Steps to Take If You Suspect Someone Has Overdosed

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We all have a role in addressing the opioid crisis.

Knowing how to respond to an overdose can literally save a life and offer someone the opportunity to seek treatment and begin their recovery.

Can you afford not to be prepared?

The opioid crisis continues to affect the United States, resulting in thousands of fatalities each year. Although public attention has waned, synthetic opioids still contribute to 66% of drug-related overdoses.

The death rate from opioid overdoses has decreased since 2017, partly due to the wider availability of Naloxone, an emergency overdose antidote.

The combination of high unemployment and social isolation may trigger more relapses across the country. Overdose risk increases after a relapse because of reduced tolerance.

Given these circumstances, it’s crucial to know what steps to take if you encounter someone who appears to have overdosed.

Perhaps you know someone who uses opioids—whether a friend or family member. Anyone taking these prescription painkillers could potentially overdose, so it’s important to protect yourself and your loved ones. Start by equipping yourself with the basics.

How to Recognize an Overdose

When someone has overdosed on opioids or heroin, they are often unresponsive, with pupils contracted to a pinpoint size.

They may appear to be awake but typically will not respond to verbal prompts or physical stimulation.

Opioids slow down breathing to the point where it may stop altogether, leading to death. Monitoring breathing is therefore crucial.

If you notice gurgling sounds—often referred to as a “death rattle”—or if their skin appears blue-gray, immediate action is necessary.

What Should You Do?

Act Immediately

If you suspect someone has overdosed, call 911 right away.

Stay with the person until help arrives.

Medical assistance is essential, even if Naloxone is administered, as the individual may have other medical conditions requiring attention.

Try to Revive Them

Attempt to revive the person by shouting their name, shaking them gently, and informing them that an ambulance is on the way.

If there is no response, try rubbing your knuckles against their sternum, upper lip, or pinching their nose to elicit a reaction.

Continue to monitor their breathing until emergency services arrive.

Place the person in the recovery position—on their side, with the top leg bent at the knee and their upper arm across the body on the ground—to facilitate breathing and reduce the risk of choking if they vomit.

When speaking to 911, provide as much detail as possible, including:

The amount of opioids taken—be truthful
Whether Naloxone has been administered
Your exact location (address and specific area within the property)
The person’s breathing status: has it slowed or stopped?

When speaking to 911, provide as much detail as possible, including:

Administer Naloxone

If you have Naloxone available, administer it immediately. It can be given either through an injection or a nasal spray.

If the person is still not breathing after receiving Naloxone, attempt rescue breaths if possible. If there is still no response, start CPR and continue until medical professionals arrive.

Good Samaritan Overdose Immunity Laws

You may feel hesitant to call 911 for help if someone has overdosed, fearing legal consequences. This concern is understandable, as there have been instances where people were charged with manslaughter after seeking medical assistance for an overdose.

However, some states have enacted legislation to protect individuals from arrest or prosecution for possessing illegal substances or drug paraphernalia when they seek help for someone experiencing an overdose.

The Good Samaritan Overdose Immunity Laws were created to encourage people to seek medical attention during an overdose emergency. The specifics of these laws vary by state, with some extending immunity to individuals who may have violated restraining orders, parole, or protection conditions.

You can check the immunity laws in your state [here].

If you decide to call 911 and stay with the person, be honest with the emergency responders about what substances were taken. Withholding information could endanger the person’s life.

If You Can’t Call 911

If calling 911 is not an option and you don’t have access to Naloxone, try to obtain it from someone nearby.

If that’s not possible, at the very least, place the person in the recovery position. Leave the doors unlocked and notify the first passer-by you encounter.