Opioid Use Disorder And Overdose

Opioid overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in Rhode Island.

What users can do to prevent an overdose death

• Get help for your addiction;
• Don't use alone – pair up;
• Don't mix drugs like benzos, alcohol, and opioids;
• Talk with friends and family about responding to an overdose and using naloxone in case of an opioid overdose.
• Keep a prescription for Narcan ® (naloxone) on you at all times. Friends and family should learn how to use it if you overdose.

What friends and family can do to prevent an overdose death

• Call 911 if you find someone in an overdosed state. Stay with the person until the ambulance arrives.
• Try to wake the person up by yelling their name and rubbing the middle of the chest hard;
• Try rescue breathing;
• Put the person on their side so they do not choke;
• Stock and use naloxone (also known as Narcan®) to stop a opioid overdose. Rhode Island Walgreens and CVS pharmacies sell this antidote without a doctor's prescription, and it is covered by most health insurers. Training on this drug will be provided when it is purchased;
• Store all medication in a secure location.  Click here for information about how to secure your medications.;
• Safely dispose of all unused medications;
• Help a loved one connect to treatment, recovery, and harm reduction resources.

Signs of an overdose

If a person has any of these signs and cannot respond to you, he/she may be having a drug overdose. An overdose usually happens 1 to 3 hours after a person has used.

• Heavy nodding;
• No response when you yell the person's name or rub the middle of the chest hard;
• Blue lips or blue fingertips;
• Slow breathing (less than 1 breath every 5 seconds) or no breathing;
• Very limp body and very pale face;
• Choking sounds or a gurgling, snoring noise.