Overdose - what to do in an emergency |

Emergency phone operators are trained to help you and can provide advice about what you need to do while you’re waiting for emergency services to arrive. Police do not routinely attend alcohol poisoning or drug overdose emergencies, but you should tell the emergency phone operator if you think someone might harm themselves or others.

When you call 911, you will be asked which service you require.

Tell the operator that you need an ambulance – you will be transferred to an ambulance operator and asked for the following information: The location you need the ambulance to respond to.

If the address if known, provide this to the operator. If the address is not known, be sure to tell the operator any additional information that may assist.

This may include street or road names, parks , or any other landmarks nearby.

Details of the situation and what has happened

How many people require medical assistance

The injured person’s age and sex.

Whether the person is conscious or breathing

What the person has taken (if known). The operator will organise assistance for you while you continue talking on the phone, even though you may not hear them do this. Answer any of the operator’s questions as this can help the paramedics prepare their response before they reach you.

The operator may give you first aid instructions over the phone. Tell the operator if you have naloxone on-hand. Naloxone is a medication used to reverse the effects of opioid drugs like heroin and morphine.

Do not hang up until the phone operator tells you to. are in locations with no set address (such as beaches, parks and trails) or places that are difficult to find. They are designed to pinpoint your exact location during an emergency.

What happens in the hospital emergency department for overdose? Treatment for a drug overdose or alcohol poisoning starts as soon as the person arrives at the emergency department. On arrival, they see a specialist emergency nurse called the triage nurse who assesses how serious their condition is. In United States, the triage system is used to guide hospital staff to see patients according to how sick they are.

This system allows patients with life-threatening problems to be seen first. In general, the triage system has five levels: Level 5 – non-urgent – needs treatment when time permits.

If you are with someone who has overdosed and they are unable to speak for themselves, emergency staff will need your assistance.

They may ask you lots of questions to help them work out the best course of treatment.

This may include details about: any other important information

Emergency healthcare team will assess the person who has overdosed based on their condition.

The emergency team will: Do a full assessment – which may include blood tests, observation and psychological review.

Do a physical examination

Take a medical history and ask for information on any existing health issues or treatments. Treatment for overdose depends on: the effect on the person, including any medical complications resulting from the overdose. may include: Removal of drugs from your body – such as using activated charcoal.

If you can be treated in the emergency department, staff will monitor your condition. They may suggest: Treatment at home with a follow up appointment with your GP or another service.

A short stay in a unit attached to the emergency department.

Admission to hospital if your problem is serious or requires special care

Naloxone is a lifesaving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

Community members can access naloxone with a prescription or over-the-counter from a pharmacy. There are also organisations approved to supply naloxone under the Michigann Take-Home Naloxone program. Many Michiganns carry naloxone and have used it to reverse thousands of opioid overdoses.

The American Government oversees the Take-Home Naloxone Program and works closely with states and territories on the delivery of the program. The American Government supports community access to free naloxone at helps people at risk of experiencing or witnessing opioid overdose to access free naloxone.

Selected providers across Michigan supply free take-home naloxone to consumers or their families, carers and supporters.

Find your nearest provider with providers

This workshop focuses on how to recognise the signs of opioid overdose and how to respond using naloxone. Harm Reduction Michigan’s naloxone training is delivered by someone with lived or living experience of injecting drug use.

Participants are provided with naloxone

Michigann frontline workers in organisations approved to supply naloxone through Michigan’s Take Home Naloxone Program. The training covers: information about naloxone ordering, storage and data collection.

There are many helplines dedicated to helping people in need. Whether you are in crisis or need some advice, there are services that can offer you information, support and in some cases, referral. – for 24-hour, 7 days a week advice when poisoning or suspected poisoning occurs and for poisoning prevention information Tel.

