Home > Non-fatal overdoses and drug-related emergencies.

Nelson, Mairea and Mongan, Deirdre (2010) Non-fatal overdoses and drug-related emergencies. Drugnet Ireland, Issue 34, Summer 2010, pp. 5-6.

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Data extracted from the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry (HIPE) scheme were analysed to determine trends in non-fatal overdoses discharged from Irish hospitals in 2008. There were 4,815 overdose cases in that year, of which 43 died in hospital. The 4,772 discharged cases are included in this analysis. The number of overdose cases decreased by 2.9% between 2007 and 2008 (Figure 1).

Characteristics of cases

        

Age group
In the four-year period, one quarter of overdoses occurred in those aged 15–24 years, with the incidence of overdose decreasing with age (Figure 3). This pattern was similar for each of the years reported.

  

Area of residence
In 2008, 26 overdose cases were resident outside of Ireland and 10 cases were recorded as having no fixed abode; these 36 cases were excluded from this analysis. Figure 4 shows the area of residence of cases with an Irish address for the years 2005–2008. One fifth of cases in 2008 were resident in Dublin                                        

 

Drugs involved

Table 1 presents the positive findings per category of drugs and other substances involved in all cases of overdose in 2008. Non-opioid analgesics were present in 34.8% (1,660) of cases. Paracetamol is included in this drug category and was present in 25% (1,198) of cases. Psychotropic agents were taken in 21.5% (1,025) and benzodiazepines in 20.8% (993) of cases. There was evidence of alcohol consumption in 14.0% (669) of cases. Cases involving alcohol are included in this analysis only when the alcohol was used in conjunction with another substance.

                                  

Overdoses involving narcotics or hallucinogens
Narcotic or hallucinogenic drugs were involved in 12.6% (599) of overdose cases in 2008. Figure 5 shows the number of positive findings of drugs in this category among the 599 cases. The sum of positive findings is greater than the total number of cases because some cases involved more than one drug from this category. Opiates were used in half of the cases, cocaine in one fifth and cannabis in 7%.

Table 2 presents the positive findings per category of drugs and other substances involved in cases of intentional overdose in 2008. Non-opioid analgesics were involved in 43% (1,346) of cases, psychotropic agents in 26% (806) and benzodiazepines in 25% (772).

 

Gender
In the years 2005–2008 there were more overdose cases among females than among males (Figure 2), with females accounting for 55% of all overdose cases in 2008.
Item Type
Article
Publication Type
Irish-related, Open Access, Article
Drug Type
All substances
Issue Title
Issue 34, Summer 2010
Date
2010
Page Range
pp. 5-6
Publisher
Health Research Board
Volume
Issue 34, Summer 2010
EndNote
Accession Number
HRB (Available)

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