When Overdose Doesn't Kill – But Still Harms –Ontario Brain Injury Association Raises Alarm

Business Wire

4 days ago

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--When a person survives an opioid overdose, the danger may not be over. In fact, the harm may be just beginning.
When Overdose Doesn't Kill – But Still Harms –Ontario Brain Injury Association Raises Alarm
The Ontario Brain Injury Association (OBIA) is launching a new public awareness campaign during Brain Injury Awareness Month to highlight a little-known consequence of non-fatal overdose: brain injury caused by oxygen deprivation.
'We often associate the opioid crisis with tragic loss of life,' says Ruth Wilcock, Chief Executive Officer of OBIA. 'But what's less visible are the survivors, many of whom are living with brain injuries that can change their lives forever.'
Research suggests that for every one fatality due to overdose, there are approximately 15 nonfatal overdoses¹, many resulting in hypoxic or anoxic brain injuries. These injuries are often invisible and remain undiagnosed, yet they can significantly affect a person's memory, focus, emotional regulation, and mobility.
Between 2016 and 2021, more than 27,000 opioid poisoning hospitalizations occurred in Canada.² The majority were non-fatal, yet the long-term impact on survivors often goes unnoticed. Many are discharged from hospital care without any assessment or follow-up for possible brain injury.
'A person may survive, but then struggle with attention, impulsivity, or organizing their thoughts,' explains Wilcock. 'Without an understanding that these symptoms could be related to brain injury, they may be seen as unmotivated or resistant to treatment, which only adds to the stigma.'
This disconnect is what OBIA's new campaign seeks to address. The crisis is clear – the injury is hidden. Those who survive an overdose often carry forward lasting and invisible brain injuries, frequently undiagnosed, unsupported, and misunderstood.
Through this campaign OBIA is calling for:
Routine screening for brain injury following a non-fatal overdose
Training for workers in healthcare, addictions, shelters and mental health professionals on how to recognize and respond to overdose-related brain injury
Accessible, trauma-informed supports that consider the cognitive impact of oxygen deprivation
'We need to start connecting the dots,' says Wilcock. 'It's not enough to save a life. We must also support the life that continues after overdose.'
About Ontario Brain Injury Association
The Ontario Brain Injury Association (OBIA) is a charitable organization supporting individuals living with acquired brain injury (ABI). OBIA offers education, advocacy, peer support, and professional training. It also connects individuals to local brain injury associations and resources across Ontario. Learn more at www.obia.ca.
References:
1. Casillas, S. M., Pickens, C. M., Tanz, L. J., & Vivolo-Kantor, A. M. (2024). Estimating the ratio of fatal to non-fatal overdoses involving all drugs, all opioids, synthetic opioids, heroin or stimulants, USA, 2010-2020. Injury prevention : Journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention, 30 (2), 114–124. https://doi.org/10.1136/ip-2023-045091
2. Public Health Agency of Canada (2022). Opioid and Stimulant-related Harms in Canada: Hospitalization Trends (January 2016–June 2021). https://health-infobase.canada.ca/substance-related-harms/opioids-stimulants/
Brain Injury Canada (n.d.). Opioid Overdose and Brain Injury.