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What factors can increase a person’s risk of a drug overdose?

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drug use The use of psychoactive drugs, such as pain medications or illegal substances, often results in emotional, physical, and social harm.

A drug overdose occurs when a substance is ingested or administered in amounts that exceed recommended levels, leading to toxicity. Several factors can increase a person’s risk of experiencing an overdose:12

Individual Factors: A history of drug use, a substance use disorder, or existing mental health conditions significantly elevate risk. Additionally, individuals experiencing recent changes in drug tolerance or those managing chronic health conditions that require long-term medication use are at higher risk.12
Environmental Factors: Increased risk is associated with access to large quantities of drugs, environments where drug use is normalized, and a lack of education regarding substance safety. Improper storage, such as leaving medications where children can access them, is also a major contributor.12
Drug-Related Factors: Risks are heightened by the use of illegal substances of unknown composition, the specific method of administration, and the dangerous practice of mixing multiple substances.1

It is essential to recognize that drug overdose is a serious public health concern, and prioritizing harm reduction, education, and access to reversal medications like naloxone is vital for saving lives.13