Signs of Abuse / Overdose
Every person is unique, so the signs and symptoms may be different. Below are a few common indicators:
Abuse
- Changes in behaviors and attitude
- Missing medication
- Missing spoons from the kitchen (used for heroin)
- Borrowing money or unexplained disappearance of money or valuable
- Attempts to hide needle marks with long sleeves or band aids
- Constant scratching
- Discarded syringes
- Extreme drowsiness
- Compulsive drug seeking and use despite serious adverse consequences
- A higher priority given to opioid use than other activities and obligations
- Higher tolerance - meaning needing more to get the same effect
- Physical dependence and/or addiction
- Physical withdrawal when discontinued opioid use (restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps, and involuntary leg movements)
Overdose
- Lips or nails turning blue
- Loud snoring or gurgling sounds*
- Person is breathing very slowly or not at all
- Seizures
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Pinpoint pupils
- Loss of consciousness
- Cannot wake the person when you yell their name or rub your knuckles on their breast bone (sternal rub)
- Coma
- Possible death
*Never assume that someone is just asleep if they use an opioid – always attempt to rouse.
In the event of an overdose:
Step 1- CALL 911
- Give address/location
- Say “I can’t wake my friend up”
- You don’t need to tell the operator that drugs were taken
Step 2: CHECK FOR BREATHING
- Open airway (tilt head, lift chin)
- Make sure there is nothing in the mouth
- Check for signs of life (movement and breathing for no more than 10 seconds)
Step 3: RESCUE BREATHING
- Tilt head back, lift chin, pinch nose
- If no breathing, give two rescue breaths
- Give a breath every five seconds
- If breathing, place in recovery position and monitor airway, breathing, and circulation
- Stay with the individual until help arrives
