All world countries in modern times are united by such a problem as drug addiction, each state is struggling with this phenomenon in its own way. Increasingly, cases of drug poisoning began to occur. At the same time, a large percentage of mortality occurs in adolescents, since their body has not yet fully formed and matured. Nervous experiences, depression in adolescence lead to the fact that young people begin to use high doses of drugs, which leads to an “overdose” and death. Therefore, the question remains how to recognize the first signs of drug poisoning and provide timely assistance.
Drug intoxication
Currently, in our country, this problem is in second place after alcohol poisoning. The destructive effect of drugs is caused by a decrease in the respiratory and cough centers of the brain, as well as an inhibitory effect on the central nervous system, and an increase in the excitability of the vagus nerve. In most cases, intoxication occurs when a new drug is used, when drugs are mixed with alcohol, with numerous injections of toxins into the body, an increase in dose after addiction, erroneous medication, and also against the background of various diseases and when attempting suicide. In this case, a life-threatening condition occurs, the rate of development of which depends on the method of administration of the drug. So, the first signs of drug poisoning with intravenous administration of a substance can appear for ten minutes, and with intramuscular and enteric routes of administration of drugs - for several hours.
Common drugs
In modern times, it is customary to distinguish several types of drugs :
- Opiates that are natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic. This includes, for example, heroin, tramal, morphine and others.
- Hallucinogens or psychedelics that can be natural and synthetic. Such substances include, for example, poisonous mushrooms, LSD and so on.
- Antidepressants and sedatives, which include barbiturates and benzodiazepines, such as Nozepam, Phenobarbital, and so on.
- Hemp preparations, for example, hash, marijuana and others.
- Stimulants, such as cocaine, caffeine, amphetamines, Ephedrine, etc.
- Anticholinergics, for example, “Klofelin”, “Taren”, “Diphenhydramine” and so on.
- Dissociatives, for example, Ketamine or Dextromethorphan.
These are not all drugs, often drug addicts themselves prepare drugs from hemp, poppy, and drugs. In this case, it is necessary to distinguish between signs indicating drug poisoning, which may be different depending on the specific type of drug.
Complications and outcome
Common causes of death are cerebral, pulmonary edema, circulatory disturbances, development of limb necrosis, internal hemorrhages, and injuries. In this case, the main danger of drug poisoning is damage to the brain, liver, heart and kidneys, respiratory arrest, blood circulation and death. Thus, the following complications are possible:
- respiratory failure and pulmonary edema;
- swelling and death of the brain;
- toxic shock and coma;
- pneumonia and sepsis;
- thrombosis and thrombophlebitis;
- fatal outcome.
General symptoms
Depending on the type of drug used, different signs may appear that indicate drug poisoning. It can be both different disorders of consciousness, and a coma. At the same time, a person becomes inhibited, lethargic, not oriented in space and what is happening around him, he gradually falls asleep. In severe cases, loss of consciousness is possible , which is preceded by arousal up to aggression. Often with overdoses, nausea, headache, weakness, slow reaction, anxiety occur. The pupils of the eyes become narrow or, conversely, wide enough. Blood pressure in this case can be either low, with a reduced pulse and breathing, or high, accompanied by tachycardia, pain in the heart. Then comes a loss of consciousness and coma. At the same time, convulsions and the chaotic movement of eyeballs are a bad sign, such signs of drug poisoning can indicate cerebral edema.
Opiate intoxication
In case of poisoning with substances of this group, a person feels peacefully, he wants to sleep. The skin becomes pale, the pupils narrow, the sensitivity decreases, the body temperature drops to thirty-five degrees Celsius. The tip of the nose constantly itches and itches, speech becomes slurred, movements are disturbed, breathing becomes superficial and irregular, and bradycardia sets in. The group of opium drugs negatively affects the respiratory center, when they are poisoned, breathing slows down until it stops.
