Opioid Overdose Response and Naloxone Training

Quick reference for intramuscular naloxone administration

Identify

An opioid overdose occurs when someone has more drugs in their system than their body can handle. They will not be responsive, their breathing will be slow or stopped and they will start turning blue or gray. If the person can talk, they are not experiencing a life-threatening overdose at that time.

If you’re not sure it’s a life threatening overdose, perform a sternal rub. You can do this by making a fist and rubbing your knuckles against the person’s breastbone hard. If the person does not respond, that means it is an emergency.

Act

Don't panic, you've been trained to respond.

1) If others are at the scene, ask them to assist by giving rescue breaths or calling 911. You can also have them read these directions to you while you respond.

2) If the individual is not breathing, provide rescue breaths. Tilt the person’s head back, lift their chin and open their mouth. Perform a finger sweep to make sure they have nothing in their mouth (food, gum, chewing tobacco). Pinch their nose closed with one hand and give two breaths about 1 second each in length. If their chest does not rise, reposition their head and chin to further open their airway.

3) Prepare the naloxone injection. Remove the orange cap, insert the syringe tip by putting it through the spongy neck of the glass vial, suck up the naloxone with the intramuscular syringe by pulling back the plunger. Remove air from the syringe if there is a lot, but do not concern yourself with a small air bubble during the emergency.

4) Administer the naloxone. Put the syringe into the person’s upper arm, thigh, or buttocks and inject the naloxone solution. If the person is wearing thin clothing or only one layer, you can put the injection right through the clothing if it is problematic to remove it.

5) Provide rescue breaths.

6) Give a second dose of naloxone if the person isn't breathing on their own within 1 to 2 minutes of the first dose. If the individual is not responsive after two doses of naloxone, it may be a different kind of emergency.

DEBRIEF

When they become responsive, explain that they were not breathing and not responsive. Let them know you gave them naloxone.

If the person does not want to seek medical care, stay with them if you can. Explain that the naloxone wears off in 30-90 minutes and any withdrawal symptoms they are experiencing will pass. It's very important for them not to take more drugs during this time to avoid overdosing again.

Develop a safety plan. Some things to think about are: a) Is there more naloxone available if another overdose occurs? b) Are there drug checking supplies available such as fentanyl test strips? c) Who will respond if another overdose occurs? Are there options to check in with the person using drugs to make sure they are okay. There are also free all-volunteer services such as https://neverusealone.com/ REMINDER: Overdoses are more likely to occur when tolerance is low such as after a period of abstinence, leaving jail, or leaving drug treatment.

Read resources on overdose aftercare, ours is located at https://nextdistro.org/odaftercare

Report the naloxone use and get another kit mailed to you by clicking the button above that says “Use Your Kit? Get Another Here” or visiting nextdistro.org/reverse

Do you want to review a training video? Choose the type of naloxone you have here: