The are two main reasons people overdose.
• Accidental – a person takes the wrong substance (a drug
or medication) or the wrong combination, in the wrong
amount or at the wrong time, not knowing that it could
cause them harm.
• Intentional misuse – a person takes an overdose to get ‘high’
or to cause deliberate harm. Any deliberate harm may be a cry
for help or a suicide attempt. Intentional misuse of drugs may
indicate a serious mental health problem and help should be
sought even if the overdose has not caused you harm