Every second counts. Those three words capture the reality of an opioid overdose. It can happen anywhere: at home, in a car, at a family gathering. It can happen to someone you love. And knowing what to do in that moment can mean the difference between life and loss.
April 29 is National Fentanyl Awareness Day, and this year we’re using it as a call to action. Fentanyl is the leading cause of overdose death in the United States, and its presence in the drug supply has made it more urgent than ever for everyday people to be prepared. One of the most important ways you can show up for your community is by learning about naloxone: what it is, how it works, and how to access it near you.
At Gibson Center for Behavioral Change, we believe that awareness is one of the most powerful tools in fighting the opioid crisis. That’s why we’re committed to making sure our community knows how to recognize an overdose, how to respond, and where to find the life-saving medication that can help.
What Is an Opioid Overdose?
An opioid overdose occurs when someone takes more of an opioid, such as fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, or morphine, than their body can safely process. The opioids overwhelm the brain’s receptors, slowing or completely stopping breathing. Without oxygen, brain damage can occur within minutes.
The rise of fentanyl in the drug supply has made this risk more urgent than ever. Fentanyl is extraordinarily potent, and because it’s often mixed into other substances without the user’s knowledge, overdoses can happen even to people who don’t realize they’ve been exposed.
How to Recognize an Overdose
Knowing the signs is the first step. If someone around you shows any of the following, treat it as a medical emergency:
- Unresponsive or unconscious
- Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing
- Gurgling or choking sounds
- Blue or grayish lips, fingertips, or skin
- Pinpoint pupils
- Limp body
If you see these signs, act immediately. Do not wait to see if they “sleep it off.” Time is critical.
What to Do: Step by Step
1. Call 911 First: Call for emergency medical help right away. Stay on the line. Missouri’s Good Samaritan Law provides legal protection to people who call 911 to report an overdose in good faith. You don’t have to be afraid to make that call.
2. Administer Naloxone: If you have naloxone on hand, use it immediately. Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, is an FDA-approved medication that rapidly reverses opioid overdose. It works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, blocking the effects of opioids, and restoring normal breathing within minutes.
3. Perform Rescue Breathing If Needed: If the person is not breathing, give rescue breaths while you wait for naloxone to take effect or for help to arrive.
4. Place Them in the Recovery Position: If the person is breathing but unconscious, roll them onto their side to prevent choking.
5. Stay with Them: Naloxone’s effects are temporary, typically 30 to 90 minutes. Because opioids can outlast naloxone in the body, a second dose may be needed, and professional medical care is always necessary after administration. Don’t leave until help arrives.
Why Naloxone Is Safe for Anyone to Use
One of the biggest barriers to carrying naloxone is fear. Fear of doing it wrong, fear of making things worse, or fear of legal consequences. We want to put those fears to rest.
Naloxone is very safe. It has no opioid effects of its own, which means it cannot be misused or cause harm. It is impossible to overdose on naloxone. If administered to someone who is not experiencing an opioid overdose, it simply will not have a recovery effect. Side effects are minimal, such as some mild nausea or agitation, and they are far outweighed by the potential to save a life.
Naloxone is also designed to be simple to use, even in high-stress situations. Nasal spray versions require no needles or medical training. And as noted above, Missouri’s Good Samaritan laws protect those who administer naloxone in good faith. You are protected when you step up to help.
Where to Get Naloxone for Free
You don’t need a prescription, and you don’t need to spend a dime. Gibson Center for Behavioral Change now offers free naloxone nasal spray and injectable options through our Naloxone Vending Machines. These machines are available so that anyone in our community can access this life-saving medication quickly and without barriers, any time of day or night.
Find a Naloxone Vending Machine location near you.
At Gibson Center for Behavioral Change, we’re here not just to treat addiction, but to protect and support our entire community. Whether you’re in recovery, supporting a loved one, or simply want to be prepared, we’re in this together.