Opium overdose is extremely serious and can be deadly if the individual is not taken to the hospital immediately. It is important to do whatever necessary to avoid the possibility of opioid overdose, so if you believe someone you know is abusing opium to a dangerous degree, call 877-743-0081 (Who Answers?) now to find a safe, effective treatment program for them.
Opium Overdose and Its Effects
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the effects of opium overdose include “slow breathing, seizures, dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness, coma, and possible death.” If a person takes an incredibly high dose of opium, the drug will slow down all of their body’s functions, including their respiration. The individual could breathe so shallowly that the body is unable to receive enough oxygen or they may stop breathing altogether.
Unconsciousness could result from an acute opium overdose.
Some of the signs of opium overdose include:
- Slowed, shallow or no breathing
- Confusion
- Drowsiness, sleepiness, or unconsciousness
- Loss of alertness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Incredibly small pupils similar to the head of a pin (also called pinpoint pupils)
In some cases, an individual may also experience seizures. If you notice these signs of overdose in someone else, call 911 immediately.
Immediate, At-Home Treatment
It is necessary to call 911 right away, as the person will need more than home care. Even if their symptoms do not seem severe at first, they can worsen quickly, and time is of the essence when dealing with respiratory depression. Below are some other ways you can help treat the individual at home while waiting for the ambulance:
- Try to keep the individual conscious.
- Stay with the individual at all times.
- Never induce vomiting, as it could cause the person to choke.
- Especially if a friend or family member of yours is a consistent opium abuser, make sure to obtain a naloxone auto-injection device. By administering this medication to an individual who is overdosing on opioids, you can save valuable time before the ambulance comes. According to the National Library of Medicine, naloxone “works by blocking the effects of opiates to relieve dangerous symptoms caused by high levels of opiates in the blood.”
Professional Overdose Treatment
Naloxone will often be administered at the hospital in order to block the effect of the opioids and help the person breathe normally again. Breathing support will also be utilized if necessary as well as intravenous fluids. The patient is usually monitored closely for 4 to 6 hours and may be kept in the hospital for around 24 to 48 hours (NLM).
It is helpful for doctors to know how much opium the individual took as well as if there are any other drugs in their system. Therefore, you should tell the doctor what you know about your friend or family member’s drug abuse in order to help their recovery. Doctors in the ED will also perform a number of tests to ensure that the individual is stable before treatment has ended.
Seek Opium Addiction Treatment Today
Many people wait until the serious effects of opium abuse cause an issue like overdose before seeking help. If you or a loved one has been using opium recreationally and experiencing moderate to severe side effects as a result, it is important to seek help now. Call 877-743-0081 (Who Answers?) immediately to find a rehab program.
How Do I Reconnect with Family During Opium Addiction Treatment? -
Opium addiction can be very difficult on the addicted individual, but it can also seriously hurt their family members, friends, and other loved ones. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Drug abuse puts a lot of stress on parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents––anyone who is part of the home,” and this often causes ... 
Does Subutex Block Opiates? -
People coming off long-term opiate addictions well know how opiate effects can persist long after they stop using. Without some form of medication treatment in place, many recovering addicts would have a difficult time maintaining abstinence on an ongoing basis. As one of many FDA approved opiate addiction treatment medications, Subutex offers certain therapeutic benefits ... 
How Dangerous is Opium Abuse? -
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, “Opium is a highly addictive non-synthetic narcotic that is extracted from the poppy plant, Papaver somniferum.” The drug causes similar effects to the prescription opioids it can be used to create, but it is not currently used as a treatment for any medical condition. Some people abuse opium in ... 
Warning Signs of Opium Abuse -
Opium abuse can be just as dangerous as any other type of opiate-based drug abuse; according to the DEA, opium is “a highly addictive non-synthetic narcotic,” and its abuse is often combined with that of other dangerous drugs. If you are concerned that someone you know may be abusing opium, here are the warning signs ... 
What Are Natural Opiates? -
There are actually three kinds of opioid drugs. There are synthetic opioids, semi-synthetic opioids, and natural opiates. Natural opioids are called this because they come from a natural source. According to ISATE, they “are derived from the… opium poppy.” While some opioid drugs are completely manmade and manufactured in a lab, natural opiates come directly ...