Drug abuse can cause significant emotional, physical, and behavioral changes. Different drugs cause different symptoms and behaviors. One symptom of illicit drug use is a behavior called “nodding off.”
Nodding off is a sign of potentially life-threatening drug addiction. If you notice this behavior, it is a sign that someone requires the life-saving support of an addiction treatment program.
This article will detail what “nodding off” means and what it can indicate about a person’s substance use. You will learn:
- What nodding off means
- What substances may cause someone to nod off
- The risks of nodding off
- Where to find comprehensive addiction treatment programs
If you or someone you love struggles with drug addiction, you are not alone. Reach out to The Best Treatment specialists to learn about our high-quality treatment and support programs.
What is “Nodding Off”?
Nodding off is a term that describes going in and out of consciousness while using drugs. This behavior is most common among people who use drugs that decrease central nervous system (CNS) activity, such as heroin or prescription opioids.[1]
People may nod off while standing up or while speaking. While nodding off, they may become silent, mumble, or attempt to speak. They may wake up if someone touches or speaks to them, but they are likely to quickly lose consciousness again.
Nodding off is different from falling asleep or “dozing off” because of sleepiness or boredom. It is a partial loss of consciousness as a result of drug use. Nodding off is an indication that a person is struggling with substance abuse and requires treatment.
What Drugs Might Cause Someone to Nod Off?
Any drug that causes extreme drowsiness may cause someone to nod off. Here are some of the CNS depressants most likely to cause nodding off.
Opioids
One of the most common drugs that can cause nodding off is opioids. Commonly abused prescription opioids include:
- Morphine
- Oxycodone
- Fentanyl
- Oxymorphone
- Codeine
- Hydromorphone
- Meperidine
- Methadone
Heroin is a commonly abused illicit opioid that can cause temporary loss of consciousness. Movies and TV shows commonly portray characters nodding off on heroin. Many people may be most likely to associate heroin with this dangerous behavior.
Nodding off can be a sign of opioid addiction. Opioids are responsible for more drug overdose deaths than any other substance in the United States.[2] Opioid abuse is a severe problem, and people living with it require significant treatment to recover.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are a type of prescription sedative drug used to treat a range of conditions, including:
- Insomnia and sleep disorders
- Alcohol withdrawal
- Anxiety disorders
- Panic disorder
Common benzos include:
- Valium
- Xanax
- Ativan
Benzodiazepines reduce central nervous system (CNS) activity. Users experience sedation and calm. People may struggle to stay awake or nod off while using them, especially in high doses.[3]
Alcohol
Alcohol depresses CNS activity and can cause sedation. People who drink a large amount of alcohol may temporarily lose consciousness or struggle to remain awake.
Barbiturates
Barbiturates are highly addictive prescription drugs. Commonly abused barbiturates include:
- Phenobarbital
- Secobarbital
- Amobarbital
- Pentobarbital
These medications reduce CNS activity and can lead to excessive sedation and temporary loss of consciousness.
What are the Risks of Nodding Off?
Any unexpected loss of consciousness can be hazardous. Nodding off puts people at high risk for immediate harm from accidents and other causes.
Here are some of the most significant dangers of nodding off.
Depressed breathing
Temporarily losing consciousness can cause significant health problems, including respiratory suppression. Sedative drugs that depress CNS activity can cause a person’s breathing to become shallow or slow. Depressed breathing can result in low oxygen levels, which can cause brain damage, coma, or death.[4]
Accidents
Nodding off may occur in dangerous places or situations. People may nod off while driving, walking, or performing other complex behaviors. They may also fall, cause a car accident, cut or burn themselves, or sustain injuries in other ways.[5]
Temporary loss of consciousness puts the person and others at risk. Many of the drugs associated with excessive sedation may also impair judgment, putting users at higher risk of accidents or being the victim of a crime.
Overdose
People who slip in and out of consciousness may be unable to keep track of how much of a substance they are using. They may drink more or use higher doses of drugs than intended. This puts people at risk of a lethal overdose.
Recognizing an Overdose
Nodding off can be a sign of an overdose. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), using opioids and other depressants increases the risk of an overdose. Recognizing an overdose and taking action is essential to saving someone’s life.
Signs of an opioid overdose include:[5]
- Slow heart rate
- Limp body
- Pale skin
- Vomiting
- Slow, shallow breathing
- Blue lips or fingernails
- Unresponsiveness
If someone near you is exhibiting signs of an overdose, call 911 right away. Stay with the person until help arrives. Give the person Narcan (naloxone) if you have it.
Get Help Now
If you or someone you love struggles with opioid abuse or other substance use disorder (SUD), you are not alone. Contact the caring specialists at The Best Treatment to explore our holistic treatment and support programs. Schedule an intake, verify your insurance, or ask questions by contacting us now.
References:
- The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Depressants
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Drug Overdose Death Rates
- National Institute of Health (NIH): Benzodiazepine use, misuse, and abuse: A review
- National Institute of Health (NIH): New Perspectives in the Treatment of Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression
- JAMA Network: Use of Prescription Opioids and Initiation of Fatal 2-Vehicle Crashes
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Opioid Overdose
