OVERDOSE HAPPENS
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Recovery is defined as a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full Thepotential.purpose of this booklet is to offer hope & encouragement because overdose death is 100% Thepreventable.focusof the information in this booklet is to reduce the risks of overdose and provide tools to help people look out for each other. Tips include knowing the signs of an overdose, how to respond, and how to get free harm reduction materials. Everyone can save a life with the information in this booklet.
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Naloxone/Narcan is only effective on opioids and not other drugs.
Naloxone is a medication that blocks the effects of opioids. Naloxone is most commonly known as Narcan. It gives someone who is overdosing the ability to breathe again. Everyone, especially those who use drugs, should carry naloxone. Any person can be in a position to help save a life.
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FENTANYL TEST STRIPS • ANY PILL OR POWDER CAN CONTAIN FENTANYL. • FENTANYL TEST STRIPS CAN TELL YOU WHAT IS IN YOUR BAG (BUT NOT HOW MUCH). • IF A SUPPLY CONTAINS FENTANYL, GO SLOW, DON’T USE ALONE, CARRY NALOXONE, AND PRACTICE HARM REDUCTION. • TO CONTACTTESTFREEACCESSFENTANYLSTRIPS,H2RC. Windsor County VT and Grafton County NH Sullivan603-448-8887County NH 603-276-9698 H2RC-NaloxBook-0321.indd 4 3/17/21 8:05 AM
GOOD SAMARITAN LAW VERMONT LAW PROTECTS PEOPLE FROM LIABILITY IF THEY ADMINISTER NALOXONE IN GOOD FAITH. For more information visit injury/opioid-overdose-https://www.healthvermont.gov/emergency/prevention Video on Good Samaritan Law https://www.healthvermont.gov/naloxone H2RC-NaloxBook-0321.indd 5 3/17/21 8:05 AM
An opioid overdose happens when too much of an opioid enters the brain and slows down the brainstem. The brainstem is important because it tells the body to breathe.
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To put it simply, an opioid overdose is the body losing the urge to breathe.
WHAT IS AN OPIOID OVERDOSE?
KNOW THE SIGNS. • LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS. • UNRESPONSIVE TO VERBAL AND PHYSICAL STIMULATION. • BREATHING IS SHALLOW. MAY SOUND LIKE GURGLING/SNORING. • PALE OR BLUISH COMPLEXION. • BODY COULD BE LIMP OR RIGID. • PULSE IS SLOW, ERRATIC, OR NOT PRESENT. • PINNED PUPILS (LIFT EYELIDS). NOT RESPONDING Doesn’t move and can’t be woken. MAKING SOUNDS Choking, gurgling sounds or snoring. BLUE LIPS AND NAILS COLD CLAMMYORSKIN TINYPUPILS(PINNED) SLOW/NO BREATHING A breath every 5 seconds is normal. SIGNS OF AN OPIOID OVERDOSE: THINK LACK OF OXYGEN. H2RC-NaloxBook-0321.indd 7 3/17/21 8:05 AM
HOW TO RESPOND TO AN OPIOID OVERDOSE 1. Yell and rub the sternum. 2. Give naloxone. Peel it open. Pressfit into their nostril. Press the trigger. Nasal Narcan takes 3 minutes to start working. 3. Call 911 and clear any crowds. 4. Perform rescue breathing with a CPR mask. 5. After 3 minutes, if the person is still out, give them a second dose of naloxone. 6. Continue rescue breaths. 7. If they start to respond place them in the recovery position. 8. Some people need additional doses of naloxone every 3 minutes. 9. Naloxone only lasts 30-90 minutes so it is important to be seen by a medical professional for an overdose event. H2RC-NaloxBook-0321.indd 8 3/17/21 8:05 AM
RESCUE BREATHS 101 Place person facing upright. Tilt head back. Lift chin. Hold nose. Give two small breaths of your oxygen into their lungs, just enough to see their chest rise. Carry a CPR mask so you can give rescue breaths while reducing the risk of disease transmission. For more information on rescue breaths go to: https://youtu.be/wUJ-BIEY7H0. CARRY A CPR MASK SO YOU CAN GIVE RESCUE BREATHS WITHOUT DISEASE TRANSMISSION.! H2RC-NaloxBook-0321.indd 9 3/17/21 8:05 AM
person know if you have called 911. If they try to run don’t restrain them.
