Stimulant overdoses on the rise as opioid deaths decline, but treatment is complex
More people recognize opioid overdoses, but education about stimulant overdoses hasn’t been as clear-cut Overdoses involving stimulants are on the rise in many parts of the country, according to recently available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but experts say recognizing and responding to them is more complex when compared with opioid overdoses. “The rate of overdose…
Stimulant overdoses are on the rise across the United States, despite declining opioid overdose deaths, making their treatment more complex, according to recent data from the CDC. While fentanyl-involved overdose deaths have dropped to pre-pandemic levels, deaths involving cocaine have increased in 13 states and deaths involving methamphetamine have risen in eight states.
Some states, like Arizona, are witnessing record-high non-fatal stimulant overdoses. Recognizing and responding to stimulant overdoses is more challenging compared to opioid overdoses, as their symptoms can vary widely. Experts recommend learning to recognize signs of stroke, such as balance loss, vision changes, facial droop, limb weakness, speech difficulty, and time to call 911, as well as stimulant-induced shortness of breath, seizures, and chest pain.
Bystanders can save lives using naloxone for opioid overdoses, but there are no equivalent tools for stimulant-induced heart attacks, strokes, or seizures. High doses of stimulants can cause hyperthermia, leading to brain damage or death, especially in hot climates. To prevent overheating, people should stay hydrated and avoid prolonged, sleepless stimulant binges.
Validating the person's experience and calming the environment can help during an EMS arrival. Older men with heart health problems are at the highest risk of fatal stimulant overdoses, even when other substances are involved. Drug criminalization and abstinence-only messaging make it difficult to study and improve health outcomes in this situation.
Written by urgent.news from The Guardian US's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
