The epidemic of opioid abuse has been in the news a lot lately. It seems to affect Americans of all ages, sexes, races, and financial status. Many of these individuals were prescribed painkillers, like morphine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone for legitimate reasons. These drugs though, are highly addictive and can cause users to go to extreme lengths to maintain their supplies. If you are worried that a loved one may overdose, purchasing naloxone kits for an emergency, can be a lifesaving plan.
If you think you might need a naloxone kit, you certainly need to take the time to learn how to use it properly in an emergency. It won't do any good if the overdose is anything other than opioid. You must learn the symptoms and signs that someone has overdosed on these drugs. You don't have to worry that your loved one will try to use naloxone to get high. Unless someone has opioids in his system, the drug is has no effect.
When the crisis comes, you must call 911 before you do anything else. Tell the operator that the victim has overdosed, is unresponsive, and that you have a drug kit on hand. When you can't get a pulse, you must start CPR and continue it until the first responders arrive or the victim starts breathing on his own.
You have to make sure this is an opioid overdose. The antidote will work on heroin, but not cocaine or methamphetamine. Next you need to make certain the person is unconscious. You shouldn't worry about physically hurting the individual right now. It is okay to shake, punch, slap, and yell in an effort to get a response.
The nasal spray is easier for many non-medical people to administer. If you have access to the spray, you will have to put the apparatus together first. Once it is assembled, you should tip the victim's head back, squirt half the antidote in one nostril, and half in the other. Wait three to five minutes. If there is no response, do it again.
Using a needle to inject the drug into a loved one is difficult when you aren't used to doing it. You must remember that naloxone is an intramuscular drug, not an intravenous one. You should inject in the biggest muscle that is available, either the arm or thigh. It will not take effect immediately. You'll have to wait up to five minutes for an improvement.
Naloxone will stop the opioid from working. It will allow the individual to begin breathing normally. It will only last thirty to ninety minutes however. So you will still need immediate help.
Living with an opioid addict makes every day a nightmare. It doesn't matter how you are related or what your feelings about drugs are. Getting the person into treatment is the number one priority. Until then, having a life saving antidote on hand, may be the only option you have.
If you think you might need a naloxone kit, you certainly need to take the time to learn how to use it properly in an emergency. It won't do any good if the overdose is anything other than opioid. You must learn the symptoms and signs that someone has overdosed on these drugs. You don't have to worry that your loved one will try to use naloxone to get high. Unless someone has opioids in his system, the drug is has no effect.
When the crisis comes, you must call 911 before you do anything else. Tell the operator that the victim has overdosed, is unresponsive, and that you have a drug kit on hand. When you can't get a pulse, you must start CPR and continue it until the first responders arrive or the victim starts breathing on his own.
You have to make sure this is an opioid overdose. The antidote will work on heroin, but not cocaine or methamphetamine. Next you need to make certain the person is unconscious. You shouldn't worry about physically hurting the individual right now. It is okay to shake, punch, slap, and yell in an effort to get a response.
The nasal spray is easier for many non-medical people to administer. If you have access to the spray, you will have to put the apparatus together first. Once it is assembled, you should tip the victim's head back, squirt half the antidote in one nostril, and half in the other. Wait three to five minutes. If there is no response, do it again.
Using a needle to inject the drug into a loved one is difficult when you aren't used to doing it. You must remember that naloxone is an intramuscular drug, not an intravenous one. You should inject in the biggest muscle that is available, either the arm or thigh. It will not take effect immediately. You'll have to wait up to five minutes for an improvement.
Naloxone will stop the opioid from working. It will allow the individual to begin breathing normally. It will only last thirty to ninety minutes however. So you will still need immediate help.
Living with an opioid addict makes every day a nightmare. It doesn't matter how you are related or what your feelings about drugs are. Getting the person into treatment is the number one priority. Until then, having a life saving antidote on hand, may be the only option you have.
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