9d (edited) • OVERDOSE INSTRUCTIONS
SAMHSA overdose toolkit
This SAMHSA toolkit provides comprehensive guidance on overdose prevention and response, addressing the ongoing crisis in the United States, where overdose deaths remain historically high. While projecting a decline, over 105,000 people died from overdose in 2023, predominantly involving opioids like illicitly manufactured fentanyl, often combined with stimulants or adulterants like xylazine.
The toolkit aims to educate a broad audience—including people who use drugs, their families, practitioners, health systems, and first responders—on overdose causes, risks, signs, and effective response strategies. It details the basics of opioid and stimulant overdoses, explaining how drugs like opioids can cause fatal respiratory depression. Key risk factors include reduced tolerance after abstinence, using stronger drugs, combining substances (e.g., opioids with alcohol or benzodiazepines), and using drugs alone.
A central component of the toolkit is information on Opioid Overdose Reversal Medications (OORM), such as naloxone and nalmefene. These life-saving medications reverse the effects of opioid overdose and are available to the public. The toolkit provides a Q&A on OORM, including where to obtain them, their effectiveness against fentanyl, and considerations regarding dosage and potential withdrawal symptoms. It also highlights that while OORMs do not reverse stimulant overdoses, managing acute symptoms is crucial.
For responding to an overdose, the toolkit outlines clear steps: recognizing signs (unconsciousness, shallow breathing, discolored skin/lips, pinpoint pupils), administering OORM, calling 911, and supporting breathing through rescue breaths or placing the person in a recovery position. It emphasizes that OORM can be given without harm even if an opioid overdose is not confirmed. Post-overdose, it stresses offering treatment options, peer support, and understanding Good Samaritan laws.
The document also integrates "treatment as prevention," advocating for evidence-based medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) like buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone, which significantly reduce overdose risk. Appendices offer tailored advice for specific groups:
People who use drugs are advised on strategies like not using alone, starting with low doses, testing drugs, and always carrying OORM.
People who take prescription opioids are guided on taking medications as prescribed, discussing risks with providers, and carrying OORM.
Practitioners and health systems are encouraged to integrate overdose prevention into patient care, screen for substance use disorders, prescribe OORM, and practice opioid stewardship.
First responders are identified as critical partners, with recommendations to provide supportive care, link individuals to peer recovery specialists, distribute naloxone leave-behind kits, and utilize data for public health initiatives.
Policy and systems considerations focus on a public health approach, advocating for widespread education, accessible OORM distribution, drug checking services, public communication campaigns, and supportive Good Samaritan laws.https://linksharing.samsungcloud.com/pykaBdvE9cxP
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SAMHSA overdose toolkit
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Fentanyl is a fatal drug. I'm a recovering addict who still relapses and I feel a community can help me and hopefully another stay sober and alive.
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