Heroin Overdose: Methadone & Heroin Facts

Question: What are the chances of someone surviving a heroin overdose?

(Posted by: loni_831 on 2009-09-03 00:07:39)

I love you anthong

Posted by: Anthony on 2009-09-03, 00:14:29

......Why don't you try?

Posted by: Draquoir on 2009-09-03, 00:22:14

Depends on how much tolerance for the drug the user has.

Posted by: Unassuming1 on 2009-09-03, 00:45:52

Depends on the type of heroine, it's potency, the amount taken, the health condition of the user, and what, if any, resucitative measures were taken..

Posted by: Tsu on 2009-09-04, 16:37:46

Relatively high. Most people who OD on heroin survive...for two reasons. 1# The first and most notable reason most heroin ODs survive is because the body is able to cope with mild ODs. Of course it depends how much heroin you use, the potency and the user's tolerance, but most junkies will tell you...the most sought after 'high' from gear is a mild OD, that ledge just between not enough and too much. I'm a junkie, albeit in recovery now, and I ODed too many times to count and 99% of the time did not even require medical assistance. As well, the more experienced the user the more likely it is that they wil be able to judge whether they've pinned too much. The problem is they may realise too late to remain conscious or they may resist seeking help because the heroin removes fear and dampens that danger sensor that is flashing 'You've over done it'. I ODed a few times and distinctly remember realising 'shit, I shouldn't have pinned all that', but I still haven't tried to keep my eyes open, told anyone or tried to get up....simply because at that moment I didn't care, I couldn't be arsed. Its hard to explain to someone who doesn't use. 2# The second reason most ODs don't result in death is more geographical and often down to chance. In England, if you OD on gear as long as you get to a hospital you're likely to survive because there are drugs are hospitals which can sort of 'flush' the heroin out, that is drugs which can counter the effect of the heroin, block receptors and revive unconscious users. Too much of these drugs will send a junkie straight into withdrawals. The right dosage should bring a user round. The chance element often comes into play when a user pins too much and is alone. If no one is there to seek help for the user or to call an ambulance then the situation understandably becomes more dangerous. I've had friends die this way...OD and no one has found them soon enough. I also knew someone who ODed and though they weren't alone the only other person with them was also too gouged ('high') to notice. THey both lost consciousness...hours later one woke up to find the other dead beside them. OD is an occupational hazard to a junkie. Like I said, I ODed numerous times. I don't know one junkie who hasn't ODed and most of them are sill alive now...*most* of them, but not *all* of them. That's one of the risks you take when you piss about with pins and gear. Its far harder to OD smoking it, but not impossible...the first time I smoke gear I ODed...and I still did it again and then started pinning it.