What does overdose refer to in terms of substance use?

Overdose refers to the ingestion of more of a drug than the body can successfully process at one time. This definition captures the critical aspect of overdose, which involves a quantity that exceeds the body's ability to metabolize or manage it, leading to harmful or potentially life-threatening effects.

When an individual consumes a substance and exceeds the recommended or safe dosage, it can overwhelm the body's systems, leading to toxicity and adverse reactions. This can manifest in various ways depending on the substance, including respiratory failure, unconsciousness, or even death.

In contrast, the notion of the totality of all drugs consumed over a period does not directly address the immediate danger posed by consuming too much of a specific drug at once. Similarly, methods aimed at enhancing the effects of drugs do not define overdose but rather discuss intentional uses or manipulations of drug consumption. Finally, taking drugs in a safe and controlled manner is fundamentally at odds with the concept of overdose, as it implies adherence to safety guidelines, which is not the case in an overdose scenario.