Overdose awareness day 2022 - How to help prevent overdose
Overdose Awareness Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the dangers of overdose and the steps we can take to help save a life. It’s a day to educate ourselves and our loved ones on how to best respond if we suspect someone has overdosed and what steps we can take to help in our communities.
Overdose is the number one cause of death among young people in the United States. It can happen when someone takes too much of a drug or other substance, such as prescription medication or alcohol. It's estimated that more than 120 people die from overdose every day in the United States.
Opioids are powerful painkillers that are also highly addictive. Opioids such as heroin and prescription medications such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone, buprenorphine, fentanyl and morphine are the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths.
We all can play a vital role in saving lives
Below are some suggested steps you can take to help save a life if you suspect someone has overdosed.
STEP 1: CHECK FOR SIGNS OF OPIOID OVERDOSE
Signs of OVERDOSE, which often results in death if not treated, include:
Unconsciousness or inability to awaken.
Slow or shallow breathing or breathing difficulties such as choking sounds or a gurgling/snoring noise from a person who cannot be awakened.
Fingernails or lips turning blue/purple.
If an opioid overdose is suspected, stimulate the person:
Call the person’s name
If this doesn’t work, vigorously grind knuckles into the sternum (the breastbone in the middle of the chest) or rub knuckles on the person’s upper lip.
If the person responds, assess whether they can maintain responsiveness and breathing.
Continue to monitor the person, including breathing and alertness, and try to keep the person awake and alert.
If the person does not respond, call 911, provide rescue breathing if the person is not breathing on their own, and administer one dose of naloxone.
Naloxone is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist. This means that it attaches to opioid receptors and reverses and blocks the effects of other opioids. Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing to a person if their breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose. But, naloxone has no effect on someone who does not have opioids in their system, and it is not a treatment for opioid use disorder. The safety profile of naloxone is remarkably high, especially when used in low doses and titrated to effect.
See step three for more information.
STEP 2: CALL 911 FOR HELP
AN OPIOID OVERDOSE NEEDS IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION
An essential step is to get someone with medical expertise to see the person as soon as possible. If no emergency medical services (EMS) or other trained personnel are on the scene, activate the 911 emergency system immediately. All you have to say is “Someone is unresponsive and not breathing.” Be sure to give a specific address and/or description of your location. After calling 911, follow the dispatcher’s instructions. If appropriate, the 911 operator will instruct you to begin CPR (technique based on the rescuer’s level of training).
STEP 3: ADMINISTER NALOXONE A.K.A NARCAN
If the person overdosing does not respond within 2 to 3 minutes after administering a dose of naloxone, administer a second dose of naloxone. Naloxone should be administered to anyone who presents with signs of opioid overdose or when an opioid overdose is suspected. Naloxone is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has been used for decades by EMS personnel to reverse an opioid overdose and resuscitate individuals who have overdosed on opioids. Research has shown that women, older people, and those without obvious signs of opioid use disorder are undertreated with naloxone and, as a result, have a higher death rate. Therefore, it is also important to consider naloxone administration in women and the elderly found unresponsive with opioid overdose.
Naloxone can be given by intranasal spray and by intramuscular (into the muscle), subcutaneous (under the skin), or intravenous injection.
All naloxone products are effective in reversing opioid overdose, including fentanyl-involved opioid overdoses, although overdoses involving potent (e.g., fentanyl) or large quantities of opioids may require more doses of naloxone.
DURATION OF EFFECT
The duration of effect of naloxone depends on the dose, route of administration, and overdose symptoms and is shorter than the effects of some opioids.
The goal of naloxone therapy should be to restore adequate spontaneous breathing, but not necessarily complete arousal. More than one dose of naloxone may be needed to revive someone who is overdosing. People who have taken longer-acting or more potent opioids may require additional intravenous bolus doses or an infusion of naloxone.
Comfort the person being treated, as withdrawal triggered by naloxone can feel unpleasant. Some people may become agitated or confused, which may improve by providing reassurance and explaining what is happening.
Where can I get naloxone?
The Stop the Clock Colorado website has a list of pharmacies that carry naloxone in cities across the state.
https://www.stoptheclockcolorado.org/
CONCLUSION
On Overdose Awareness Day, we can all take a moment to think about ways we can help save a life when someone is at risk of overdose. If you suspect someone has overdosed, call 911 immediately and then follow the dispatcher’s instructions. They will provide you with the best information and guidance. Be ready to provide an address or description of your location if asked.
Through prevention and treatment, we can save lives. The best way to prevent overdose is to avoid using opioids and other addictive drugs. If you or someone you care about is using opioids, talk to your doctor and/or a treatment provider. Treatment can help you live a healthy and productive life without drugs and alcohol.
Sobriety House is state licensed, non-profit, Substance Use Disorder provider that has been helping people recover from addiction for over 50 years. If you or someone you know is in need of help with addiction, call Sobriety House today at 1-720-381-4337. Get help today. We are here for you.
The Sobriety House Main Campus. 121 Acoma St. Denver, Colorado 80223
Do you want to get more involved? Here's a list of community events taking place in Colorado during this years Addiction Awareness Day.
https://endoverdoseco.com/community-events/
References:
https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/naloxone
https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/five-essential-steps-for-first-responders.pdf
https://www.9news.com/article/news/health/colorado-get-narcan/73-1de47443-33fd-4c73-ada4-750bdefca2e2
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