Preventing and Responding to Heroin Overdose

San Diego is currently grappling with a severe heroin and opioid crisis. According to official reports, the county saw 528 opioid-related deaths in 2020, a staggering increase of over 115% since 2016. This sharp rise underscores the urgency of addressing the epidemic head-on.

As the crisis deepens, overdose prevention and rapid response become even more critical in saving lives. Individuals, families, and communities need to be equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to respond effectively in the event of a health emergency related to substance use. Recognizing the signs of overdose and knowing when to seek immediate medical help is crucial.

Educational efforts and widespread awareness are crucial to ensuring that both substance users and their loved ones understand the risks and are prepared to act swiftly by focusing on overdose prevention and timely intervention.

Signs of Heroin Overdose

Recognizing the signs of a heroin overdose, which occurs when a person consumes more of the drug than their body can handle, is vital. Awareness of the warning signs and responding quickly can be the difference between life and death. Whether calling for emergency help or administering an antidote, expedient action can save lives and prevent a tragic outcome. 

Heroin, an addictive painkiller, affects the body by depressing the central nervous system. It slows down essential biological functions, like breathing and blood pressure, creating a sense of temporary calm. Unfortunately, this depressive effect goes too far during an overdose, leading to respiratory failure and sometimes causing individuals to lapse into a coma. 

Typical signs of an overdose include: 

• Unresponsiveness: The person doesn’t respond when you try to wake them
• Blue lips or fingernails: A sign that the person’s body isn’t pumping oxygenated blood to their extremities 
• Pinpoint pupils: A condition where the person’s eyes don’t respond to light
• Unconsciousness: A state in which a person is unable to respond to stimuli and is unaware of their surroundings, meaning they may appear to be sleeping but cannot be awakened

How to Prevent Overdose

The best way to prevent an overdose is sobriety. Completely eliminating the use of substances such as heroin removes any risk of overdose. However, individuals can take various steps to reduce overdose risks if they are still using heroin. 

Avoid using alone

First, users should never take heroin alone.  Many drug-related deaths are due to irresponsible and isolated substance use, such as taking heroin in their apartments without telling anyone. Taking the substance without anyone else around can mean a long wait for help or a total lack thereof. 

Before using heroin, evaluate safety measures for any worst-case scenarios. Reaching out for help or letting others know about your drug use can be scary but ultimately worthwhile, as they can be there to administer help if necessary and possibly save your life.

Test for fentanyl contamination

Second, users should test for fentanyl contamination, a common cause of overdose. The substance is much more potent than morphine, meaning even small quantities could lead to serious side effects. 

You can test for fentanyl using testing strips. These pieces of paper can detect the drug in numerous substances, including pill, powder, and injectable forms. However, they aren’t 100% fail-safe and can’t tell you the concentration of fentanyl in a sample, only that it is present. 

Use needle exchange programs and safe consumption sites

Another approach is to use needle exchange programs. These allow users to obtain safe needles for injectable heroin for little to no cost. 

These are often available at safe drug consumption sites. These locations have trained staff who can support harm reduction and help users avoid overdose and contaminated needles. 

Take methadone or buprenorphine to help treat addiction

There are also various medications, like methadone or buprenorphine, to treat addiction. These can reduce symptoms of opioid withdrawal and assist during the most challenging phases of recovery. 

Family members and loved ones of substance users should take an active role in these efforts. Often, they are the people closest by when an overdose occurs. 

How to Respond to a Heroin Overdose

In the case of a heroin overdose, call 911 immediately and ask for an ambulance.  Check if the patient is unresponsive and isn’t breathing. Perform CPR if necessary.

If possible, administer Naloxone (Narcan). This medication can restore normal breathing in many heroin overdose patients within a couple of minutes. This medication can be found at numerous locations, including safe needle programs, pharmacies, community programs, and treatment centers. Emergency services should also carry the drug, making proper communication with 911 operators essential.

Once the emergency services arrive, provide them with as much information as possible. Tell them what happened, and then be prepared to follow their instructions. Don’t leave the scene until responders no longer require your help. 

Legal protections in California (called the Good Samaritan laws) protect you against civil liability if you provide emergency assistance to someone during a drug overdose. 

Long-Term Solutions for Preventing Heroin Overdose

Short-term responses to heroin overdose can save a life. However, relapse is likely to occur without long-term solutions. 

Start by seeking professional help. Support groups can be a great place to start. Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is an organization that connects people recovering from heroin use, offering peer support during challenging times along with education and knowledge. Other local community groups may also be available. 

One of the most effective options is to explore residential treatment centers that focus on addiction recovery. Professional recovery clinics offer detox services to remove heroin from the body and return clients to health. Inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment programs provide the highest chance of success because they maintain a relationship with the user long-term while delivering immediate sobriety assistance during their time of need. Jackson House Recovery Centers, for instance, offers 60 days of aftercare as standard, plus various alumni and support groups to prevent relapse. 

How to Support a Loved One Struggling With Heroin Addiction

Knowing how to support a loved one living with heroin addiction can be challenging. However, the best approach is to: 

• Be open in your communication and express concern. Show the family member you care about their experience and want to help.
• Encourage them to use harm-reduction strategies and highlight the benefits of treatment. Talk about how professional approaches can free them from addiction and help them reclaim their lives.
• Attend family therapy or support groups with them to work together to solve the heroin addiction. Putting in an effort as a group is often the best strategy. 

Heroin Addiction Treatment Center in San Diego

Ultimately, awareness, prevention, and swift response to heroin overdose are essential for saving lives. Knowing when someone has taken too much of the drug and what to do in the immediate aftermath can help them make a full and lasting recovery. 

Contact Jackson House Recovery Centers to find the help you or your loved ones deserve in breaking free from heroin addiction.

19 Sep 2024