What often leads to drug overdoses in regular users?

The phenomenon of drug overdoses, particularly among regular users, is often attributed to the use of a new drug at a high dose. When individuals who are accustomed to a certain drug or dose encounter a new substance—whether it is a different type of opioid, stimulant, or depressant—they may underestimate the effects due to unfamiliarity with the drug’s potency and action.

New drugs can vary significantly in strength and may have unexpected pharmacological effects on the body. This unpredictability is especially dangerous when a person takes a high dose right away, as they may not have developed any tolerance to the new substance. The body may respond more dramatically than expected, leading to potentially life-threatening effects like respiratory depression, loss of consciousness, or acute toxicity, resulting in overdose.

In contrast, taking a regular dose of a familiar drug in a well-known environment or using the drug with high tolerance usually does not lead to overdoses because the user's body is familiar with how to metabolize the drug and can manage its effects. Taking supplements with a drug might pose risks, but it does not correlate as directly with overdose as the introduction of a new and potent substance at a high dose does.