediately—it could mean the difference between life and death.