Facts About An Opioid Overdose

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You are Here: Home Page > Opioid Overdose Prevention > Facts about an Opioid Overdose Facts about an Opioid Overdose

Opioid overdose is characterized by the decrease in breathing rate which can lead to death. Death usually occurs 1 to 3 hours after injection, rather than suddenly. Overdose is frequently witnessed by someone who does not recognize the danger or does not want to act on it. In many cases of overdose, opioids are mixed with alcohol or benzodiazepines.

Overdose is most common among those who have been using for 5 to 10 years, rather than in the new user. Other risks include:

• Resumption of use after a period of abstinence from opioid use, such as recent release from detoxification, drug treatment or correctional facility,
• Use of opioids without others present raises the risk of death if an overdose occurs,
• Mixing opioids with other drugs, particularly alcohol or the sedatives,
• Injection, and
• Serious medical problems such as advanced HIV infection and impaired liver function.

How do I recognize signs of an opioid overdose?

• The person can't be woken up
• Breathing is very slow or not existent
• Nails or lips may turn pale, gray or blue

What should I do if I see an overdose?

• Call 911 immediately!
• Say "I think someone may have overdosed."
• If the person isn't breathing, do rescue (mouth-to-mouth) breathing by pinching the nose and blowing into the mouth
• Administer naloxone (Narcan) if you have it
• Lay the person on their side once they have resumed breathing
• Stay with the overdosed person until the ambulance arrives

Directions on how to use Naloxone for Opioid Overdose

• Watch how to Use Naloxone (youtube.com)
• Emergency Response for Opioid Overdose - injection naloxone (PDF)
• Emergency Response for Opioid Overdose - nasal naloxone (PDF)

Know the Law

911 Good Samaritan Law protects individuals who call for help during an overdose.

Learn more about 911 Good Samaritan

Resources

• Department of Health Publication Order Form (PDF)

Instructions, Posters and other materials available to print and/or order

• How to Use Narcan Nasal Spray (PDF)
• How to Use Injection Naloxone (PDF)
• Emergency Response for Opioid Overdose: Nasal Naloxone (PDF)
• See an Overdose? Call 911 Immediately (English) (PDF, #0230)
  • ¿Está presenciando una sobredosis? llame al 911 de inmediato! (Español) (PDF, #0231)

Palm Cards:

• See an Overdose Call 911 Good Samaritan Law (English) (PDF, #0226)
  • Es testigo de una sobredosis llame 911 Good Samaritan ley (Español) (PDF, #0227)

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