Does tolerance affect overdose risk?
- By Robert Mauer
- Reviewed by: Dr. Janaka Hanvey, PhD
Yes, tolerance significantly affects overdose risk. Low or reduced tolerance increases vulnerability, meaning smaller amounts can produce dangerous effects.
A particularly high-risk situation occurs after abstinence, when tolerance decreases. Returning to a previously tolerated dose can lead to overdose.
Tolerance can also create a false sense of safety. It may reduce perceived effects but does not eliminate risk, and it can contribute to higher dosing patterns that increase the likelihood of overdose.
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Sources
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA):
https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/addiction-science
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/overdose/prevention/index.html
National Institutes of Health (NIH):
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK27946/
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use