AllRefer Health - Caring for your Well Being  

Home | About | FAQs | Contact Us

AllRefer Channels :: Yellow Pages | Reference | Health  

Injuries & Wounds
Select & Go
 Diet & Nutrition
 Diseases & Conditions 
 Health News
 Injuries & Wounds
 Poisons & Overdoses
 Surgery & Procedures 
 Symptoms Guide
 Special Topics
 Tests & Exams
 Pictures & Images
 Medical Encyclopedia
Google
  Web health.allrefer.com   

You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Injuries & Wounds > Drug Abuse First Aid

Drug Abuse First Aid

Provided by A.D.A.M.

Definition

Overview & Considerations

Causes

Symptoms & Signs

Prevention

First Aid

Do Not

Call Immediately for Emergency Medical Assistance if

Pictures & Images

Go To Main Page

Alternate Names : Overdose from Drugs


Definition

Drug abuse is the misuse or overuse of any medication or drug, including alcohol.

Pictures & Images

Adult CPR Breathing and Pulse Check
Adult CPR Breathing and Pulse Check

 
     See all Pictures & Images
Overview & Considerations

Many street drugs have no therapeutic benefits. Any use of these drugs is a form of drug abuse.

Legitimate medications can be abused by people who take more than the recommended dose or who intentionally take them with alcohol or other drugs.

Drug interactions also produce adverse effects. Therefore, it is important to let your physician know about all the drugs you are taking.

Many drugs are addictive. Sometimes the addiction is gradual, while with others (such as cocaine), an addiction can happen after only a few doses.

Someone who has become addicted to a drug will likely experience withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly stop taking it. Withdrawal is greatly assisted by professional help.

A drug dose that is large enough to be toxic is called an overdose. Prompt medical attention may save the life of someone who accidentally or deliberately takes an overdose.

Drug emergencies are not always easy to identify. If you suspect someone has overdosed, or if you suspect someone is experiencing withdrawal, give first aid and seek medical assistance.



Today's Top News Stories

79 Million Americans Struggle to Pay Medical Bills - Aug 20, 2008, 09:00
New numbers show the problem is getting worse, not better, even for middle class.

Compression Stockings Often Incorrectly Used - Aug 20, 2008, 09:00
29% of patients had problems with size of devices used to prevent deep vein clots, study finds.

Arsenic in Drinking Water Raises Diabetes Risk - Aug 19, 2008, 17:00
Even low levels, like those found in U.S., could boost the odds, study finds.

Obesity Rates Up in 37 States: Report - Aug 19, 2008, 16:00
At least 20% of adults are obese in every state except Colorado.

Cognitive Score Changes Over Time May Hint at Dementia - Aug 19, 2008, 16:00
Study authors stress new method is a complement to current testing.


<

^ Top

>


Jump to another section

Definition
Drug Abuse First Aid: Overview & Considerations
Drug Abuse First Aid: Causes
Drug Abuse First Aid: Symptoms & Signs
Drug Abuse First Aid: Prevention
Drug Abuse First Aid: First Aid
Drug Abuse First Aid: Do Not
Call Immediately for Emergency Medical Assistance if
Pictures & Images

Topics that might be of interest to you

Diseases & Conditions

Paranoid Personality Disorder
Tremor

Tests & Exams

Blood Pressure
Pulse
Toxicology Screen

Other Topics

Abdominal Pain
Agitation
Alcoholism - Resources
Breathing Difficulties - First Aid
Breathing Difficulty
Chemical Dependence - Resources
Consciousness - Decreased
Convulsions
CPR
Depression
Diarrhea
Drowsiness
Drug Abuse
Movement - Uncoordinated
Nausea and Vomiting
Paleness
Poison Control Centers - Emergency Number
Rapid Deep Breathing (Hyperventilation)
Respiratory
Seizures
Shock
Skin - Clammy
Skin Discoloration - Bluish
Stimulants
Sweating - Excessive
Unconsciousness - First Aid
Vital Signs
Walking/Gait Abnormalities
Weakness

Review Date : 2/19/2002
Reviewed By : Todd Severson, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

Main Page of Drug Abuse First Aid






Featured Topics

Alzheimer's Disease

High Blood Pressure

Crohn's Disease

Impotence

Overactive Bladder


ADAM

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial reviewers. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Copyright © 2007 AllRefer.com All Rights reserved.
Health Topics: A-Al Am-Az B C-Cj Ck-Cz D E F G H I J K L M N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sl Sm-Sz T U V W X Y Z 0-9
About Us | Help | Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy | Advertising Policy | Accessibility | Terms of Use
Contact Us | Link to Us | User Satisfaction Survey | Healthopedia.com
Page Last Updated: 20 Aug, 2008