by Chance Lasher, with Rachel Gischia, Tracy Gilsvik and Lynn Whalen

Signs of an Opioid Overdose

Someone is lying on the ground. Their chest rises and falls in shallow, short breaths, and they don’t respond when you shake their shoulder. You call 911, but you worry the ambulance won’t show up in time.

Opioids overdoses are unfortunately rising in Minnesota. Knowing the signs of an opioid overdose and responding appropriately can save lives. Additionally, we’ll list resources in Lake County for responding to overdoses.

If you think someone has overdosed, call 911. The key signs of an opioid overdose:

●Erratic or slow breathing

●Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”

●Losing consciousness

●Their body goes limp

●Choking, vomiting, or gurgling sounds

●Cold and/or clammy skin

●Their fingernails or lips have a purple or blue color

Knowing the signs of an overdose is useful, but knowing how to respond is another. For opioid overdoses the immediate administration of naloxone, also known as Narcan, can save lives.

Naloxone blocks and reverses the effect of opioids and restores normal respiration for a period of time. A dose of naloxone only lasts for 30-90 minutes, and often the effects of opioids last longer. A nasal dose is given through one nostril while the person lies on their back. Training on how and when to use naloxone is important. For a demonstration, see https://rb.gy/764ir9

If you come across someone you think may have overdosed, even if you have naloxone, call 911 first. Having naloxone does not change that basic first step, but it is key in buying time for emergency response teams and increases the person’s chances of life.

The successful administration of naloxone can put a person into immediate opioid withdrawal with symptoms of agitation, restlessness, irritability, and more. Medical assistance must be obtained as soon as possible after administering/receiving naloxone. If naloxone is given to someone who is not overdosing, it has no effect.

There are several options to keep naloxone on hand. Narcan, the nasal spray form of naloxone, is now an over-the-counter drug available at many pharmacies. It costs around $45.

Lake County Health and Human Services has naloxone (administered by a needle that goes into a large muscle) at its offices in Two Harbors and Silver Bay. The Finland Community Center also has naloxone in their rest rooms. Simply ask for a naloxone kit. You don’t need to explain why or leave your name. It is free.

Knowing is half the battle, as the common maxim goes. Identifying an opioid overdose and knowing the appropriate response can save lives in a race against time.

Chance Lasher, Program Associate (Wilderness Health), Rachel Gischia, Manager of Community Outreach and Emergency Preparedness (Lake View Hospital and Clinic), Tracy Gilsvik, Public Health Supervisor (Lake County Public Health Supervisor), and Lynn Whalen, MSW, LICSW, Outpatient Clinician and Lake County Program Supervisor (Human Development Center).

Wilderness Health, Lake View Hospital, and the Human Development Center are all working on increasing healthcare quality, resources, and access in our region. Wilderness Health serves rural healthcare facilities across NE MN and NW WI, and was winner of a MDH Rural Health Award. WH telehealth and behavior health care coordination work is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)