Hallucinogen poisoning (psychedelics)
The danger in this case is the availability of drugs of this group, especially for hallucinogenic mushrooms, which are ubiquitous. So, signs of drug poisoning include increased pulse and blood pressure, dilated pupils, trembling hands and disorientation in space, coordination of movements, as well as dry skin, hallucinations, euphoria. Heart pain, speech illegibility, chills, or fever may appear.
Intoxication with antidepressants and sleeping pills
Poisoning with psychostimulants, antidepressants occurs in several stages. First, a person has an increase in emotional stress, aggression appears. In the second stage, obvious signs of drug poisoning are already observed: nausea, headache, indigestion and vomiting, impaired coordination of movements. With severe intoxication, a decrease in body temperature and blood pressure, delirium, then loss of consciousness, convulsions are observed. All this requires resuscitation assistance. An overdose of antidepressants is considered very dangerous, which can lead to death. With intoxication with sleeping pills, a lethal outcome occurs very quickly. First, a person falls into a coma, breathing is depressed, the pupils first narrow, and then expand, the kidneys are disturbed.
Cannabis Poisoning
Preparations of this group can have both a calming and stimulating effect on the human body. In this case, the symptoms of drug poisoning are an increase in blood pressure, tachycardia, thirst, dilated pupils and a change in mood.
Intoxication with stimulants.
An overdose of stimulants is manifested by convulsions, severe excitement, an increase in temperature and blood pressure, pulse, as well as the appearance of shortness of breath. In severe cases, there is a violation of the activity of the heart, the appearance of blood in the urine, loss of consciousness, then a person can fall into a coma.
Anticholinergic poisoning
Substances that are in this group are considered hazardous. It is customary to distinguish three degrees of severity of poisoning by them. Mild and moderate signs of drug poisoning have the following: dizziness, impaired vision and hearing, drowsiness, drop in heart rate and blood pressure, severe thirst, redness of the skin, nausea, cramps. In severe cases, there is an immersion in sleep or coma, a sharp drop in heart rate and blood pressure, severe abdominal pain appears, the respiratory center becomes paralyzed, the brain is destroyed, and liver activity is disturbed.
Dissociative intoxication
This group of drugs has the following signs of drug poisoning: it is an increase in muscle tone, the appearance of hallucinations, cardiac arrhythmias, disorientation and anxiety, confusion, decreased breathing speed, seizures, polyneuropathy. Often there is pulmonary edema, an increase in eye pressure, salivation appears.
An overdose of antipsychotics and tranquilizers
In this case, a person has tremor, incontinence in the mouth of the tongue, increased salivation, drowsiness. In severe cases, blood pressure and body temperature drop, coma develops or epilepsy attacks, breathing becomes intermittent, the body goes numb, muscles become weak.
First aid for drug poisoning
First of all, you need to call an ambulance crew. In the meantime, the person is laid on his side and the arm that is below is brought forward. The chest must be freed, thereby ensuring the flow of air. If a person has not passed out, they will wash his stomach until the doctors arrive. To do this, use boiled water with the addition of a small amount of salt. Then cause a gag reflex. If a person is drowsy, lethargic or has a confused consciousness, he is allowed to smell ammonia, and in his absence they rub their earlobes with their fingers, tickle their nasal passages with a handkerchief or blade of grass. These actions are aimed at stimulating the respiratory center, which prevents loss of consciousness. If a person does not breathe, artificial respiration and heart massage should be done.
What can not be done?
Everyone should know that you can’t leave the victim alone, because at any time, resuscitation of the heart and lungs may be necessary. Do not give poisoned alcohol and energy drinks. After the arrival of doctors, it is necessary to agree to hospitalization, because the antidotes that were introduced have a short duration, then a coma can occur.
Thus, over the past decades, the number of drug poisoning has increased so much that this phenomenon can be called an epidemic. Treatment of drug addicts is not an easy task, and includes a range of activities, both medical and social. In addition, it is quite expensive and does not always lead to positive results. Therefore, drugs should never be taken.