The stereotypical signs of a heroin overdose are of a rail thin homeless person in layers of shabby clothing out in the street. But heroin overdoses can happen to people of all ages, religions and income levels. Even emergency medical workers in the best private hospitals routinely see signs of heroin overdosing.
Heroin (also known as “horse”, “smack”, “gear” or “skag”) is a popular for many reasons. It’s cheap; it leaves the body’s system in three days (important for all of those drug tests) and makes even the coldest transient feel warm and at home. But inevitably, heroin kills its users, some more quickly than others.
One of the most common causes of death from heroin is from a heroin overdose. Homeless people know never to use alone and will do so in pairs or groups in order to prevent overdose deaths.
Shallow Breathing
Heroin relaxes the body but in an overdose it relaxes the respiratory system too much. The victim either is breathing very shallowly or has stopped breathing altogether. After a few minutes of oxygen deprivation, the gums and skin will start to turn blue or become chalk-white. The lips will be bluish and the fingertips many take on the same color, too.
Someone in a heroin overdose will not respond to a slap in the face or being shaken. Don’t dump water on the face because the addict could drown in even a small puddle. Pull open the eyes and see if the pupils are very tiny. These are called “pinpoint” pupils because the iris has contracted to such a narrow extent.
Wounds
Heroin does not have to be taken intravenously. It may first be snorted or smoked but after repeated use, the effects dim. Eventually, all heroin users will begin injecting the drug into their veins or “shoot up” in order to get a hit. When one vein gets too tired of needles, the addict must find other veins in the body.
Although some heroin addicts will pass out with the needle in their veins, this does not always happen. When coming across an unconscious person, you need to quickly check them to see why they are unconscious. If you roll up their sleeves or pant legs and see many needle marks, scars, small open lesions or even wide open lesions, then this could be the sign of a heroin overdose. These same wounds may appear on the neck, abdomen or wrists where the veins are most prominent.
Other Signs
The pulse and heartbeat will be practically non-existent. By the time you hear two heartbeats, it may be too late. Call an ambulance immediately.
Open the mouth and touch the tongue. Not only will the tongue be bluish, but will usually feel dry.
If the person has all or some of these signs as is twitching or even going into seizures, it still could be a heroin overdose. Contact an ambulance immediately.
Reference:
- www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002861.htm
- www.helium.com/items/1423972-heroin-slang
- health.nytimes.com/health/guides/poison/heroin-overdose/overview.html