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Getting revived by naloxone can be very unpleasant. The person may be disoriented, agitated and in pain. Give them space, air and time to re-adjust before asking too many questions. DO NOT get in their Imagineface!if your brain was turned off and then back on really quickly, and when you come to you have no memory recall and you’re in a lot of pain. Being revived with naloxone can cause extreme anxiety during which a person can feel hot and cold, and be sweating and shivering. A person may be angry or panicked, this is normal.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER NALOXONE
Calmly let the person know what happened. Tell them they may have overdosed and that you used Naloxone to reverse their overdose. Ask the person how they are feeling. Provide them with non-judgemental support.
Ask them if they need anything, a cold glass of water, to sit and talk, a cool damp cloth for their Letneck.the
OPIOID PROHARMAFTERCARE:OVERDOSEREDUCTIONTIPS Treat the person with dignity and respect. Ask the person what they want before assuming what they need. Be practical and realistic. Recognize that people make decisions based on their circumstances. The first several hours after an OD are not time for an “intervention”. H2RC-NaloxBook-0321.indd 11 3/17/21 8:05 AM
OVERDOSE AND BRAIN INJURY
In an overdose event, if the brain has not had oxygen for 3 minutes or more, there is a chance that the person may have a brain injury. This may impact a person’s recovery journey and require some help from experts. These types of brain injuries are often referred to as anoxic brain injuries.
If you or someone you know may be living with a brain injury from an overdose, it is important to talk to a medical professional that you trust. You may need a referral to a neurologist. To learn more about a brain injury contact the Vermont Brain Injury Association at 1-877-856-1772 or https:www.biavt.org/
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Also known as overamping, a stimulant overdose does not look like an opioid overdose. It can look like a lot of things depending on the drug, person and setting. STIMULANT OVERDOSE PHYSICAL SIGNS: • Overheating • Increased heart rate • Dehydration • Sweating • Rigid or flailing limbs • Trouble seeing • Drooling or frothing at the mouth • Muscle spasms • Trouble walking and talking • Difficulty breathing • Vibrating vision MENTAL SIGNS: • Paranoia • Anxiety • Psychosis • Confusion • Aggression • Mood swings • Hallucinations H2RC-NaloxBook-0321.indd 13 3/17/21 8:05 AM
back
• If
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TO DO: • Stimulant overdose can lead to seizure, stroke, heart attack, organ problems, or even death. When you hear stimulant overdose think “overheating”. • Call medical professionals. • Offer the person a drink of water. • Remove as
STIMULANT OVERDOSE
WHAT much stimulus from the person feels safe. Offer a cool cloth to put on their forehead or the of their neck. the person tries to run, do not try to stop them.
the environment as possible. • Ensure
• Polysubstance use means using more than one drug at a time.
•
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POLYSUBSTANCE USE
• If someone overdoses on multiple drugs, it can be more difficult to reverse than a typical opioid overdose. Narcan reverses an opioid overdose, but that doesn’t matter if the person has consumed too much cocaine, benzos, meth, alcohol, or other nonopioid drugs. If Narcan isn’t working, please call 911 and let medical professionals help you save a life.
• Using drugs this way is unpredictable. Some people may not know they are using more than one drug, which can be dangerous.
• Most fatal overdoses are caused by using multiple drugs at one time.
•
•
• Use with others and carry Narcan. Set personal limits and take breaks. Eat. Sleep. Drink water. Seek care and challenge yourself to improve your health however you want.
• When using multiple substances, it is important to know what you are using and to practice harm reduction strategies such as:
Carry naloxone, learn Rescue Breathing, and NEVER USE ALONE. If you must use alone, please go to www.neverusealone.com.TestyoursupplyusingFentanyl
Test Strips available at the HIV/HCV Resource Center.
