If you think your loved one is having an opioid overdose, call 911 right away. If you have naloxone, use it as the package says. Stay with them. Watch their breathing. Follow the dispatcher's instructions while help arrives.
This guide walks through the emergency steps. Then it covers how to support recovery afterward. For broader guidance, see our guide to supporting a loved one with opioids.
We are a treatment directory publisher, not a treatment provider. If this is happening now, call 911. A referral line is not a substitute for emergency response.
The First Minutes: Recognize the Emergency and Call 911
If you think someone is having an opioid overdose, call 911 right away. Do not wait to see if they improve on their own. The FDA advises getting emergency medical help immediately in all cases of known or possible opioid overdose.[1]
Signs of an opioid overdose can include slowed, shallow, or difficult breathing, severe sleepiness, or not being able to respond or wake up.[1] Pinpoint pupils are another common sign. For a fuller list of warning signs, see our guide on recognizing an opioid overdose.
- Call 911. Tell the dispatcher what you think happened and where you are. Stay on the line until they say it's okay to hang up.
- Give naloxone if you have it. Follow the product directions carefully. The FDA states that naloxone can be given safely whenever you think an opioid overdose may have occurred.[1] It will not hurt someone who hasn't taken opioids.
- Stay with the person and watch their breathing. Keep them lying on their side if possible to help keep their airway clear. If they don't start breathing normally within a few minutes, give another dose of naloxone if you have it and the directions say to do so.
Remember that naloxone is not a replacement for emergency care. Its effects can wear off before the opioids leave the body completely, so professional medical attention is still needed even if the person wakes up.
Naloxone and Other Things People Try
When you wonder what to give when someone is overdosing, naloxone is the safest choice. It is an emergency treatment for an opioid overdose.[2] Naloxone blocks the effects of opioids. It temporarily reverses dangerous symptoms, which can help prevent death.[1] However, it does not replace calling 911 or getting medical care.
It is important to know what cancels out an overdose. Naloxone is not effective against breathing problems caused by non-opioid drugs.[3] Still, you can use it if you think opioids are involved.
Naloxone can cause sudden withdrawal symptoms in someone who depends on opioids.[4] This can be uncomfortable. But it is not a reason to skip naloxone during a suspected overdose. To learn more, read our guide on the difference between withdrawal and overdose.
| What people may think | Safer response |
|---|---|
| Giving naloxone means 911 is unnecessary. | Call 911 right away. Naloxone wears off and does not replace emergency care. |
| Coffee, food, or another substance can counteract an overdose. | Do not give food or drink. Use naloxone if you have it, and wait for help. |
| Naloxone treats every kind of overdose. | It only reverses opioid effects, but it is safe to use if you suspect opioids are involved.[3] |
| A person waking up means the emergency is over. | Stay with them until paramedics arrive. Effects can return as the medicine wears off. |
If you are unsure how to prepare, see our guide on where to get naloxone so you have it ready before an emergency happens.
How to Help Someone After an Overdose
Giving naloxone is a critical first step. But it is not the end of the emergency. Naloxone’s effects can wear off before the opioids involved. So, overdose symptoms may return.[1] Because of this, emergency medical care is still needed after naloxone is given. This is true even if the person wakes up.[5]
Share what you know about substances or medications with the responders. Do this when they arrive. Do not delay calling 911 to look for this information. Knowing what was taken helps the medical team choose the right care.
What Happens Next
Knowing what to do in the hours and days after an overdose can help you support your loved one safely. Here is a general timeline of what to expect.
While waiting for help
Stay with the person. Keep them on their side if they are unconscious but breathing. Watch their breathing closely until emergency responders take over.
After emergency evaluation
Let the medical team check the person fully. They will decide if further treatment is needed based on their vital signs and condition.
The following days
Talk about next steps once they are medically stable. This is a good time to discuss follow-up care and support options when everyone is calm and rested.
Checklist for Family Members
Use this checklist to help organize your thoughts and actions after the immediate crisis passes. Having a plan can reduce stress for you and your loved one.
After Emergency Help Arrives
Your ticks are saved on this device only.
Learning how to help someone after an overdose involves more than just saving their life in the moment. It also means staying engaged as they navigate recovery and find lasting support after an overdose.
Offer Support and Connect Them With Ongoing Care
After the immediate danger has passed, your role shifts from emergency responder to steady support. Supporting a loved one with opioid use disorder takes patience, clear communication, and knowing where to turn for help. You don't need to have all the answers. You just need to keep the door open. Our guide on how to talk to loved one about opioids offers a calm plan for those difficult conversations.
- Choose a calm moment. Try to talk when everyone is rested and not in crisis. Avoid conversations right after an incident if emotions are still high.
- Describe your concern without blame. Use "I" statements like "I was scared when I found you," rather than accusations. Focus on safety and health, not moral judgment.
