Prescription opioids are involved in about 25% of all opioid overdose deaths. Nonprescription opioids account for about 75% of opioid overdose deaths. 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 on their opioid tolerance and the potency (strength) of the opioid they’re using. Naloxone nasal spray is now available in more than 2,000 pharmacies across New York State.

1. If you don’t have naloxone available or after you’ve given someone their first dose of naloxone, you should support their breathing until they start breathing on their own or until emergency services arrive.
2. People who make heroin often add nonmedical fentanyl to it to increase its potency (strength).
3. Opioid use disorder is a medical condition — it requires care just like any other condition.
4. It is always better to err on the side of caution in the event of a possible overdose.

How common are opioid overdoses?

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. 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. 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.

What should I do if I think someone is experiencing an opioid overdose?

A person can also overdose within that timeframe if they have a substance abuse games for groups substantially large amount of opioids in their system. That’s why it’s important to get help from emergency services and make sure they’re not alone even if they respond well to the first dose of naloxone. 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. Naloxone can restore normal breathing within two to five minutes to a person who’s experiencing an opioid overdose. The symptoms of an overdose can vary widely depending on which substance, or substances, someone used.

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If you’re unsure of the protections, it’s always good to check with your local and state government long before a crisis happens. For people outside the U.S., laws related to overdoses vary. An overdose occurs when your body cannot handle the amount of foreign substances in your body.

What to Do if You Think Someone is Overdosing

Although signs and symptoms vary depending on the type of drug abused and the person’s tolerance, it’s best to choose caution over discernment. If first responders suspect an opioid overdose, they’ll administer naloxone, a medication that treats opioid overdose. If the person’s symptoms improve with naloxone, it means they’ve experienced an opioid overdose.

Fentanyl is an opioid that’s 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. People who make heroin often add nonmedical fentanyl to it to increase its potency (strength). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved naloxone nasal spray (Narcan) as an over-the-counter medicine. You can get naloxone for free through discrete harm reduction programs like NEXT Distro or from a healthcare provider or pharmacy.

For more information on finding rehab programs that meet your requirements, contact American Addiction Centers (AAC) for free at . You can also check your insurance coverage online now to determine whether your health insurance provider will cover rehabilitation. The Good Samaritan Laws provide limited immunity for minor drug violations, drug paraphernalia and being under the influence at the time of the medical emergency. Without the threat of legal retribution, drug users are more likely to step in and call 911 to request assistance.

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. An opioid overdose happens when opioid use causes respiratory depression, which liberty cap lookalikes poisonous can lead to respiratory failure and death.

Obtaining fentanyl test strips, via the order request form, or request test strips from a local overdose prevention provider. If you find a loved one has overdosed, or even a complete stranger, knowing how to react could mean the difference between life and death. If you think someone you love may be using or misusing opioids, talk to your loved one about the dangers of opioids and try to connect mesclun psychedelic them to medical resources. If you believe someone is suffering from alcohol poisoning or stimulant overdose, call 911 immediately. Let’s take a look at the steps you should take when someone has overdosed.