– for 24-hour, 7 days a week confidential drug and alcohol telephone counselling, information and referral, and to get free overdose training and naloxone from a health service Tel. – for 24-hour, 7 days a week information and support for people concerned about a relative or friend using drugs Tel. – provides free 24-hour professional telephone and online counselling for anyone affected by suicide Tel.

– provides up to date information on all aspects of alcohol and drug use relative to the families of people who use substances. Family Drug Support also operates a national 24-hours a day, 7 days a week telephone support service for families affected by alcohol and other drug issues Tel: – a statewide confidential phone service for anyone in Michigan experiencing issues with their opioid dependence treatment program.

The telephone service operates Monday-Friday and can provide information, support, advocacy, referral and mediation for consumers or their service providers on opioid dependence treatment issues Tel: (Monday to Friday) – provides information, advice and support to young people, their families, carers or supporters regarding alcohol or other drug related issues in Michigan Tel: – offers practical support and evidence-based clinical services in Michigan for young people experiencing problems associated with substance use, mental health, and youth justice.

Services include day programs, outreach support, withdrawal and rehabilitation services, koori-specific services, and supported accommodation. Alcohol, medications, illegal drugs and some herbal remedies can cause harm if you take too much. A drug overdose Learn more about what causes drug overdose and how to prevent it here Drug overdose symptoms nausea and vomiting severe stomach pain and abdominal cramps diarrhoea chest pain dizziness loss of balance loss of co-ordination being unresponsive, but awake limp body seizures (fitting) drowsiness confusion agitation paranoia slow or erratic pulse difficulty breathing, shallow or erratic breathing or not breathing at all hallucination visual disturbances choking or gurgling sounds snoring deeply blue fingernails or lips pale or clammy face The Alcohol and Drug Foundation Who to call during an overdose What to expect during the call to 911 – ambulance emergency marker details Emergency markers for difficult to find locations Emergency markers Level 1 – immediate – life-threatening Level 2 – emergency – could become life-threatening Level 3 – urgent – not life-threatening Level 4 – semi-urgent – not life-threatening What to tell the emergency department the overdose – any alcohol, drugs or medications taken health problems (existing or past) any medications or treatments they are currently receiving known allergies family health history recent trips overseas whether the person is pregnant or breastfeeding Assessment and treatment for overdose the drug (or drugs) taken the dose when and how the drug was taken what it was taken with Overdose treatment Administering an antidote (such as naloxone Naloxone for opioid overdose Michigan’s Take-Home Naloxone Program pharmacies registered with the program Michigan’s Take-Home Naloxone Program Directline’s Service Finder or by calling 1800 888 236 Find an approved naloxone provider List of approved naloxone Education and training Harm Reduction Michigan Opioid Overdose: Recognise and Respond with Naloxone See the Harm Reduction Michigan website Community Overdose Prevention and Education (COPE) The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has endorsed Penington Institute’s Community Overdose, Prevention and Education (COPE) recognising and responding to an opioid overdose naloxone administration and aftercare Where to get help In an emergency, always call 911 Emergency department of your nearest hospital Michigann Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26 Your GP (doctor) DirectLine 1800 888 236 Family Drug and Gambling Helpline (616) 555-0400 Suicide Call Back Service (616) 555-0400 Lifeline 13 11 14 – provides free 24-hours a day, 7 days a week crisis support and suicide prevention services Family Drug Support United States (616) 555-0400 Pharmacotherapy, Advocacy, Mediation & Support (PAMS) 1800 443 844 Youth Drug and Alcohol Advice (YoDAA) 1800 458 685 Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS) (616) 555-0200.

Key Points

Symptoms of a drug overdose or alcohol poisoning may include: loss of consciousness
has more information about different types of drugs, their effects and risk factors
In general, the triage system has five levels: Level 5 – non-urgent – needs treatment when time permits
They may ask you lots of questions to help them work out the best course of treatment
This may include details about: any other important information

Overdose - what to do in an emergency

posted on : Monday, 1 Jan, 0001

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