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.
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.
What to Do When Someone Is Overdosing
If you’d like to learn more about helping drug addicts, check out our in-depth interview with Catherine Boswell, PhD.
- Often, a person will mix depressants, like alcohol, with stimulants, such as cocaine, meth, etc., as a pick-me-up.
- One size does not fit all—a treatment approach that may work for one person may not work for another.
- Contact Water Gap Wellness today and take the first step toward a healthier, happier future.
- If you suspect that someone has an alcohol overdose, call 911 for help immediately.
How To Help Someone Who Overdoses
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.
Treatment
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.
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
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 how to help someone that has overdosed 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.
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.
- Overdoses can happen rapidly and be fatal, so it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the warning signs and know how to respond.
- 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.
- Getting medical help quickly can make a big difference in the effectiveness of drug overdose treatment.
How to Help Someone Who Has Overdosed on Alcohol
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.
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.
Do You Qualify for Mental Health Treatment in Massachusetts?
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.
Overdose Warning Signs
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.
