Overdose rarely from a single drug

A Combination of Drugs?

Rarely does a prescription drug overdose occur from taking too much of a single drug alone, although it can happen. The vast majority of drug overdose deaths happen because of a combination of drugs. According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) victims of drug overdoses have an average of 2.7 drugs in their system at the time.

Most prescription drug overdoses happen because the person takes more than one pain medication, or takes pain killers along with tranquilizers or sleeping pills, or drinks alcohol with pain killers, tranquilizers or other depressants.

Many times it's accidental. With pain medications, for example, the person may build up a tolerance to them so that they no longer provide the relief they need. So they begin to take larger doses or more than one kind to try to relieve their pain. The drugs begin to build up in their system with tragic results.

Respiratory Failure Causes Death

Source: http://alcoholism.about.com/b/2009/06/26/investigation-continues-into-the-death-of-michael-jackson.htm?nl=1

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These articles are for informational purposes only. Contact a licenced counselor if you're in crisis.