Gold, Mark S (2026) Heat makes emergencies more common and overdose more deadly. Psychology Today,
External website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ie/blog/addiction-...
New evidence that heat may increase deaths from drug use and some medications.
Key points:
- The weather is an overlooked contributor increasing overdose deaths.
- Extreme heat amplifies risks from opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine, alcohol, and some prescribed medications.
- Simple measures like hydration, cooling, and Narcan access may save lives in extreme heat
Item Type
Article
Publication Type
International, Open Access, Article
Drug Type
Alcohol, CNS stimulants, Cocaine, Opioid, Prescription/Over the counter
Intervention Type
Harm reduction
Date
3 July 2026
Publisher
Sussex Publishers
EndNote
Related (external) link
Subjects
B Substances > Alcohol
B Substances > CNS stimulants
B Substances > Cocaine
B Substances > Opioids (opiates)
E Concepts in biomedical areas > Medical substance > Prescription drug (medicine / medication)
G Health and disease > State of health > Physical health
G Health and disease > Substance use disorder (addiction) > Drug use disorder > Drug intoxication > Poisoning (overdose)
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Harm reduction > Substance use harm reduction
VA Geographic area > International
B Substances > CNS stimulants
B Substances > Cocaine
B Substances > Opioids (opiates)
E Concepts in biomedical areas > Medical substance > Prescription drug (medicine / medication)
G Health and disease > State of health > Physical health
G Health and disease > Substance use disorder (addiction) > Drug use disorder > Drug intoxication > Poisoning (overdose)
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Harm reduction > Substance use harm reduction
VA Geographic area > International
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