Etiology of accidental/unexpected overdose in drug-induced deaths.

The life-threatening risk for drug addicts is the accidental/unexpected overdose (in Germany mostly caused by opiates). The problem of drug addiction, which encompasses all aspects of the individual's life, is accompanied by the additional negative reinforcement of the permanent danger of a sudden fatal outcome. The causes for an accidental fatal intoxication originate from the different qualities of heroin, the reduced tolerance of the body and carelessness in consuming drugs. These determinants are influenced by several indirect phenomena, as for example psycho-social, therapeutic, legal and economic problems. Furthermore, we have often observed critical life events shortly before death and/or a latent inclination to suicide.