TORONTO– Surviving an opioid overdose may seem like a second chance at life—but for many, it marks the beginning of a new struggle. The Ontario Brain Injury Association (OBIA) is raising alarm about the overlooked consequences of non-fatal overdoses during Brain Injury Awareness Month, launching a campaign to highlight the often-invisible brain injuries that result from oxygen deprivation.
While the opioid crisis has claimed thousands of lives, OBIA points out that the full impact is far broader. For every overdose death, research estimates there are approximately 15 non-fatal overdoses, many of which result in hypoxic or anoxic brain injuries—conditions caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain. These injuries often go undiagnosed and can lead to long-term cognitive and emotional challenges, including memory problems, difficulty concentrating, impulsivity, and impaired mobility.
“We often associate the opioid crisis with tragic loss of life,” said 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.”
From 2016 to 2021, over 27,000 people were hospitalized in Canada for opioid poisoning. While the majority of those cases were non-fatal, OBIA stresses that many patients are released from hospital care without proper screening for brain injury. As a result, symptoms stemming from neurological damage are frequently misunderstood or dismissed, compounding the stigma and barriers to recovery.
“A person may survive, but then struggle with attention, impulsivity, or organizing their thoughts,” Wilcock explained. “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.”
OBIA’s new campaign, titled When Overdose Doesn’t Kill – But Still Harms, aims to close this critical gap in care and awareness. It urges healthcare providers, addiction services, and mental health professionals to recognize the signs of overdose-related brain injuries and to provide trauma-informed, cognitive-supportive care.
The organization is advocating for systemic changes, including routine brain injury screening following a non-fatal overdose and targeted training for frontline workers in hospitals, shelters, and treatment programs. The goal, Wilcock said, is not just to save lives—but to ensure those lives can move forward with proper support.
“We need to start connecting the dots,” she said. “It’s not enough to save a life. We must also support the life that continues after overdose.” (Source: IANS)
