What can untreated opioid poisoning lead to?

Untreated opioid poisoning is a critical situation that can compromise a person’s respiratory system and cardiovascular health. Opioids can depress the central nervous system, leading to slowed or ineffective breathing. In severe cases, this respiratory depression can progress to respiratory arrest, where breathing stops entirely. Additionally, the heart may also be affected, leading to cardiac arrest. When both respiratory and cardiac systems fail, this can result in death if not promptly addressed.

While other symptoms like severe headaches, increased heart rate, confusion, and anxiety can occur with various medical conditions or opioid use, they are not the direct and most life-threatening consequences of opioid poisoning. The immediate risk in cases of opioid overdose is the failure of the respiratory and cardiac systems, which necessitates urgent medical intervention to restore proper function and prevent fatal outcomes.