How to Help Someone Who With An Addiction Or Overdose

Addiction can affect anyone in Maryland, regardless of age, race or profession.

You can help stop the stigma of addiction by knowing the signs of addiction and getting the individual the help they need as soon as possible.

Substance use disorder signs

These are the signs of someone with a substance use disorder.

• Visiting multiple doctors to get prescriptions
• Changing moods or behavior
• Irritability
• Withdrawal from social events and activities
• Financial difficulties that are unexplained
• Sleeping at odd times
• More frequent substance use

Also, pay close attention to the medications in your home. Dispose of medication that is unwanted, unused or expired. Keep your medicine cabinets free of any medication that could end up in the wrong hands.

Stigmas often prevent individuals from getting the help they need.

If someone you know is showing signs of addiction, you can help them by providing supportive resources and encouraging them to get help.

Don’t enable them by helping them with their rent or providing other financial assistance.

Focus on the addiction and get them help.

Recognizing signs of an overdose

Drugs often contain the powerful and deadly synthetic opioid known as fentanyl. It’s 50x stronger than heroin and the leading cause of overdose deaths in Maryland.

You can’t see it, smell it or taste it. It’s often added to other drugs because it’s so potent.

If you’re worried about someone and think they may have an addiction, you also should be aware of the signs of an overdose.

Signs of an overdose include:

• Loud snoring or gurgling noises
• Lips or fingernails turning blue
• Pale/greyish skin
• Unresponsive, passed out, unable to talk or an incoherent person
• Limp body
• Slow or stopped heartbeat
• Shallow, slow, stopped or irregular breathing
• Poor motor skills and coordination
• Small pupils that don’t respond to light or movement
• Seizures
• Clammy skin

Where to get naloxone in Maryland

If you don’t want the information texted to you through MDHope, there are other ways to find the closest naloxone provider in your area.

You can also visit an Overdose Response Program (ODR) in Maryland to receive naloxone. You can find the closest one here.

You can also walk into a pharmacy and get the medication without a prescription and without training. It is covered by most insurance and Maryland Medicaid. However, it may not be in stock. Inventory can vary.

Next Harm Reduction and the Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition will also mail the life-saving medication to Maryland residents for free. The program is designed for individuals who are unwilling to get the medication in-person.

You’ll need to watch a 4-minute training video, answer a short quiz, and provide information to receive naloxone. The training is available in English and Spanish. Take the training.

Using Naloxone

Naloxone is a nasal spray or an auto-injector that’s used in the individual’s outer thigh.

These are the steps to follow if you suspect someone is experiencing an overdose:

1. Get their attention.

Yell at the individual and ask if they need help.

2. Rub their sternum.

Rub your knuckles firmly up and down the middle of the person’s chest.

3. Call 9-1-1.

4. Give Naloxone.

Put the nozzle tip in either nostril until your fingers touch the bottom of the person’s nose.

Press firmly to release the medication.

If the first dose doesn’t work in 1-3 minutes, repeat.

5. Support their breathing.

Place the person on their back, and tilt back their chin. Check to make sure nothing is blocking their airway.

Pinch the person’s nose closed and cover their mouth with yours. Blow 2 regular breaths, then repeat with 1 breath every 5 seconds.

You can also do chest compressions if you have CPR training.

6. Help the person recover.

Stay with the individual until help arrives.

If the person improves, place them on their stomach with their face and head turned to the side. Put their hand under their head and bend their knees for support.

Naloxone will not do any harm if given to someone who does not have opioids in their system.