What is an Opioid Overdose?

What you need to know

An overdose occurs when a person uses more of a drug, or a combination of drugs, than the body can handle. As a consequence, the brain is not able to control basic life functions. The person may become unconscious, stop breathing, have heart failure or experience seizures.

• • There is no exact formula to determine how much of a certain drug or combination of drugs, will lead to an overdose.
  • An individual’s physical characteristics play a role in overdose risk, including weight, health, drug tolerance, drug potency, route of administration, and frequency/amount of use.

Opioid Overdose Signs & Symptoms Tool