Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose: Department of Health

What users can do to prevent an overdose death

Get help for opioid use disorder;

Don't use alone – pair up;

Don't mix drugs like benzodiazepines, alcohol, or opioids;

Talk with friends and family about responding to an overdose and using naloxone in case of an opioid overdose.

Get naloxone and learn how to use it at any pharmacy. Friends and family should learn how to use it if you overdose.

Learn more about safer drug use practices on Prevent Overdose RI.

What friends and family can do to prevent an overdose death

Call 9-1-1 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 more;

Safely dispose of all unused medications;

Help loved ones who are struggling with opioid addiction.

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.