In 2021, over 107,000 lives were lost due to a drug overdose, an average of 295 people per day. This makes drug overdose a leading cause of death for Americans ages 18-45. Of this total, 66 percent of overdose deaths were attributable to opioids such as heroin.
Heroin is a significant problem in Arizona. Over 1,000 non-fatal overdoses have been reported in Maricopa County this year, and nearly 32 percent of them were in individuals between the ages of 25 and 34.
Wolf Creek Recovery is located in Yavapai County, but many of the people we serve are from the Phoenix area. We understand the dangers of the opioid crisis and how it’s affecting Arizonans. We are here to support those who want to get better using a combination of evidence-based and alternative therapies. Our staff is also in recovery so you never have to feel alone when you start this journey.
Let’s learn more about heroin overdose, the signs and symptoms to watch for, and how to intervene if this situation happens to a loved one.
An Overview of Heroin Overdose
Do you know someone who is using heroin? It’s normal to be concerned about how it can affect them short-term and long-term, and their risk for overdose. While you want to avoid enabling someone’s heroin use, there are safer ways to use the substance, and recognizing the signs of overdose and carrying naloxone are two ways to reduce the harm heroin can cause.
What Is a Heroin Overdose?
A heroin overdose occurs when someone takes a toxic amount of the substance, leading to life-threatening symptoms and potentially fatal complications. No amount of heroin is safe, but overdose is more likely to occur in individuals who use heroin frequently or in large quantities. Heroin is an opioid, and overdosing on it can severely suppress the central nervous system, causing respiratory failure, loss of consciousness, and death.
Early Warning Signs of a Potential Heroin Overdose
Heroin overdose can progress quickly, so early intervention is crucial in saving lives. By recognizing the signs and symptoms of a potential overdose, you can seek immediate medical support.
Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Overdose
Physical signs:
- Extreme sleepiness
- Nodding off
- Slow or shallow breathing
- Pinpoint pupils
- Cold or clammy skin
- Bluish skin color
- Weak pulse
- Low blood pressure
Behavioral and mental signs:
- Confusion or disorientation
- Extreme lethargy
- Slurred speech
- Unresponsiveness
- Hallucinations or delirium
Dangers of an Overdose
Heroin overdose is a severe and potentially deadly medical emergency that can lead to numerous dangerous complications. Understanding these dangers can help individuals recognize the urgency of the situation and the importance of seeking immediate medical help. The primary dangers of a heroin overdose are:
- Respiratory depression, such as slowed or stopped breathing
- Cardiovascular complications, including irregular heartbeat and cardiac arrest
- Lack of oxygen to the brain, leading to brain damage or coma
- Pulmonary edema from fluid in the lungs
- Rhabdomyolysis, the breakdown of muscle tissue that releases toxins into the bloodstream
- Kidney damage and failure
- Low body temperature
What to Do In the Event of an Overdose
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a heroin overdose is important, but it’s equally important to know how to handle this situation. Panicking can make things worse for both you and the individual experiencing the overdose. The first step is to call 911 so that help can arrive quickly. Let the operator know about the person’s condition and location.
If you have access to naloxone, you’ll want to administer it next. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that can reverse the effects of a heroin overdose. If using an injectable form, follow the instructions on the packaging. If using a nasal spray, insert the nozzle into one nostril and press the plunger to administer the dose. Administering naloxone does not replace the need for medical attention. In fact, it’s not uncommon for individuals to need more than one dose of naloxone. The goal of this medication is to restore the person’s breathing until help arrives.
You may also need to provide basic first aid, such as checking the person for breathing, monitoring their vital signs, and keeping them awake. If the person is unconscious but breathing, put them in the recovery position (on their side with the body supported with a bent knee) to keep the airways clear.
Who Is Most at Risk of a Heroin Overdose?
Heroin overdose can affect anyone who uses the substance, but certain risk factors make it more likely to happen. Identifying more vulnerable individuals can help prevent overdoses.
People who use heroin with other substances or have previously overdosed on the substance are most at risk for overdose. Individuals with reduced tolerance due to recent abstinence are also at a higher risk, such as those who have recently detoxed, been incarcerated, or completed a rehabilitation program. Those who do not use heroin regularly, including people new to heroin, are also at an increased risk for overdose because they may not be aware of the potency of the substance they are taking.
Risk Factors for Heroin Overdose
There are additional risk factors that can contribute to the potential for overdose:
- Having a co-occurring mental health condition
- Living in a high-stress or traumatic environment
- Having a chronic health condition, especially respiratory or cardiovascular issues
- Taking heroin to self-medicate
- Using heroin alone with no one available to administer naloxone
Understanding the Common Signs of Heroin Overdose
Understanding who is at risk for heroin overdose can inform prevention strategies and interventions. Education and awareness are crucial, as it’s important for people to understand the dangers of heroin use, the signs of overdose, and safe use practices. Making naloxone readily available to people who use heroin and their families is also crucial. While there are ways to use heroin in safer ways, the better option is to cut it out of your life completely. This is the only way to ensure that an overdose won’t happen.
What Are the Treatment Options for Heroin in Prescott, AZ?
Recovery from heroin is a lifelong process that starts with heroin addiction treatment and moving on to evidence-based therapies. Behavioral therapies teach new ways of thinking, behaving, and coping with stress. Sometimes, medications are used to manage withdrawal symptoms, decrease cravings, and treat the symptoms of co-occurring mental health disorders. Both approaches help to restore normal brain function and behavior, and change lives.
When you need support for a heroin use disorder, Wolf Creek Recovery is here for you. Located in beautiful Prescott, AZ, we have ample opportunities for clients to spend time outdoors enjoying healthy, rewarding activities like basketball, pickleball, and hiking. When coupled with evidence-based therapies and holistic practices like yoga, meditation, and recreation therapy, our clients can build a life they love. Find hope and healing at Wolf Creek Recovery — call us today at 833-732-8202.
FAQs About Heroin Overdose
What is a heroin overdose?
A heroin overdose happens when a person takes too much of the substance and it overwhelms their body. Overdose can happen quickly and progress even faster, which is why recognizing a potential overdose is crucial.
What are the symptoms of a heroin overdose?
Some of the main warning signs of a heroin overdose are nodding off, loss of consciousness, extreme lethargy, low blood pressure, weak pulse, cold, clammy skin, and slow or shallow breathing.
Who is most at risk for heroin overdose?
Anyone who uses heroin can experience an overdose, however, it is more common in individuals who use heroin frequently or in large quantities. Those who have reduced tolerance due to recent abstinence are also at a higher risk, as their bodies aren’t used to taking the same amount of heroin as before.
Can a heroin overdose be reversed?
Yes, naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of heroin. However, this does not replace medical support; it’s only meant to hold the person over until help arrives.
