Drug Overdose (Opioids, Stimulants, Benzodiazepines, and Muscle Relaxants)

About this Reportable Disease

Infectious agent: N/A

Description of condition: Acute toxicity to a substance (opioids, stimulants, benzodiazepines, or muscle relaxants), prescription or illicit, at a scale that overwhelms normal physiological functioning and requires immediate medical intervention.

Overdose symptomology is largely dependent on the substance(s) but generally could include psychosis, coma, respiratory depression, seizures, and/or hallucinations. Most overdoses involve multiple drugs (polydrug).

Drug overdoses are reportable regardless of intent.  Intent refers to attempted suicide, homicide (intentional), or an accidental overdose (unintentional).