Call Now! 866-415-6313

Opioid Overdose Signs And How To Help

If someone around you is experiencing an opioid overdose, call 911 immediately. 

Opioid overdose can occur due to:

    • Misusing/abusing opioids by consuming high dose of an opioid
    • Combining opioids with other substances such as alcohol or other drugs
    • Using opioids that are obtained illegally (not prescribed)
    • Prior medical conditions such as sleep apnea or kidney or liver malfunctioning
    • Doing any of these can potentially lead to fatal conditions and will need medical intervention.

What are Opioids and How do they Work?

Opioids are a class of drugs that are primarily intended to alleviate pain by working with the opioid receptors already present in our systems. When opioids bind to the receptors, the brain cells release signals that interfere with the patterns of pain and overlay them with signals of relief and pleasure.

Opium is organically found in poppy seeds but it is more often manufactured synthetically in laboratories. Opioids have been historically used to manage pain quickly but the same characteristics that make opioids so effective can also make them dangerous. To reduce risks of overdosing and other fatal consequences, it is essential that they are only taken by prescription.

Commonly Abused Opiates

Opioids are commonly prescribed for Acute use, typically a short term prescription, for example after a major surgery; and for Chronic use, which may be longer term prescriptions, for example to advanced cancer patients. However, the highly addictive nature of opioids make them easy for people to abuse. Many individuals start out with prescriptions for pain relief, but extended use of even prescription drugs affects the body’s dependence on drug induced dopamine and endorphin secretions.

Some commonly abused opioid drugs are:

  • Vicodin (Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen)
  • Morphine
  • Codeine
  • Fentanyl
  • Hydrocodone
  • Hydromorphone
  • Heroin (an illegal opioid)

Fentanyl and Heroin are responsible for the most number of overdose emergencies and deaths in the U.S.

Signs of an Opioid Overdose

In many cases, it may not be easy to assess the situation enough to gauge whether a person is experiencing an overdose, or is high from the drug. Some of the common signs of an opioid overdose can be remembered by the code word BLUE:

  • Breath is shallow or stopped
  • Lips are blue or purplish
  • Unresponsive when called by name or tapped on shoulder
  • Emergency medical attention is needed

Other signs of an overdose may include:

  • Slow or stopped heartbeat
  • Small, pinpointed pupils
  • Vomiting, choking
  • Limp body muscles and posture
  • Bluish lips, nails and skin 
  • Cold, clammy skin
  • Unconscious or asleep

How to Help in an Opioid Overdose Situation

If you suspect that someone around you is experiencing a drug overdosing, here are some initial steps to take.

Call 911

An opioid overdose incident requires immediate medical intervention. Call 911 or your local emergency medical number immediately. Gather any information you can provide, such as name of patient, location of the incident, name of the opioid that you find on the patient, and if you are aware of any other substances involved.

Check for Response

If you notice a person displaying any of the signs above, try to induce some kind of response from them by calling their name, tapping them on the shoulder, or administering a sternal rub. A sternal rub is performed by making a fist and rubbing the knuckles along their sternum (at the center of their chest, below the breastbone). If they respond to any of these, verify whether they can remain alert.

Administer Narcan (Naloxone)

Although Narcan is a prescription drug, it is usually available at pharmacies in cases of emergency situations. If you are a medical professional or have access to Narcan, immediately administer the drug while you wait for emergency medical professionals to arrive. Even if you are unsure whether the patient’s condition is due to opioid overdose, it is safe to give them Naloxone as a first step.

Perform CPR and/or Rescue Breathing

If you have had training in rescue breathing and CPR, you may administer rescue breathing if you notice the person is not breathing. If you are not trained in rescue breathing, you may administer CPR by giving them quick, uninterrupted chest compressions.

Stay Until Help Arrives

Try to keep the patient in a comfortable position while you wait for help to arrive. When medical help arrives, stay and provide any information necessary for you to hand them off.

Preventative Measures for Opioid Overdose

Not all overdose cases are due to abusing opioids. In many cases, it can be caused due to lack of knowledge, easy accessibility, and existing preconditions. Here are some suggestions of how to prevent opioid overdoses.

  • Only use opioids under prescription, exactly as prescribed
  • If you are using other medications be sure to ask your doctor about combining them
  • Do not combine prescription medications with other substances such as alcohol or unprescribed drugs
  • Have Naloxone handy and learn how to administer it 
  • Keep all medications out of reach of children and pets

How to Have a Successful Recovery from Opioid Overdose

After completing the emergency medical intervention, patients often go through the detoxification process which is usually a medically assisted treatment (MAT) in the case of opioids. However, it is not a secret that individuals walking out of a detox will most likely go back to using the drugs.

Is it possible to have a successful recovery? The answer is YES, and it lies in long term treatment. We offer several variations of long term recovery treatment plans to accommodate all kinds of patients with different kinds of lifestyles and obligations.

Some of our outpatient services include:

  • Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
  • Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
  • Outpatient Program (OP)
  • Dual Diagnosis and Treatment (for co-occurring disorders)
  • Individual Therapy / Psychotherapy
  • Evidence-based Treatment Programs (CBT, DBT, EMDR, to name a few)
  • Adventure Therapy
  • Holistic Treatment and Practices
  • Group Therapy 
  • Support Groups

In short, we create an individualized treatment plan that include modalities that are custom tailored to suit your needs and requirements in order to create the maximum possible chances for successful long term recovery.


Ready to recover from opioid addiction?
Text us at 949-749-3026 or Call us at 866-415-6313

Come work with us

Get Help Now

Admission Coordinators are available 24/7.
Take Control Of Your Life and Call Now.