05 Apr A life-saving skill: Be prepared for an opioid overdose with naloxone

If taken differently than prescribed, opioids can cause death by slowing, and eventually stopping, a person’s breathing. However, quick response to an opioid overdose, including administering naloxone and calling for medical assistance, can prevent brain injury and death. As a patient, a healthcare provider, or a member of a community you can ensure that the best information is being shared and understood to prevent overdose deaths. In a hospital setting, healthcare providers order several tests to check for any complications. They may perform other forms of medical care other than naloxone, such as intubation to help with breathing. If first responders suspect an opioid overdose, they’ll administer naloxone, a medication that treats opioid overdose.

1. Naloxone (Narcan) is the main emergency treatment for opioid overdose.
2. Do not leave it up to the person to tell you they are overdosing; they may not know or not be able to communicate it to you.
3. Check out these implementation toolkits that include fact sheets, videos, conversation starters, and other resources that are tailored for specific audiences at different opportunities for prevention.

Opioid use disorder, or opioid addiction, can be deadly and affect people of any race, gender, income level, or socio-economic background. Opioid addiction includes physical and psychological dependence. The powerful effects of addiction can make it very hard to stop, even if someone wants to. Overdoses can be deadly, but there are steps you can take to keep safe. By taking universal safety precautions, all law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS providers can safely administer naloxone for overdose reversal, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

And over 80% of deaths from prescription opioid overdose are accidental. If you think you or someone you may know is experiencing an overdose, the best thing you can do is treat it like an emergency. Afterward, you may experience many complicated emotions about the overdose, how you reacted, and what to do to prevent future overdoses. Know that medical and mental health community support is available, and you don’t need to go through this alone. Opiates and benzodiazepines (heroin, Oxycontin, Valium, Xanax) are all depressants, meaning they significantly slow your breathing and heart rate.

Preventing an overdose

Methadone is a medication used to treat Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Methadone is a long-acting full opioid agonist, and a schedule II controlled medication. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United alcohol hot flashes States. If you know or think someone is struggling with addiction, ask them if you can help. Your concern might be just what they need to start their recovery journey, and your support could make all the difference in their success.

Administer naloxone (Narcan) if you have it available

The severity of a drug overdose depends on the drug, the amount taken, and the physical and medical history of the person who overdosed. An opioid overdose can happen when a person takes too much of an opioid or a combination of opioids and other substances, such as alcohol, sedatives or stimulants. “Too much” varies from person to person depending https://sober-house.org/ on their opioid tolerance and the potency (strength) of the opioid they’re using. An overdose happens when your body is overwhelmed by the amount of toxic substances in your system. These substances can be medications, alcohol, other drugs or a combination of each. After naloxone has been administered, seek immediate emergency help.

Addiction Treatment Levels of Care

Administer the naloxone and then stay with the person until emergency services arrive on the scene, or for at least four hours to monitor if their breathing has gone back to normal. If you or someone you know uses opioids, it’s important to carry naloxone in case of an overdose. If you or a loved one has opioid use disorder, talk to a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

Collect Drug or Pills

Treatment may save a life and can help people struggling with opioid addiction get their lives back on track by allowing them to counteract addiction’s powerful effects on their brain and behavior. The overall goal of treatment is to return people to productive functioning in their family, workplace, and community. The healthcare provider may be able to use an antidote for certain drug overdoses. For example, the drug naloxone can help reverse the effects of a heroin overdose.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of an overdose and what to do if you think you or someone else may be overdosing is life-saving information. Naloxone (Narcan) is the main emergency treatment for opioid overdose. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, which means it attaches to opioid receptors in your body and reverses and blocks the effects of opioids already in your system.

If you know the person, yell their name or try yelling something you know they wouldn’t like, to see if it arouses them. If you don’t know the person, yell and ask if they need help. Your sister is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, and you know she recently needed to increase the amount of pain medications she takes. Find treatment programs in your state that treat addiction and dependence on opioids.