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for help in Windsor County VT and Grafton County NH, for help in Sullivan County NH call 603-276-9698.
HOW CAN A PERSON WHO USES DRUGS REDUCE THEIR RISK OF OVERDOSE?
Challenge yourself to improve where you can and ask for help when you need it.
Wait to use until you feel in control. Choose your setting wisely. Take your time and go slow. You can do more later, but you can’t take it out after it’s in you.
Eat nutritious food, drink clean water, get enough sleep, and practice SELF CARE.
Limit use if you have an illness that affects your lungs or Don’theart. mix substances, especially alcohol and benzos.
For judgement free support and understanding, call 603-448-8887
NALTREXONE • Start at least 7 days after last opioid use, after opioid withdrawal. • Reduces cravings by blocking the effects of opioids. • Daily dosing by pill or 28-day injection (Vivitrol). SUBOXONE • Satisfies opioid receptors in the brain. • Calms withdrawal symptoms and reduces craving. • Individual must start to withdraw before they can start this medication. • Daily dosing by pill or film or 28-day injection (Sublocade). METHADONE • Calms withdrawal symptoms and reduces craving. • No need to enter withdrawal before starting this medication. • Usually monitored daily dosing at “methadone clinics”. MEDICATION USED TO TREAT OPIOID USE DISORDER H2RC-NaloxBook-0321.indd 17 3/17/21 8:05 AM
We all struggle with something, and we all need help sometimes. People who have a problematic relationship to drugs and alcohol are on a natural path towards recovery. Many people just need a first aid kit and a trail guide to improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and reach their full potential. We hope these resources will help you along your journey.
LOCAL RESOURCES
Alcohol802-565-5465Vthelplink.organdDrugSupport Center H2RC-NaloxBook-0321.indd 18 3/17/21 8:05 AM
OUTPATIENT MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT Better Life Partners: Call/ Text: 1 (866) info@betterlifepartners.com679-0831 Bradford Psychiatric Associates: White River Junction (802) 281-6364 Connecticut Valley Addiction Recovery: (802)Windsor674-9400 Groups Recover Together: Claremont (603) 331-4804 Lebanon (603) 331-4804 Habit OpCo: Methadone Treatment Hub Brattleboro (802) 349-1880 West Lebanon (603) 298-2143 SaVida Health: Springfield (802) 231-4486 H2RC-NaloxBook-0321.indd 19 3/17/21 8:05 AM
REHABINPATIENT Brattleboro Retreat - Brattleboro (802) 257-7785 Valley Vista - Bradford (802) 222-5201 Serenity House – Wallingford (802) 446-2640 All take Medicaid H2RC-NaloxBook-0321.indd 20 3/17/21 8:05 AM
MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES Clara Martin Community Center - Wilder* (802) 295-1311 HCRS* Same Day Hartford (802) 295-3031 885-220-9430 Springfield (802) 886-4500 885-220-9429 24/7 Crisis Line (800)*Takes622-4235Medicaid and has a sliding fee scale H2RC-NaloxBook-0321.indd 21 3/17/21 8:05 AM
RECOVERY CENTERS A safe, supportive, judgement-free environment is available to those in, or seeking to be in recovery. Recovery Centers are also a great place for friends and family seeking support and connection. All services are free and include recovery coaching, access to Narcan, groups (virtual and in person) and family support. Turning Point Recovery Centers Springfield (802) 885-4668 White River Jct. (802) 295-5206 H2RC-NaloxBook-0321.indd 22 3/17/21 8:05 AM
SYRINGE PROGRAMSSERVICE For harm reduction services, sterile injection equipment, safe sharps disposal, Narcan, fentanyl test strips, rapid HIV and HCV testing, education, referrals, and peer to peer support. HIV/HCV Resource Center Claremont (603) (603)Mobile(603)Lebanon/WRJ/Springfield276-9698448-8887306-7168or(603)306-1105 H2RC-NaloxBook-0321.indd 23 3/17/21 8:05 AM
YOUR MATTERS.LIFE
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