Opioids slow breathing. Too much — or opioids combined with alcohol or sleeping pills — can stop it.
Fast action by people nearby saves lives.
Key concepts
- Overdose risk is highest after a break (tolerance falls)
- Mixing depressants multiplies danger
- An antidote medicine given by trained staff reverses opioid overdose
Symptoms and signs
- Unresponsive or cannot be woken
- Very slow, noisy or no breathing; blue lips or nails
- Pinpoint pupils, limp body
Causes
- Taking more than the body is used to
- Unknown purity of street drugs
- Combining with alcohol or sedatives
Risk factors
- Release from jail or rehab
- Injecting
- Using alone
Evidence-based management
- Call 112 immediately
- Shout and gently shake; check breathing
- Place on the side (recovery position) if breathing; start CPR if not and you are trained
- Stay until help arrives; tell the medical team what was taken
When to seek professional help
- Any suspected overdose — emergency, do not wait
- After recovery from an overdose — start de-addiction treatment
- Families can book a consultation even if the person is not ready yet
Frequently asked questions
Should I pour water or make them vomit?
No. These can cause choking. Call 112, keep the airway open and place them on their side.
Will calling for help get them arrested?
The priority is saving a life; doctors' duty is medical care. Do not delay calling for help.
Medical references
Guidelines and official sources used for this article.
- Guidelines for the psychosocially assisted pharmacological treatment of opioid dependence. World Health Organization, 2009.
- International Standards for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders (revised edition). UNODC & World Health Organization, 2020.
- Author
- Dr. Kuldeep Budania, MBBS, MD Psychiatry
- Medical reviewer
- Dr. Kuldeep Budania, MD Psychiatry
- Last reviewed
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for personal medical advice.
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