An opioid overdose happens when opioids disrupt your brain’s ability to regulate breathing. It can cause someone to stop breathing and may be fatal without quick treatment.
Here are some of the telltale signs that someone is experiencing an opioid overdose:
- You can’t wake the person up.
- Their breathing has slowed or stopped.
- They make gurgling, snoring or choking sounds.
- Their body is limp.
- Their skin is cold and clammy.
- Their pupils are very small.
By quickly recognizing the signs of opioid overdose, lifesaving naloxone can be administered to temporarily reverse the effects and allow time for medical help to arrive.
You can get a free naloxone kit at many Ontario pharmacies, including the CAMH Outpatient Pharmacy.
One kit could save a life.
