The appearance of one or more of these symptoms means that the person is in serious trouble. When you notice any of these symptoms, it’s imperative to get help right away. The person’s life depends on your ability to act quickly. By calling the helpline you agree to the terms of use.

If you have children in the house, make sure that all medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, are kept well out of reach. The best methods remove opportunities for accidental overdose or triggers for intentional overdose in the first place. Pinch the person’s nose closed and cover their mouth with yours.

Witnessing an overdose can be a harrowing experience, but knowing how to respond effectively can save lives. Once the immediate danger has passed, the journey to recovery must begin. The Stop Overdose website educates drug users on fentanyl, naloxone, polysubstance use, and dealing with stigma. It may be hard to tell whether a person is high or experiencing an overdose. If you aren’t sure, treat it like an overdose—you could save a life.

Administer Naloxone

Intervening during an overdose is crucial, but it is equally important to address the underlying addiction that led to the overdose. Comprehensive treatment for substance abuse offers numerous benefits that can help prevent future overdoses and promote long-term recovery. In other words, the more alcohol in your system, the harder the body works to get rid of it to prevent alcohol poisoning. Alcohol is metabolized by the liver, whose main job is to detoxify chemicals and metabolize drugs. If you have consumed food before drinking, this will reduce the absorption of the alcohol and prevent overdosing on alcohol and other harmful effects. During a drug overdose, providing first aid before the ambulance gets to the scene could make a life-or-death difference.

Fentanyl Overdose

Illegal fentanyl is often mixed into street drugs like heroin, cocaine, and meth. Or it may be added to fake pills made to look like prescription medicines. There are free ways to dispose of old medications so you’re preventing substance use and protecting the environment. If you use prescription drugs, be sure to use them only as directed by your doctor. Do not combine any medications without first asking your doctor if it’s safe.

We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. Witnessing an overdose can be frightening, but staying calm and acting quickly can save your loved one’s life. Naloxone/NARCAN® immediately reverses the effects of an overdose. There’s an injectable form or more commonly, a nasal spray. It’s easy to use and available without a prescription.

Drug Overdose

If you’d like to learn more about helping drug addicts, check out our in-depth interview with Catherine Boswell, PhD.

• If the person improves, place them on their stomach with their face and head turned to the side.
• Intervening during an overdose is crucial, but it is equally important to address the underlying addiction that led to the overdose.
• You’ll need to watch a 4-minute training video, answer a short quiz, and provide information to receive naloxone.

Blow 2 regular breaths, then repeat with 1 breath every 5 seconds. Put the nozzle tip in either nostril until your fingers touch the bottom of the person’s nose. Rub your knuckles firmly up and down the middle of the person’s chest. These are the signs of someone with a substance use disorder. Ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day next month, here is our guide on what to do if you think someone has overdosed.

Steps to take

Naloxone has a shorter working how to help someone that has overdosed period than the original opioid that was taken, so it is still possible for the person to overdose again once the Naloxone has worn off. An overdose occurs when someone has more of a drug/drugs in their system than their body can cope with. All drugs, whether prescribed by a doctor, legal or illegal, can cause an overdose. Addiction is a complex condition that affects individuals and their families profoundly, both emotionally and physically.

Contact us to learn more about how we can help you today. You should seek medical help immediately if you have these symptoms or witness them in someone else and suspect they may have overdosed. The most obvious way to tell if these symptoms indicate overdose is if you know you have taken drugs or have seen someone else take drugs.

Illegal fentanyl has added to the rise in overdose deaths in the U.S. Drug addiction is a vicious cycle that takes a toll on everyone involved. Not only is the addict taken down by the addiction, but also family members and friends. They are constantly worried about the addict and worried about an overdose. If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction just know that help is available.

While it may seem like an agonizingly long wait for emergency personnel to arrive on the scene, they will likely arrive quickly and will take over. It is important to stay with the person until help arrives. If you misuse drugs, quitting is the best way for you to prevent a drug overdose. Know that certain ways of taking drugs can be riskier than others. Inhaling or injecting drugs may cause them to get to your brain more quickly and also increases your chance of using an amount that can severely harm you.

How to Help Someone Who Has Overdosed on Alcohol

Families should have the life-saving medication on hand if they know someone struggling with opioid use disorder. It’s often added to other drugs because it’s so potent. Stigmas often prevent individuals from getting the help they need.

• Our individualized treatment plans, expert staff, and holistic approach provide the support needed for lasting recovery.
• We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses.
• Problem or binge drinking that worsens is known as alcohol use disorder (AUD).
• Treatment can be outpatient and/or inpatient and may include special programs, CBT, support groups, therapy, family groups, and alternative approaches (yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, etc.).

Ideally, it should be given within two to three minutes of the person overdosing. Two of the potential risks to be aware of are addiction and overdose. Overdoses can happen rapidly and be fatal, so it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the warning signs and know how to respond. An overdose occurs when an individual consumes a toxic amount of a substance, overwhelming their body. The potency and the possibility of mixing these substances can exacerbate the risk, leading to life-threatening situations.

Alcohol Overdose Treatment

You’re not protected if you witness the emergency and do not help the person. Law enforcement can also conduct investigations and gather evidence as it does not apply to drug felonies or other crimes not listed. The goal is to help someone experiencing an emergency overdose. If you witness a medical emergency caused by an overdose, call immediately. You’ll need to watch a 4-minute training video, answer a short quiz, and provide information to receive naloxone. If you don’t want the information texted to you through MDHope, there are other ways to find the closest naloxone provider in your area.