Important information for those using opiate pain medication or heroin. It is our goal to ensure no person is without access to the at home care needed during an overdose. North Country HealthCare has partnered with Sonoran Prevention Works to offer at home Opioid Overdose prevention kits.
What puts you at risk of an overdose?
Overdose happens when the opiate receptors in your brain get so filled with opiates that your breathing slows to the point of respiratory failure. When you stop breathing, your brain stops functioning, leading to death.
Things to know about using Naloxone
Even with Naloxone, someone may still be at risk of death if they have taken a mixture of benzos (Xanax, Valium, etc.) or alcohol with the opioids. The presence of fentanyl will require a more rapid response, as it acts fast to cause an overdose.
People will feel sick when they wake up, as naloxone brings on immediate withdrawal. They still need IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION as the medicine can wear off and they are still at risk of another overdose.
For Intramuscular Naloxone:
For Nasal Naloxone (Narcan):
*Tilt the head back, open the mouth and pinch the nose. Start with 2 breaths into the mouth, then 1 breath every 5 seconds.
5. Stay with the Person: Naloxone wears off in 30 to go minutes. When the person wakes up, explain what happened.
* The person may overdose again when the Naloxone wears off. If this happens, administer another dose.
Click here for additional Opioid and Naloxone Resources:
For more information about Opioids and Substance Use Disorder, call 928.522.1105.
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