Overdose Information: Signs, Response & Prevention | CATC

Overdose Information: How to Recognize and Respond to an Opioid Overdose

How to Respond to an Opioid Overdose

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If you suspect a person has overdosed, call 911 immediately then roll the individual onto their side. If you have Naloxone, known as Narcan®, administer it while waiting for Emergency Personnel to arrive.

Having the right overdose information on hand can mean the difference between life and death. If you suspect someone has overdosed, call 911 immediately, roll them onto their side, and administer naloxone (Narcan®) if available. For a full overview of programs and support available in Ontario, visit our addiction treatment resources.

Anyone with minimal training can administer naloxone. Please call us for more information about how to obtain rescue naloxone and potentially help save a life.

Once Naloxone has been administered, an individual could return to a state of overdose depending on how many opioids were in their system, so emergency personnel should still provide care and take them to the hospital for monitoring.

If someone is showing signs of an overdose, you should follow these steps:

  1. Call 911 right away and ask for an ambulance.
  2. Roll the person onto their side to prevent choking.
  3. Give the person Naloxone (Narcan®) if available. You may need to use several doses of naloxone if the patient has overdosed on a strong opioid like fentanyl. Note: Injectable naloxone is often more effective than nasal naloxone when the person is frothing from the mouth and nose. It is best to carry both types of Narcan if you are around people who use street opioids.
  4. Provide rescue breathing if the person is showing signs of respiratory distress.
  5. Stay with the person until help arrives, and keep talking to them calmly.
  6. Answer emergency personnel’s questions as best you can. The more information they have, the better their chances of helping.

Do NOT make the person vomit, put them in a cold shower, slap, or yell at them to try to keep them awake.

Risk Factors for Opioid Overdose

While an overdose can happen at any time, there are certain factors that may increase a person’s chances of experiencing a life-threatening opioid overdose. Those can include:

  • Using a drug in a way they don’t normally use it (e.g. crushing, smoking, or snorting pills, or injecting instead of swallowing).
  • Taking an opioid that their body isn’t used to or switching to a much stronger opioid, such as heroin or fentanyl.
  • Relapsing or using opioids after a period of not consuming drugs in treatment, during incarceration, or for any other reason.
  • Changing where they get their opioids.
  • Mixing street drugs and/or alcohol and/or other medications (e.g. opioid painkillers, antidepressants, sedatives, anti-seizure meds).
  • Taking a higher dose than they’re used to.
  • Is sick, has liver or kidney damage, or has an illness that affects their breathing.

How to Prevent Opioid Overdose

The best way to prevent overdose is to follow the guidance of your physician or treatment provider and not use opioids at all. There are some other ways to minimize the risk of overdose, but those should not be considered 100% safe. They include:

  • Avoid mixing drugs and alcohol. Your risk of overdose goes up if you mix opioids with alcohol, sleeping or anxiety pills, other opioids, or many prescription medications.
  • Don’t use opioids alone or in an unfamiliar setting.
  • If you’re using opioids after a period of cutting down or not using, be sure to start low and go slow. After even a few days without using, a dose that might once have been fine could kill you.
  • If you switch to a stronger opioid, use less and do a test dose.

Overdose Information and the Good Samaritan Act 

Many people hesitate to call 911 during an overdose out of fear of legal consequences. Canada’s Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act protects anyone who calls for help during an overdose, including the person who overdosed, from simple possession charges. Don’t let fear stop you from calling. 

Where to Get Naloxone in Canada

Most pharmacies across Canada offer naloxone kits free of charge without a prescription. They are also distributed through community health centres, harm reduction programs, and public health units. According to Health Canada, naloxone is one of the most effective tools available for preventing overdose deaths. If you or someone you know uses opioids, having a kit nearby is strongly recommended.

Support After an Overdose

An overdose is often a sign that someone needs more support than they’re currently receiving. Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres offers virtual addiction treatment available across Canada and inpatient programs in Ontario. Our team is available 24/7 — call us at 1-877-937-2282.

Frequently Asked Questions About Overdose Information

Q: What are the signs of an opioid overdose?
 A: Signs of an opioid overdose include slow, shallow, or stopped breathing; blue or grey lips and fingertips; pinpoint pupils; unresponsiveness or inability to wake up; gurgling or choking sounds; and limpness of the body. If you notice any of these signs, call 911 immediately.

Q: What should I do if someone is overdosing?
 A: Call 911 right away, roll the person onto their side to prevent choking, administer naloxone (Narcan®) if available, and stay with them until emergency services arrive. Do not try to make them vomit, put them in a cold shower, or slap them.

Q: How does naloxone work?
 A: Naloxone is a Health Canada-approved medication that rapidly reverses the effects of opioids on the brain and respiratory system. It can be given as a nasal spray or injection and begins working within minutes. Multiple doses may be needed for strong opioids like fentanyl. According to Health Canada, naloxone is safe and effective even if the person has not taken opioids.

Q: Will I get in trouble for calling 911 during an overdose?
 A: No. Canada’s Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act protects anyone who calls for help during an overdose, including the person who overdosed, from simple possession charges. Always call 911.

Q: Where can I get naloxone in Canada?
 A: Naloxone kits are available free at most pharmacies across Canada without a prescription, as well as through community health centres, harm reduction programs, and public health units. Contact the Ontario Harm Reduction Distribution Program at 1-866-316-2217 for a kit near you.

Q: Can someone overdose on drugs other than opioids?
 A: Yes. While opioid overdoses are most common, overdoses can also occur with alcohol, stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine, and benzodiazepines. Signs can vary by substance. If you’re unsure, call 911. It’s always better to be safe.

Q: What help is available after an overdose?
 A: An overdose is often a sign that additional support is needed. Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres offers virtual addiction treatment across Canada and inpatient programs in Ontario. Call us 24/7 at 1-877-937-2282.

Q: What help is available after an overdose?
 A: An overdose is often a sign that additional support is needed. Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres offers virtual addiction treatment across Canada and inpatient programs in Ontario. Call us 24/7 at 1-877-937-2282.

Resources for Opioid Overdose