Addiction Care · 4 min read · Updated November 13, 2026
If someone cannot be awakened, is breathing very slowly or not breathing, or makes unusual choking or gurgling sounds, treat it as an emergency. Call 911 and give naloxone if available, following the product instructions. Stay with the person and follow the emergency dispatcher’s directions. Do not wait for a treatment referral call.
What naloxone does
Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose, including one involving fentanyl or a prescription opioid. CDC’s naloxone guidance describes warning signs including unresponsiveness, breathing problems, and changes in lip or nail color. You do not need to know exactly which drug was taken before responding to a suspected overdose.
Naloxone does not replace emergency care. The FDA explains that its effect is temporary and that a person can become unresponsive again. Further treatment or additional naloxone may be needed. Follow the product directions and the dispatcher’s guidance; stay until emergency personnel arrive even if the person wakes up.
Prepare while there is time to ask questions
Ask a pharmacist, clinician, or community overdose prevention program to demonstrate the naloxone product you will carry. Products can differ. Read the package instructions before an emergency and make sure the people likely to be present know where it is kept. A kit in a location nobody can find is less useful than one that is readily accessible.
Some naloxone products are available without a prescription. Local health departments or community programs may also provide naloxone. Ask about cost, training, replacement after use, and storage requirements. Avoid assuming that the same arrangement applies at every pharmacy or in every community.
- Who will obtain the naloxone, and when?
- Where will it be kept so another person can find it quickly?
- Who needs a demonstration of the product?
- Who will check the expiration date and replace used or expired supplies?
- Does everyone know the address to give emergency services?
Write the plan in a short, visible format. If you keep supplies in more than one place, check each location. Follow the storage instructions on the label rather than leaving a kit wherever it happens to fit.
Have a calm conversation about carrying it
You could say, “I want us to know what to do in an emergency. Can we go over this together?” Frame preparation as care, not a prediction that something will happen. Someone may feel embarrassed or worried that carrying naloxone changes how others see them. Let them explain those concerns without turning the discussion into an argument about their readiness for treatment.
Preparation can include partners, friends, housemates, and other trusted people. Ask permission before sharing private health information. At the same time, keep the emergency instructions clear enough that someone who is present can act without knowing the person’s full medical history.
After the emergency, make the next connection
Once urgent medical needs are being addressed, ask the clinical team what follow-up is recommended and how it will be arranged. Request a written plan and check who is responsible for the next appointment. If naloxone was used, arrange replacement supplies and another chance to review the instructions.
An overdose can be frightening for everyone involved. A later conversation can focus on what support the person wants and what practical barriers need attention. Medication treatment, medical assessment, and continuing support are separate conversations from the immediate emergency response. Addiction Care can help explore referrals after urgent needs are addressed; it is not an emergency response service.
Sources & further reading
General educational information. This guide is not a substitute for advice from a qualified treatment professional.
