Opioid Overdose: Preventing, Identifying, and Risk Factors

Steps to prevent an opioid overdose:

• Contact PreventEd to talk to a counselor about a referral to treatment
• Never use when alone
• Be extra careful after a period of abstinence
• Never mix opioids with alcohol or other substances
• Have Narcan available
• Make sure others know how to administer Narcan

Identifying an opioid overdose:

• Shallow or no breathing
• Pinpoint pupils
• Blue/Gray lips or fingernails
• Cold and clammy skin

Risk factors for experiencing an opioid overdose:

• Recreational use of opioids
• Mixing opioids with other prescriptions, alcohol, or other illegal substances
• Using opioids from a new source or in a new location
• Use of opioids after a period of abstinence