Many of us are prone to “either/or” thinking that affects our risk perception. For example, we often talk about drug overdoses in a way that assumes a person either suffers a fatal overdose or recovers with no lasting long-term effects. This couldn’t be further from the truth, as drug overdoses can lead to permanent brain damage that seriously limits a person’s ability to engage in everyday activities. 

How a Drug Overdose Can Cause Brain Damage

Drug overdoses can cause brain damage because they limit the normal flow of oxygen to the brain. Hypoxic brain damage can happen when a drug overdose causes an inadequate supply of oxygen to the brain. Anoxic brain damage occurs when the flow of oxygen stops altogether. 

Hypoxic brain damage or anoxic brain damage related to a drug overdose is sometimes referred to as a toxic brain injury.

The symptoms a person will experience after an overdose will depend on how long the brain was deprived of oxygen and what parts of the brain were affected. Damage to the frontal lobe, the part of the brain that is responsible for movement, language, and cognitive functioning, is most common during a drug overdose. 

Some possible symptoms of brain damage from a drug overdose include:

• Vision impairment 
• Hearing impairment
• Speech and language difficulties
• Struggling to regulate emotions
• Troubles with balance and coordination
• Memory loss
• Difficulty with thinking and problem solving
• Delayed reactions to stimuli such as touch or sound
• Hallucinations
• Seizures

Suffering more than one overdose can compound the negative effects on the brain, just as a person is likely to suffer more severe consequences if they have had more than one heart attack or stroke. 

When a person overdoses, prompt treatment is essential. The longer the normal flow of oxygen to the brain is disrupted, the greater the risk becomes that that person will suffer permanent brain damage. Even three to five minutes without enough oxygen can cause permanent damage in a person who has experienced a drug overdose. 

A person with permanent brain damage may need to see an occupational therapist to learn compensatory techniques or how to use assistive devices to perform the tasks of daily living. However, if the brain damage is severe, a person may no longer be able to live independently. 

Demi Lovato’s Story Illustrates That an Overdose Can Have Lasting Effects

If you are looking for a real-world example of the lasting consequences of a drug overdose, Demi Lovato’s story serves as a cautionary tale. 

Lovato, who identifies as non-binary, has long been open about their struggles with addiction, eating disorders, self-harm, and mental health issues. The documentary “Demi Lovato: Dancing With the Devil” discusses the singer’s experience with a near-fatal overdose in 2018. They suffered a heart attack and three strokes after overdosing on opioids laced with fentanyl. 

Lovato’s overdose came just one month after they released the single “Sober” in which they revealed a relapse after six years of sobriety. Doctors at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles said emergency services personnel arrived in the nick of time. Without naloxone, Lovato would have been dead in five to ten minutes. After two weeks in the hospital, Lovato entered an inpatient rehab facility. 

Although doctors saved Lovato’s life, the overdose was not without consequences. Today, Lovato doesn’t drive because there are blind spots in their vision. They also struggled to read for a period of time after leaving the hospital. 

After their drug overdose, Lovato told fans they were “California Sober”—an approach that means a person drinks alcohol and smokes weed in moderation while avoiding other addictive substances. However, they eventually came to the conclusion that this approach was too risky and continued to have long-term negative effects on their mental and physical well-being. “Sober sober is the only way to be,” they said. 

The Benefits of a Proactive Approach to Addiction Treatment

For many people, an overdose serves as a “rock bottom” movement that pushes them towards seeking addiction treatment. However, there is no need to wait until you’ve seriously damaged your health to get the help you need to live a life free from the burden of addiction. 

Substance use disorders are chronic, progressive illnesses. Just as you wouldn’t tell a person with diabetes that they should wait until their blood sugar is a little higher to seek medical care, you’ll have more options for addressing your substance abuse issues if you take a proactive approach. 

As you’re choosing a treatment program to start your recovery journey, it’s important to look for a facility that will do the following:

• Perform a detailed assessment of your needs
• Take an evidence-based approach to treatment
• Address the underlying causes of addiction
• Offer relapse prevention and aftercare services

St. Joseph Institute for Addiction, located on a beautiful mountainside in central Pennsylvania near State College and Altoona, is a member of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers and provides a full continuum of care for men and women with substance use disorders. This includes offering treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions. Contact us today to learn more about how our residential drug and alcohol addiction treatment facility can help you or your loved one take the first steps toward a brighter future.