Most poisonings are accidental, but a substantial number are the result of suicide attempts.
Although the widespread use of child-proof tops for drug containers sold in this country has reduced poisonings dramatically, children remain the most frequent poisoning victims. The aged are the second most commonly affected group. Failing eyesight, the use of multiple drugs, and confusion or difficulty in remembering whether a medication was taken are among the causes of accidental poisoning in older people. Other sources of poisonings are drug overdoses among drug abusers increasingly common incidents, affecting all classes and age groups. Mixing drugs and alcohol or the unwitting use of drugs that interact with each other are yet other sources of accidental poisonings.