Drug poisoning:
- Reassure them.
- Call 999.
- Find out what they’ve taken.
- Do not try to make them vomit. If they do vomit, keep any vomit in a bag.
- Monitor the casualty and prepare to give CPR.
Poisons are chemicals or substances that if taken or absorbed into the body in sufficient quantities can cause temporary or permanent damage. The effects will be different depending on the type, quantity and combination of drug taken, as well as how the person has taken it, such as swallowing, inhaling or injecting.
Signs and symptoms
If someone has been poisoned by anaesthetic like ketamine, they may have:
- hallucinations
- shallow breathing
- drowsiness
If someone has been poisoned by narcotics like codeine, morphine, heroin and marijuana, they may have:
- small pupils
- sluggishness
- confusion
- slow, shallow breathing which may stop altogether
- nausea and vomiting
- headaches
- needle marks which may be infected
- unresponsiveness
If someone has been poisoned by nervous system depressants and tranquilisers, including alcohol and sedatives, they may have:
- shallow breathing
- weak, irregular, or abnormally slow or fast pulse (palpitations)
- lethargy and sleepiness, leading to unresponsiveness
If someone has been poisoned by aspirin, they may have:
- ringing in the ears
- ‘sighing’ when breathing
- upper abdominal pain / cramping, nausea and vomiting
- dizziness
If someone has been poisoned by paracetamol, they may have:
- little effect at first
- abdominal pain / cramping, nausea and vomiting
- irreversible liver damage
If someone has been poisoned by solvents like glue or lighter fuel, they may have:
- hallucinations
- unresponsiveness
- (rarely), a cardiac arrest
If someone has been poisoned by stimulants and hallucinogens like ecstasy, LSD, amphetamines and cocain, they may have:
- excitable, hyperactive behaviour
- sweating
- tremor of hands
- facial grimacing and gurning
- hallucinations, for example, claiming to hear voices or see things which aren't there
- dilated pupils
- increased appetite as the effects of the substance start to ease
What to do
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If the person is responsive, help them into a comfortable position and ask them what they’ve taken.
- Try to reassure them.
If you are in a noisy environment and they appear confused, try to move the paitent to a quiet space.
If they are they are still feeling unwell and / or anxious after taking the drugs:
- Keep calm.
- Reassure them the effects wiill pass.
- Encourage them to breathe slowly if they are feeling anxious.
- Stay with the patient.
-
Call 999 or 112 for emergency medical help. Tell them that you suspect drug poisoning.
- Keep checking their breathing, pulse, and level of response.
- Do not try to make them vomit. If they do vomit, then put some of this into a bag or container and give it to the healthcare professionals. This may help them identify the drug or substance.
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If they become unresponsive, open their airway, check their breathing, and prepare to treat someone who’s become unresponsive.
Primary survey
Use the primary survey to quickly assess the situation and check the casualty for injuries or conditions that could be immediately life threatening. Find out what to do.
