What Really Happens to Your Body During an Overdose
An overdose occurs when someone takes more of a substance—whether drugs, medication, or alcohol—than their body can handle. The effects depend on the substance and amount, but one thing is clear: an overdose is extremely dangerous and often life-threatening. Here’s how an overdose impacts different parts of your body, why it’s so harmful, and why getting treatment fast matters.
1. Breathing Problems
For many drugs, especially opioids like heroin or fentanyl, respiratory depression is the biggest danger. Overdosing slows down or even stops your breathing, which cuts off oxygen to your brain and other organs. Without oxygen, brain cells die quickly, leading to permanent brain damage, coma, or even death.
2. Heart Issues
Overdoses often disrupt heart function and blood pressure. Stimulants (like cocaine or meth) make your heart race and push up your blood pressure, which can trigger heart attacks, strokes, or irregular heartbeats. Sedatives, on the other hand, slow down your heart too much, creating dangerously low blood pressure and increasing the risk of heart failure.
3. Brain Shutdown
An overdose disrupts the central nervous system, which controls brain and nerve function. With depressants like opioids, benzodiazepines, or alcohol, brain activity slows down significantly, causing confusion, loss of consciousness, or seizures. Stimulants overstimulate the brain, which can also lead to seizures, tremors, or severe paranoia.
4. Digestive and Liver Damage
Your liver works hard to process toxins, but an overdose can overwhelm it. High doses of substances like acetaminophen (found in Tylenol) or alcohol can damage or even shut down the liver. Overdoses often trigger vomiting as the body tries to expel toxins, and repeated vomiting can lead to dehydration, putting extra stress on the organs.
5. Brain Damage from Oxygen Loss
When an overdose cuts off your breathing, it leads to oxygen deprivation, or hypoxia. Without oxygen, brain cells begin to die, causing lasting brain damage. Even survivors may face memory loss, trouble with motor skills, or other cognitive issues as a result.
6. Kidney Failure
Overdoses strain the kidneys, especially when dehydration or muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) occurs. Muscle breakdown releases toxins that the kidneys struggle to filter out, and severe cases can lead to kidney failure, requiring dialysis if left untreated.
7. Lasting Psychological Effects
Surviving an overdose often leads to lasting emotional challenges, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health issues. The trauma of an overdose experience leaves a lasting impact, and many people benefit from mental health support to cope with the emotional toll.
8. Muscle and Skin Damage
Prolonged unconsciousness during an overdose can lead to muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) and pressure sores. When muscles break down, they release more toxins into the bloodstream, which adds even more stress on the kidneys.
What to Do in an Overdose Emergency
If you suspect someone is overdosing, call emergency services immediately. Administering naloxone (Narcan) temporarily reverses an opioid overdose, giving time for help to arrive. Emergency responders use oxygen therapy, IV fluids, and medications to stabilize the person, but quick action is key to improving recovery chances.
Long-Term Effects of an Overdose
An overdose leaves lasting scars on the body, especially if it causes organ damage or brain injury. Many people recovering from an overdose need ongoing medical care, mental health support, and a plan to prevent future incidents.
The Bottom Line
An overdose affects nearly every part of your body, and the consequences can be severe. Understanding how an overdose impacts the body highlights the importance of responsible substance use and recognizing when it’s time to seek help. If you or someone you know struggles with substance use, there are people and resources ready to help.
