Drug overdoses have fluctuated but remained high since peaking in 2023 with 1,340 deaths in King County alone. If someone you know has experienced an overdose and was able to get life-saving care in time, it can be overwhelming to think about how to respond. How do you communicate with them? How do you manage your own feelings?
Read on as we break down several of the resources at your disposal as you and the person affected navigate the impact of an overdose.
In the first 24 hours after the overdose, focus on getting the person affected the care they need.
The person affected by overdose is likely going to be exhausted and will need time to recuperate after returning from the hospital. If this person is close to you, you may feel like you need to jump into a deep conversation to address the overdose or discuss their drug use. It’s crucial that in the first few hours, you focus on helping them feel safe and comfortable. Any deeper conversations can wait.
They may be experiencing withdrawal, in which case they will need to stay warm and hydrated. It’s important that you remain present with them, though it might feel difficult. You can be a listening ear and also suggest they speak to a peer or counselor who has lived experience with overdose. You may need support, too — whether that’s connecting with trusted family, friends, a mental health professional, or a support group.
You will likely feel a wide range of emotions, and some of which might be scary and confusing. The impacted person is in the same position.
Gratitude that they are alive; fear that they could experience an overdose again; frustration that they are using opioids in the first place — the list goes on and on. They are also likely to experience an array of emotions and may be agitated as they navigate the lasting effects of the overdose, symptoms of withdrawal, and shame that the overdose occurred.
If this person is somebody close to you, and they have had a chance to recover physically, you can broach a conversation about their substance use. It’s important to use a compassionate, open-minded approach when you initiate. Instead of asking questions that might trigger or cause them to shut down, approach them with curiosity. Here are a few questions or phrases you might use as you connect with your person.
- Can you tell me more about how you’re feeling?
- I’ve been learning about safer use supplies. Do you know where to access those?
- Have you heard anything about methadone? I’ve been curious about learning more.
- Your body is especially vulnerable after overdose. If you are going to use again soon, please go slowly and make sure someone else is with you.
- Do you or your friends know how to use naloxone?
The person recovering from an overdose is still in charge of their decisions. If they decide to stop using or seek treatment, it must be on their terms. Approaches that shame or accuse are often ineffective and can cause the person to further isolate themselves. You are there to offer support, but you can’t force them to do something they are not ready to do.
You are not expected to handle everything alone.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed after someone you know or come across has experienced an overdose, and it’s important that you know there are resources available to you. You are the best supporter when you have the chance to support yourself. That’s easier said than done, but here are a few suggestions that might ease your strain.
- Prioritize your physical and mental wellness by moving your body, taking time to rest, and processing with a mental health professional.
- Seek trained professionals like social workers, case managers, or staff at clinics like ETS who have expertise in substance use disorders and can help you navigate the situation.
- Join a support group for people who have experienced a loved one’s overdose, like through The Center of Parent Excellence (COPE).
- Lean on your friends and family for support. Sometimes, just letting someone you trust know that you’re struggling can lift a weight off your shoulders.
Remember that everyone’s journey is different.
There is no one path to healing, just like there isn’t one treatment or lifestyle change that works for everyone dealing with harmful substance use. People begin using substances for many different reasons, and some people are more predisposed than others to develop an opioid dependency whether that’s due to systemic failings, genetics, or a number of other factors. But the reality is that anyone can become addicted to opioids.
Addiction or substance use disorder is not a moral failing. It is a chronic, relapsing medical condition with long-lasting physical and psychological symptoms. Like diabetes or hypertension, it often requires lifelong management. There are several ways that people do this. Many people seek medication for opioid use disorder, where they receive evidence-based medications like methadone or buprenorphine that help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Others walk the road of recovery supported by faith-based programs, Narcotics Anonymous, or any combination of treatment and resources.
Your loved one, or the person you just met, is on an individual journey of recovery — but they don’t have to walk alone.
If the person affected by overdose has expressed interest in medication for opioid use disorder, we can help. Find contact information for our clinics in Seattle, Renton, and Olympia here.
The post How to Support Someone After an Overdose appeared first on Evergreen Treatment Services (ETS).