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Overdose and Crisis,  Information from the Parent Addiction Network

Please read the information on this page BEFORE you face a crisis.  

 

FACTS

  • Most overdoses involve more than one substance.

  • Nationally, drug overdose deaths are up for the 11th consecutive year (Journal of the American Medical Association) reported in CBSNews article, Feb 20, 2013

  • Opiate overdoses often occur after periods of abstinence or sobriety. A person's tolerance decreases during a period when he or she is not consuming (in rehab, in jail, in recovery). If a relapse occurs, the individual is likely to turn to the same dose as before, and an overdose occurs.      

 

 

 

 

Call 9-1-1

Are you concerned that someone might be overdosing? CALL 911. Would you let a friend die?
Calling 911 brings the ambulance/EMS to revive the person, not just the police.  It can save a life!

  • -When calling 911, an ambulance comes to the site to help

  • -Narcan/Naloxone will help someone start breathing again, but it wears off and more might be needed from the ambulance

  • -Ambulance can also provide other life-saving help

  • -If you call, you are protected by a WI law

 

 

New WI Law protects people who help in overdose.

http://www.safercommunity.net/DontRunCall911.php

Signs of a drug overdose:

Drug overdose symptons vary depending upon the specific drug, but often include:

  • Deep snoring

  • Turning blue; blue lips

  • Not breathing right; difficulty breathing

  • Doesn't wake up

  • Doesn't react to pain

  • No initial signs – effects can kick-in-later.  Don't leave someone alone. 

What NOT to do:

  • Don't put someone in a cold shower or in a cold bath; or shove idecubes down their pants.

  • Never pick someone up to walk them around.

  • Never smack, hit or hurt someone to try to bring them around.

  • Never inject someone with salt water.

  • Don't try to reason with someone.

 

What is the best way to revive a person who has had an overdose?

    • Call 911; clear airways; administer rescue breathing; administer Narcan®.  

Narcan

Narcan (brand name for Naloxone) is a drug that counters the effects of an opiate overdose. Administration of Narcan has reduced overdose fatalities and saved the lives of hundreds of people in Wisconsin. 

Naloxone prevents or reverses the effects of opioids, including respiratory depression, sedation, and hypotension. It is essentially a pure narcotic antagonist, i.e., it does not possess the "agonistic" or morphine-like properties characteristic of other narcotic antagonists. Naloxone does not produce respiratory depression, psychotomimetic effects or pupillary constriction. In the absence of narcotics or agonistic effects of other narcotic antagonists it exhibits essentially no pharmacologic activity. It only works on opiates. 

Naloxone has not been shown to produce tolerance or to cause physical or psychological dependence. In the presence of physical dependence on narcotics, Naloxone will produce withdrawal symptoms.

Narcan® (Naloxone) can be administered intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly or nasally. The duration of action is dependent on dose and route of administration. The effects of the Naloxone may dissipate overtime, so the effects of the opiate may return and therefore repeated doses may be necessary.  

  

 

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