Opioid Overdose Support
Opioid overdoses have reached epidemic proportions in the United States in recent years. Naloxone is able to reverse an opioid overdose and may make the difference between life and death. Find out everything you need to know to save a life.
Overdose Prevention
Drug overdoses have been on the rise over the past decade, and this trend has only accelerated since COVID-19 emerged. According to the CDC, the 12 months from May 2019 to May 2020 saw over 81,000 overdose deaths, which is the highest number of overdose deaths ever reported in a 12-month period. It is more important now than ever to be prepared in the event of an overdose. Being able to accurately identify an overdose, summon medical help, and render aid while medical professionals are en route may mean the difference between someone living or dying.
Opioid Overdoses During 2020
As of this writing (December 2020), the data from opioid overdose deaths in 2020 is still being collected. Ever since 1999, opioid overdoses have been increasing; sometimes steadily, sometimes drastically. There have been 3 major waves of opioid overdose increases over the last 2 decades, and these are linked to the introduction, or increase in the availability of, different opioid drugs.
The steady rise in overdose deaths since 2013 can be directly linked to the presence of illicit fentanyl that is seized by police in the area. A study conducted by the CDC in Ohio and Florida from 2013 to 2015 found a shockingly close correlation between the amounts of fentanyl seized by police and opioid overdose deaths. As more fentanyl was seized, synthetic opioid overdose deaths increased.
The overdose trend may be difficult to track through the pandemic, but there are some very worrying indicators that trouble may lie ahead. One study found that even though drug testing has decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, the percentage of fentanyl-positive tests has increased significantly. Using history as a guide, this trend will likely result in an increase in opioid overdose deaths.
What Does An Opioid Overdose Look Like?
The first step toward helping someone who may be overdosing on opioids is to identify the overdose. Opioid overdoses may look similar to other depressant overdoses on the surface, but there may be some key indicators to tell them apart.
Some of the identifying characteristics of an opioid overdose may include:
Very Small Pupils
Slow, Shallow, and Labored Breathing (sometimes wheezing)
Gray or Bluish Skin and Face
Unconsciousness (with an inability to wake up)
Constant Itching
Low Blood Pressure
Vomiting
Seizures (very rare, but possible)
The most common cause of death in an opioid overdose is breathing depression. Someone may breathe too slowly, or even stop breathing entirely, which leads to permanent brain and organ damage and finally death. Luckily, opioids have an extremely effective and widely available “antidote” or reversal medication known as naloxone. This medication can literally pull opioids out of the brain, causing someone to go from an opioid-induced stupor to full consciousness within minutes. This can reverse the dangerous breathing depression that is caused by an opioid overdose and may be the decisive factor in saving someone’s life.
Step By Step Emergency Treatment of an Overdose
There are 3 very simple steps that can make the difference between someone surviving an opioid overdose or not:
Finding Naloxone
Many people may have heard of naloxone by now, but knowing where and how to get naloxone is another story. Also known by brand names like Narcan or Evzio, naloxone has become more widely available in recent years due to its effectiveness at reversing opioid overdoses. Depending on the state, someone may be able to pick up naloxone without a prescription, while other states allow a pharmacist to write a prescription on the spot.
As far as national naloxone access, here is an interactive map that provides laws in each state regarding naloxone access and use. This map, as well as the one below, are accurate as of 2017, so make sure to talk to a doctor or pharmacist in your area to get more current information.
Once you are aware of the laws in your state, you may be able to get naloxone. There are a lot of different places to get naloxone, including common pharmacies as well as delivery services. There are also different types of naloxone, such as generic or brand name. A generic naloxone prescription will usually cost much less to get filled than a brand name such as Narcan or Evzio.
Some nation-wide naloxone access resources include:
Using Naloxone
Naloxone prescriptions usually come with a clear set of instructions that will walk someone through how to use them during an overdose. It is also possible to talk to the pharmacist that fills the prescription to get a quick rundown of how to use naloxone. That being said, it may be wise to be as prepared as possible and get as much information or training as you can before the need arises.
Suicide by Overdose
Suicide by overdose is more common than one might think. One study of 11 U.S. states between January 2011 and December 2012 and national data from 2012 and 2016 found that there were just over 420,000 drug-involved suicide attempts that resulted in just over 21,000 deaths. While opioids were present in only 15-17% of drug-involved suicide attempts, they were over 5x more likely to result in death.
The higher likelihood to die from an intentional opioid overdose is concerning, due to the widespread availability of legitimate prescription opioids and illicit opioids. If someone is struggling with mental health issues such as depression, then they may have an increased risk of a successful suicide attempt if opioids are involved.
The Link Between Mental Illness and Opioid Abuse
“Although the relationship between mental health and pain management is complex, we find that as a population, adults with mental health disorders receive more than half of all opioid prescriptions distributed each year in the United States.”
Excerpt from The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine July–August 2017 Vol. 30 No. 4, Page 415
While opioid abuse does not cause mental illness, and mental illness does not cause opioid abuse, there does appear to be a strong connection between the two. Studies vary, but there is a clear trend for those suffering from mental illnesses, particularly mood and anxiety disorders, to have a much higher co-occurrence of substance abuse issues.
For example, one study found that 19.67% of people with a substance use disorder had at least one mood disorder during the same year. Additionally, 17.71% of people with a substance use disorder have an anxiety disorder during the same year. The reverse trend also holds true. Of those with a mood disorder, 19.97% had at least one substance use disorder, and of those with an anxiety disorder, 14.96% had a substance use disorder. These are averaged, and specific mood or anxiety disorders had a higher correlation to substance use disorders.
While the exact numbers can vary between specific substances, mental health issues, and individuals there is a much higher co-occurrence of drug dependence and mental health issues as opposed to drug abuse and mental health issues. As far as opioids are concerned, almost half of all people with an opioid dependence meet the diagnostic criteria for a mood or anxiety disorder.
Again, the exact relationship is unclear but there is some significant overlap between drug or alcohol addiction and mental health issues. What is clear, is that unless someone receives treatment for both conditions at the same time, their chances of achieving long-term sobriety are much lower.
Next Steps
While naloxone can prevent a fatal overdose, it cannot address the root cause, which is opioid addiction. Recovering from opioid addiction requires going through opioid withdrawal, and while this is rarely fatal, it can be very uncomfortable. Entering a medical detox center can reduce the discomfort and improve the chances of successfully completing the withdrawal and detox process. Once detox is completed, it is often recommended that someone seek further treatment at an inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment program.
The presence of mental illness can increase the risk of relapse and negative outcomes. Finding a dual diagnosis treatment center is crucial if someone wants to receive the most comprehensive care possible. These types of treatment centers specialize in treating co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders and have the experience and expertise to provide someone with the best possible chance of achieving long-term recovery.