Signs of Overdose – Save a Life!
Risk Factors Overdoses can happen to anyone. Individuals at higher risk may have:
- a substance use history
- a mental health history
- a painful physical illness or a compromised respiratory system
- combined one drug with other drugs and/or alcohol
- used drugs while alone
- used after a period of not using or reduced usage, or
- a new dealer or new supply
Science describes how opioids shut down the body.
Signs of an Opioid Overdose
- struggling to breathe or snoring in an unusual way
- not reacting to attempts to awaken
- hands, face, and/or lips turning purple or blue
- not responding to pain
- complaining about being too hot
- vomiting, or acting unreasonable or appearing confused
- DO call immediately for medical intervention
- DO use Narcan if available
- DO try to awaken the person by rubbing knuckles hard against the chest bone
- DO clear the airway, pinch the nose closed, and blow air into the mouth
- DO position the person on their side if vomiting
- DO keep the person warm and stay until help arrives
- DO share information about what drugs were used, and
- DO leave everything as found
- DON’T allow the person to “sleep it off”
- DON’T put the person in a bath, shower, or ice
- DON’T give the person any substance (except Narcan)
- DON’T leave the person alone or unattended, and
- DON’T treat the person with home remedies - they do not work and postpone life-saving medical treatment