The opioid crisis and the rise in drug overdose deaths are an ongoing significant public health concern worldwide. With proper education and immediate action, many overdose incidents and fatalities can be prevented and lives saved. Understanding the steps to take when responding to a drug overdose is critical for families, healthcare providers, and communities.
How to Respond to a Drug Overdose
In 2022, approximately 108,000 people died from a drug-related overdose, which is nearly 296 overdoses each day. According to the CDC, almost 65% of these overdose fatalities had an opportunity to provide care before the drug overdose became life-threatening.
Whether you’re someone who uses drugs, a concerned loved one, or a healthcare provider, knowing how to respond and take action during a drug overdose could be the difference between life and death.
1. Recognize the Signs of an Overdose
Recognizing drug overdose signs is crucial for immediate and effective intervention. Drug overdose symptoms vary depending on the drug involved but most commonly include:
- Slowed or stopped breathing
- Extremely pale or clammy skin
- Fingernails or lips are bluish-purple
- Loss of coordination
- Irregular heartbeat
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Hyperthermia
- Unresponsiveness or unconsciousness
Overdose symptoms may display differently depending on the type of drugs used, how much, and the individual’s health status. The most common drugs with a high overdose potential are:
- Opioids: fentanyl, heroin, hydrocodone, oxycodone, methadone, and morphine
- Benzodiazepines: alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium)
- Stimulants: cocaine and methamphetamine
Each of these drugs can produce distinct effects, health risks, and overdose symptoms.
2. Call Emergency Services Immediately
If you suspect someone is experiencing a drug-related overdose, call 911 immediately. Even if the individual seems to be improving, medical evaluation is critical in the event of a drug overdose. Inform the dispatcher of the situation and explain the symptoms they’re experiencing.
3. Administer Naloxone (If Opioids Are Involved)
Naloxone (Narcan) is an opioid overdose reversal medication that can go into effect within minutes. If opioids are involved, Naloxone comes in a nasal spray or injectable version and should be repeated if the individual doesn’t respond within 2-3 minutes from the first administration. It’s important to understand that Naloxone only works for opioid-related overdoses.
While fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, it is nearly 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. In the event of a fentanyl-related overdose, multiple doses of Naloxone may be required to reverse overdose symptoms.
4. Perform Rescue Breathing and CPR (If Needed)
If the individual experiencing a drug overdose isn’t breathing or their heart has stopped, begin rescue breathing and CPR. If there’s no pulse and you’re unsure how to proceed, follow dispatcher instructions.
5. Stay With the Person Until Help Arrives
Even after administering Naloxone, the effects of opioids or other substances can return. While waiting for emergency services, continue to:
- Monitor their breathing
- Place them in the recovery position (on their side with their top leg bent)
- Provide emotional support to help keep them calm
Immediate Action and Prevention Strategies for Drug Overdoses
According to the CDC, drug overdoses are the leading injury-related cause of death in the United States. Drug overdoses and overdose deaths can be prevented and effectively treated through targeted strategies and evidence-based action. Preventing and responding to drug-related overdoses involves education, medical intervention, harm reduction strategies, and community support.
Substance use disorders (SUDs), including opioid use disorder (OUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD), significantly heighten the risk of drug overdoses. By breaking the stigma and supporting the addiction treatment process, individuals are more likely to receive the necessary treatments for recovery.
Educate Yourself and Others About Overdose Risks
Understanding the drugs that carry a high risk of overdose and overdose fatality is key to prevention. Opioids, such as heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and fentanyl, are highly addictive substances responsible for drug overdoses. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is one of the most fatal drugs involved in drug overdoses and overdose deaths.
Drug overdose deaths involving stimulants, including cocaine and methamphetamine, rose in 2022, with nearly 70% involving fentanyl. It’s crucial to know the signs and symptoms of a drug overdose, such as slow breathing, blue lips, nausea, and unconsciousness. Educating adolescents, teens, and young adults about the dangers of illicit drugs and prescription drug misuse can help reduce overdose rates.
Limit Access to High-Risk Medications
Limiting access to prescription medications involved in drug overdoses, particularly opioids, stimulants, and benzodiazepines, can help reduce overdose rates. Safely store high-risk medications like opioids and stimulants out of reach of adolescents and teenagers who might misuse them.
If prescribed one of these medications for chronic pain, ask your healthcare provider about non-opioid alternatives.
Promote Harm Reduction Strategies
Harm reduction strategies aim to minimize the negative consequences associated with substance use. Keeping Naloxone (Narcan) on hand can be life-saving in the event of an opioid overdose. Using fentanyl test strips can help detect the presence of fentanyl contamination in recreational and illicit drugs.
Support Addiction Treatment and Recovery
Encouraging medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can help those struggling with opioid addiction better manage the withdrawal process. Promoting mental health services and therapy works to treat underlying mental health issues that can lower the risk of substance misuse.
The stigma surrounding addiction is what often prevents people from speaking up and receiving the help they need. By offering compassion and understanding, individuals struggling with drug abuse are more likely to seek support. In doing so, lower addiction rates can also contribute to lower drug overdoses and overdose deaths.
If you or a loved one is struggling with prescription opioid abuse or opioid use disorder (OUD), help is available. Reach out to Coastal Detox today to get sober at our 24/7 drug detox.
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024. Overdose Prevention: What CDC is Doing.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2024. Drug Overdose Deaths: Facts and Figures.
- GoodRx, 2024. What Are the Signs of a Drug Overdose?
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2018. Drugs Most Frequently Involved in Drug Overdose Deaths: United States, 2011–2016.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2024. Understanding an Overdose and How to Respond to One.
- Journal of Public Health Management & Practice, 2022. The Overdose Response Strategy: Reducing Drug Overdose Deaths Through Strategic Partnership Between Public Health and Public Safety.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024. Overdose Prevention: Preventing Opioid Overdose.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2018. Opioid Overdose Prevention TOOLKIT: Five Essential Steps for First Responders.