- Ask what support they want. Ask, "What kind of help would feel useful right now?" Let them lead the conversation if possible. Shame and threats often push people away; connection keeps them engaged.
- Offer one specific next step. Instead of saying "get help," offer to drive them to an appointment or sit with them while they call a doctor. Small, concrete offers are easier to accept than vague demands.
If you suspect another overdose at any point, call 911 immediately. Do not wait for a conversation to happen first.
Treatment Is Available and Effective
Opioid use disorder is a treatable medical condition.[6] It is not a character flaw or a lack of willpower. There are evidence-based treatments that can help people stabilize their health and rebuild their lives.
Three medications are FDA-approved for treating opioid use disorder: methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.[7] A clinician can explain how these work and which might fit your loved one's situation. Treatment plans should be individualized based on a person's specific needs and circumstances.[8]
Finding the Right Path Forward
You don't have to navigate this alone or figure out every detail yourself. If your loved one is ready to look for care, you can help them explore options together. Our guide on how to find opioid treatment for loved one walks through questions to ask providers and what to expect during intake.
If your loved one has already been in treatment and returned to using, know that this is common in recovery journeys. Read our guide on the response to opioid relapse for steps that prioritize safety over punishment.
Choose the Right Help After the Immediate Emergency
After the immediate danger passes, you still need to know where to turn. This quick check helps you sort out what kind of help comes next. It cannot diagnose an overdose, withdrawal, or any mental health condition. It also cannot replace professional judgment.
Here is how the main numbers work:
- 911 is for an active medical emergency. Call it if someone is unconscious, not breathing normally, or showing signs of an overdose.[9]
- 988 is for suicidal thoughts or emotional distress. Call or text 988 to reach a trained crisis counselor anytime.[10]
- Treatment referral lines help you find ongoing care. The SAMHSA National Helpline offers free, confidential referrals for substance use and mental health needs 24 hours a day.[11]
Use this self-check only when there are no danger signs right now. If there are seizures, severe confusion, hallucinations, a high fever or racing heart during withdrawal, signs of an overdose, or thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call 911 or go to the emergency room now; for suicidal thoughts, call or text 988. No score can reassure you if you answered yes to a danger sign.
What Kind of Help Is Needed Now?
This self-check is for information only and isn't a diagnosis.
If Your Loved One Died: Finding Support for Grief
I am so sorry for your loss. Losing someone to an overdose is a profound shock, and there is no right way or right timeline to grieve. Please know that this outcome was not your fault, even if you feel guilt or anger. You did not cause this, and you could not have controlled it alone.
Grieving a death from substance use can bring complicated feelings, such as shame, stigma, or unanswered questions. You deserve support that honors your relationship and your pain. Talking with a trusted friend, a grief counselor, or a support group can help you process these emotions safely. If grief is making it hard to eat, sleep, work, or function day to day, please reach out to a mental health professional.
If you have been caring for someone with addiction for a long time, you may also be dealing with exhaustion and stress that started before the death. Learning about caregiver burnout addiction family can help you understand what you have been through and find ways to heal. You can also search for local treatment programs if you are looking for specialized grief support or counseling services in your area.
Finding Support After a Loss
Your ticks are saved on this device only.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I give someone who is overdosing?
Call 911 right away. If you think it is an opioid overdose, use naloxone if you have it. Follow the directions on the package. The FDA approved Narcan nasal spray for over-the-counter sale in 2023.[12] This means you can buy it at many pharmacies without a prescription. Do not give the person food, drink, or other substances. Stay with them until help arrives.
What cancels out an overdose?
Home remedies do not cancel out an overdose. Coffee, cold showers, and making the person vomit are not safe fixes. Poison Control advises against inducing vomiting unless a medical professional specifically directs it.[13] Call 911 immediately. If you suspect opioids and have naloxone, use it while you wait for help.
Should I let someone sleep after an overdose?
Do not assume that sleep means the danger has passed. Call 911 if you suspect an overdose, and stay with the person. Follow instructions from emergency responders. If you used naloxone, they still need to be checked by a doctor. Naloxone's effects generally last about 30 to 90 minutes.[14] Some opioids last longer than that, so symptoms can return after the naloxone wears off.
How do I support a loved one after an overdose?
Ask your loved one what support feels helpful right now. Offer practical help without blame or shame. One conversation is not a substitute for professional care. You can offer to help arrange an appointment or look into treatment together. Treatment with methadone or buprenorphine after a nonfatal opioid overdose is associated with lower all-cause mortality.[15]
How can I get help if my loved one is grieving an overdose death?
Grieving this kind of loss is hard and isolating. Offer to help them contact a grief counselor or a trusted friend. Look for peer support groups for people affected by substance-related loss. If they may harm themselves or cannot stay safe, call 911 or go to an emergency room. For suicidal thoughts, call or text 988.
