Naloxone is one of the key opioid overdose prevention tools we have. Today’s guest author, Mike Smeth, shares key information about naloxone, as well as other important opioid overdose prevention tips and resources. Mike is a recovery advocate who works to make trusted addiction recovery resources accessible to people throughout the country. To find out more about the causes and projects he supports, visit MikeSmeth.com. You can also connect with him via LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Opioid Overdose Prevention Tips & Resources by Mike Smeth

The opioid family of drugs includes prescription painkillers like OxyContin, fentanyl, methadone, and Vicodin, as well as street drugs like heroin. They are among the most addictive and potentially dangerous substances in the country.

Last year, a record 69,000+ Americans died from opioid overdoses. This is a massive increase from the 49,860 Americans who died from opioid overdoses in 2019 and represents the largest single year percentage increase in deaths since 1999. That number is projected to be even higher in 2021.

Preventing Opioid Overdoses

Naloxone is a medication that effectively reverses the effects of opioids and can save the life of someone who has overdosed. It’s important to note that naloxone will not reverse overdoses resulting from non-opioid drugs like cocaine, benzodiazepines (benzos), or alcohol.

The sad reality of opioid overdose deaths is that most of them are completely preventable. One common scenario that tragically repeats itself over and over is when sober individuals relapse. They pick up using the dose of a drug they previously used, which is now too much for their body to handle. And because there is disproportionate access to mental health services and treatment facilities across race, economic status, and sexual orientation, people are set up to fail.

Making things like Naloxone more accessible when an overdose arises is the first step but providing easy-to-understand resources and directions for seeking help could prevent people from overdosing in the first place. One such resources is SAMHSA’s treatment locator.

It’s also important to bring more awareness to laws that protect individuals from having to deal with legal consequences when an overdose does occur. The best indicator of someone surviving an overdose is how quickly they are provided medical help. If someone already struggles with legal problems or is in possession of drugs or other illegal substances, they may hesitate to reach out for help when someone is overdosing.

Good Samaritan laws were put in place specifically to encourage people to call 911 if they think someone is overdosing. Not only does this prevent any legal troubles from taking place, but it may also decrease the number of deaths that occur due to unreported overdoses.

Resources for Finding Naloxone

Naloxone was designed specifically to rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It works by binding to opioid receptors and effectively blocking and reversing the effects of opioids. Naloxone can be given as a nasal spray or injected into the muscle. Depending on how many opioids a person has taken, it may take more than one dose to completely reverse an overdose.

Some online resources for finding and obtaining Naloxone are:

Get Naloxone Now provides online training, education, and information about overdose prevention and the safest ways to use Naloxone. They also provide access to Naloxone and gives information on products and where to find them.

NEXT Distro is an online harm reduction service that provides tools by mail to your door. Individuals in need can order clean syringes and Naloxone.

Naloxone Exchange is another online delivery system that can send Naloxone to clients discreetly and for low prices.

Critical First Steps if an Overdose Occurs

• Administer Naloxone immediately. This will reverse the effects of the overdose. You can get Naloxone without a prescription at most pharmacies or online.
• Call 911 and remain with them while you are waiting for medical services to arrive.
• Provide CPR if the person is not breathing.
• Try to wake them up if they are unconscious.
• Lay the person on their side, especially if they are vomiting so they do not choke and suffocate.

Opioid Overdose Prevention Resources

The following resources can be helpful to anyone who uses drugs or who knows someone that may overdose. Having this information ahead of time can help to prevent overdoses from occurring, or at the very least decrease the number of deaths related to overdoses.

Alliance Against Opioid Abuse – A leading national group focused on raising awareness and providing information to help prevent abuse of prescription opioids.

Faces and Voices of Recovery is an organization that provides information, resources, advocacy, and community for individuals in recovery as well as individuals who are struggling with active addiction.

National Harm Reduction Coalition is an online resource that aims at bringing awareness to the dangers of unsafe drug use and ensure that people using drugs have a voice and are able to receive tools that can help prevent overdoses.