Emergencies

What to Do if Someone Is Overdosing

Recognize the signs of opioid or fentanyl overdose and respond quickly with naloxone and emergency care.

4 min read

Emergency

If someone isn’t breathing or is unresponsive — call emergency services immediately and administer naloxone if available. Start rescue breathing and stay until help arrives.

Recognize These Overdose Signs

  • Breathing Slow, irregular, or stopped
  • Skin Pale or blue lips/fingertips
  • Pupils Pinpoint size

Source: CDC Stop Overdose, WHO 2024

Intro

Opioid overdoses can happen suddenly and silently. Knowing the warning signs — and how to respond — can mean the difference between life and death.

Key Points

  • Overdose = not breathing or very slow breathing.
  • Call emergency services immediately — time is critical.
  • Administer naloxone (Narcan) if available.
  • Stay and support breathing until help arrives.

Recognizing the Signs

  • Slow, irregular, or stopped breathing
  • Pinpoint pupils
  • Pale, clammy, or bluish skin (especially lips or fingertips)
  • Unconsciousness or inability to wake
  • Gurgling, snoring, or choking sounds

If you see these signs: assume overdose and act fast.

What to Do

  1. Call emergency services immediately.
  2. Administer naloxone. Use nasal spray or injection form if trained.
  3. Perform rescue breathing:
    • Tilt head back, lift chin, pinch nose, give one breath every 5 seconds.
  4. Place the person in recovery position (on their side) if breathing resumes.
  5. Stay until help arrives.

If there’s no naloxone: continue rescue breathing and monitor closely.

Aftercare

Even after revival, medical care is essential — naloxone wears off after 30–90 minutes, and respiratory depression can return.

Prevention Tips

  • Never use opioids alone.
  • Test substances for fentanyl when possible.
  • Avoid mixing opioids with alcohol, sedatives, or benzodiazepines.
  • Keep naloxone accessible and train family or friends to use it.

FAQ

Q: Can I get in trouble for calling emergency services?
A: Many regions have Good Samaritan laws protecting people who report overdoses.

Q: Can naloxone harm someone who isn’t overdosing?
A: No — it only reverses opioid effects.

Q: What if the person doesn’t wake up?
A: Continue rescue breathing and repeat naloxone every 2–3 minutes if available.

Further Reading