Transcript Opioid Overdose 101 - Harm Reduction Coalition

Recognition, Response and Administration of Naloxone (Narcan)
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Heroin

Hydrocodone
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Codeine
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Oxycodone
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Demerol
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Vicodin
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Morphine
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OxyContin
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Darvocet
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Tylenol 3
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Fentanyl
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Tylox
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Dilaudid
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Levorphanol
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Methadone
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Percocet
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Opium
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Percodan
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Methadone ++++
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24-32 Hours
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Heroin +++++
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6-8 Hours
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Oxycontin +++++
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3-6 Hours
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Codeine +
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3-4 Hours
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Demerol ++
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2-4 Hours
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Morphine +++
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3-6 Hours
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Fentanyl +++++
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2-4 Hours
+ Potency
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Natural opioids: contained in resin of
opium poppy (morphine, codeine)
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Semi-synthetic opioids: created from
natural opioids such as
hydromorphone, hydrocodone,
oxycodone, heroin etc.,
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Fully Synthetic Opioids: Methadone,
Fentanyl
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Rarely instantaneous
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Can happen 1-3 hours after use
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Body has ingested more than it can handle
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Opioids attack receptors that control breathing
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Oxygen can’t get to the brain
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Heart stops
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Unconscious, Coma, Death
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Long-term Brain/Nerve/Physical Damage
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Tolerance Shift
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Mixing Drugs
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Physical Health

Variation in
strength/content
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Switching from
snorting/smoking to
injection
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Using alone
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Blue skin tinge- usually lips and
fingertips show first
REALLY HIGH
OVERDOSE
Muscles become
relaxed
Deep snoring or
gurgling (death
rattle)
Very infrequent or
no breathing
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Body very limp

Face very pale
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Pulse (heartbeat) is slow, erratic, or
Speech is
slowed/slurred
not there at all
Sleepy looking
Pale, clammy skin
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Throwing up
Nodding
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Passing out
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Choking sounds or a
Heavy nod, not
responsive to
stimulation
Will respond to
stimulation like
yelling, sternal rub,
pinching, etc.
Slow heart
beat/pulse
gurgling/snoring noise
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Breathing is very slow, irregular, or
has stopped
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Awake, but unable to respond
Slow heart
beat/pulse
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Are you alright?
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Are you ok?
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Pain Stimulus
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If no response call 9-1-1
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Rescue Breathing
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Naloxone
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Rescue Breathing
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Salt Water
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Suboxone
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Ice On Body
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Cold Shower
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Cocaine

Milk

Burning Skin

Punching

Slapping
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Fear of legal risk (outstanding warrants, DSS involvement, loss of
public housing)
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Fear of judgment from family/ community
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Personal embarrassment/shame
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Other punitive measures (students loose federal financial aid)
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Urban legends (homicide charge for being at an OD, being
deported)
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Opioid Antagonist
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Medication that reverses only OPIOID
Heroin
overdose
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Can not get high on it
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Can not abuse it
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Stays active for 20-90 minutes
depending on metabolism, amount of
drug used
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Liver Function
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If they use before the Narcan wears off
Narcan
Opioid
receptor
Narcan has a stronger
affinity to the opioid
receptors than the heroin,
so it knocks the heroin off
the receptors for a short
time and lets the person
breathe again.
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Harm Reduction?
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Know some street slang (does not mean YOU have to use it)
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Know the street myths about response
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Referrals to outside programs for Narcan
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Not just people who inject are at risk for
overdose.
Phone: (781) 592-0243
Thank You!!