Opioids affect the body’s receptors that are related to breathing, which causes breathing to become slow and shallow. A person’s breathing can stop within minutes to hours after using the drug. Once breathing stops, brain damage can start within three to five minutes without oxygen, leading to death.
A death from an opioid overdose can happen quickly, most often when the person is alone and no one is around to intervene.
Signs of an OVERDOSE, which may often result in death if not treated.
Difficulty walking or talking, unconsciousness or inability to stay awake.
Extreme drowsiness, tiny pupils.
Slow or shallow breathing. Breathing difficulty such as choking sounds or a gurgling / snoring noise from a person who cannot be awakened.
Fingernails or lips turning blue / purple.
Confusion and/or disorientation.
Unable to wake them by shaking or yelling at them.
Slow or weak pulse.
If an opioid overdose is suspected, CALL 911. Inform the Emergency Operator of your location and that you suspect an overdose. Attempt to wake or stimulate the person:
Call the person’s name. Tap their shoulder or shake them.
If this doesn’t work, vigorously rub knuckles into the sternum (the breastbone in middle of chest) or rub knuckles on the person’s upper lip.
If the person responds, assess whether he or she 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:
Administer naloxone (Narcan) if available.
Begin rescue breathing if the person is not breathing on their own.
Tilt their head back to open the airway and check their mouth to make sure it is not blocked. Begin rescue breathing by pinching their nostrils, placing your mouth entirely over theirs, and breathing into their mouth every five seconds for 30 seconds for an adult.
Place the person onto their side to prevent choking and remain with them until emergency services arrive.
If they are not breathing and do not have a pulse, begin CPR. The dispatcher can talk you through it if you are not trained.
Printable Tri-fold of above Pamphlet
Learn more about Drug Education & Prevention at SUPE | Substance Use Prevention Education (addicted.org)