According to the Centers for Disease Control, fatal drug overdose rates across the United States have started to decline in the last few years. Suspected non-fatal drug overdoses are also declining across the country with an interesting seasonality—non-fatal drug overdose rates are at their lowest around the end of the year and see an increase in warmer months.
In the summer months, we start to see more suspected overdose cases in Rhode Island and Massachusetts emergency departments as well. The good news is that fatal overdoses have decreased. The better news is that readily available opioid antagonist medications can help keep people safe from fatal drug overdoses.
What are the signs of an opioid overdose?
Signs of opioid overdose include:
- extreme sedation, such as falling asleep or losing consciousness
- limp body posture
- discolored, cold, and clammy skin
- sounds of choking and/or gurgling
- low or absent breathing
- change in mental status or confusion.
Signs of opioid overdose are the same regardless of whether the drugs are prescribed for pain or post-surgery or used recreationally. However, overdoses involving fentanyl can result in deeper sedation and more rapid onset than other substances.
Call for help in an emergency
Call 911 if you suspect an overdose of any medication. Opioid antagonist medications such as Narcan can be administered while emergency services are on their way.
What is an opioid antagonist?
Opioid antagonists are a class of drug that binds to a person’s opioid receptors without activating them. They do not allow opioids to take effect but otherwise have little effect on their own. Some more recognizable names are Narcan or Naloxone.
Opioid antagonists are not only used in overdose cases. Some opioid antagonists can be prescribed to counteract the side effects of opioids, such as constipation.
What is narcan (naloxone)?
Narcan is an opioid antagonist that can quickly reverse overdoses by binding to opioid receptors and replacing the opioid molecules, thereby blocking their effects. Narcan comes in injectable form (both intravenous and intramuscular) and the more commonly distributed nasal form. Narcan can restore normal breathing quickly, within two to five minutes.
There is very little risk in administering Narcan to someone who is not overdosing. It is a safe drug for all populations, and allergic reactions are exceedingly rare. If a person does not have any opioids in their system, Narcan typically will have no effect.
Narcan does not help with overdoses from other substances, such as alcohol or stimulants.
What should I do if I see someone overdosing?
Follow these steps if you see or suspect someone is overdosing on any substance.
- Call 911 for emergency services.
- Administer Narcan (naloxone) if you have it. Reversing an overdose may require more than one dose but wait two to three minutes between doses.
- If you do not have Narcan and the person is not breathing or breathing shallowly, you can perform rescue breathing while you wait for help to arrive.
- Keep them on their side and try to keep them awake.
- Stay with the person until assistance arrives.
Narcan can save lives
Narcan is available as a standing order in many pharmacies using your insurance. If you are concerned about the co-pay, there are programs that distribute Narcan throughout the state and can provide training on overdose detection and reversal. Even if you do not use any opioids, having Narcan accessible can save the life of a stranger, or of someone you love.
Good Samaritan laws protect you when you are acting to provide reasonable assistance in emergency situations. Keeping Narcan on hand and learning to perform rescue breathing can help save lives from fatal overdoses.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, contact the Addiction Care Today clinic about getting convenient and non-judgmental care, guidance, and support. Call us at 401-606-8100.
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