In 2024, there were an estimated 80,391 drug overdose deaths in the United States. While this number has declined 26.9% since 2023, every death is still one too many. Overdose deaths are preventable, and there are life-saving steps everyone can take.
Whether you use drugs or a concerned friend, family, or community member is using drugs, learning how to reduce the risk of an overdose death can help save lives. Identifying the signs of an overdose, knowing when to call 911, and carrying naloxone are just a few helpful strategies. Being prepared isn’t admitting defeat. It’s about valuing life and being able to take swift action when it matters most.
Seeking treatment is another prevention strategy. At Groups, we offer group therapy, care planning, and medications that can help reduce the risk of an overdose. You can even take our short quiz to see if it’s time to ask for help.
Keep reading to find seven types of prevention efforts that make a real difference in overdose deaths. Knowing these actionable strategies may help you save a life.
7 types of prevention efforts
Learning overdose prevention skills isn’t just for people who use substances. Anyone can come across an overdose situation, even at home, at work, or in their community. Knowing what to do can help save a life. Many overdoses happen when someone else is nearby. This means a knowledgeable bystander can be the difference between life and death. The more widespread this knowledge becomes, the safer our communities can be.
Everyone has the ability to help prevent overdose deaths. By learning warning signs, how to stay prepared, and supporting others, you can make a big difference. Here are proven prevention efforts that can help reduce harm and save lives:
1. Recognizing overdose signs early
Knowing the warning signs of an overdose is important for saving lives.
Common overdose signs include:
- Slow, irregular, or stopped breathing
- Unresponsiveness or unconsciousness
- Bluish lips, fingernails, or skin tone
- Vomiting, gurgling, or choking sounds
- Extreme drowsiness, confusion, or inability to speak
- Inability to wake up when aroused
If you notice any of these signs, call 911 immediately and administer naloxone if you have it. Recognizing the warning signs early can help you take action quickly. This means there can be timely intervention, which helps increase the chances of survival.
2. Calling 911 immediately
Calling 911 is one of the most important steps you can take to lower the risk of an overdose death. Emergency responders can provide swift medical attention, including oxygen, additional medication, and transportation to the hospital.
Good Samaritan laws can protect you if you call for help. Many states have Good Samaritan laws. They offer some legal protections to people who call for help during an overdose, especially around simple possession. Calling for emergency help does not lead to legal trouble for you or the person who may have overdosed.
Even if naloxone has been administered, emergency help is important. Stay with the person experiencing overdose symptoms and follow dispatcher instructions until help arrives.
3. Carrying and using naloxone
Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is a life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. It is available as a nasal spray or injection. Anyone can get naloxone at a pharmacy, online retailer, or local health department.
Who should carry naloxone?
- People who use opioids
- Friends, family members, and caregivers of people at risk
- Community members in high-risk areas
Follow these steps to give someone you think is having an opioid overdose Narcan::
- Try to stimulate the person by yelling, rubbing their chest bone or upper lip with your knuckles, or pinching their arm. Say you’re going to call 911 and give them Narcan. If they’re conscious and okay, they’ll let you know.
- If they don’t respond, call 911 or tell someone else to call 911. You can say someone’s breathing has stopped or they’re not responding. Tell them exactly where you are.
- If they don’t respond, call 911 or tell someone else to call 911. You can say someone’s breathing has stopped or they’re not responding. Tell them exactly where you are.
- Give the person rescue breathing. First, make sure nothing’s inside of their mouth. Tilt their head back and pinch their nose. Use your mouth to breathe into theirs every 5 seconds for 30 seconds.
- If you need to walk away at any point, put the person on their side with one knee bent and their face to the side.
- Tell the person you’re going to give them Narcan. Carefully remove the Narcan’s packaging. Hold the spray with your thumb placed on the plunger located at the bottom. Tilt the head back of the person you’re giving Narcan. Insert the tip of the spray into either nostril until your fingers touch their nose. Press the plunger firmly to release the entire dose.
- Wait 2-3 minutes for signs of breathing or response. Try to keep them awake and breathing. Lie them on their side to help them avoid choking.
- If they don’t breathe or respond, give them more rescue breaths. If they continue not to respond, switch giving extra doses in either nostril until help comes.
- When the person wakes up, let them know what happened and that you gave them Narcan. Stay with them until help comes. Keep them relaxed and tell them they’re okay.
- When help comes, tell them (or have someone else tell them) what drugs may have been used and that Narcan was given.
In an overdose situation, every minute counts. Having naloxone on hand can mean the difference between life and death.
4. Using harm reduction strategies
Harm reduction strategies are ideas that can keep you safer and reduce risk of overdose. They can be helpful for people who use substances, as well as their support network.
Some examples include:
- Make it a rule to never use substances alone — Using with someone else ensures that you have someone who can help you if an overdose occurs.
- Test when possible — Fentanyl test strips can reveal the presence of this substance.
- Use syringe service programs — They lower the risk of getting and spreading HIV by distributing clean needles. You can find the nearest one on the North American Syringe Exchange Network.
You can find additional harm reduction strategies here. Whether you’re using substances or trying not to, these tips can help keep you safer.
5. Seeking treatment as prevention
Reaching out to get treatment is not a weakness. It’s a proactive step to help protect your health and well-being. Medications to treat opioid, alcohol, cannabis, and stimulant use disorders can reduce cravings and the risk of overdose.
The earlier you seek treatment, the easier it can be to take steps toward reducing overdose risk. Our care team can work with you or your loved one to personalize an effective treatment that can help keep them safe.
6. Educating friends and family about overdose risks
When there’s a dedicated support system working to lower overdose risk, it can make the biggest impact. Educating friends, family, and community members about overdose signs and risks is one of the most powerful ways to help save lives.
How to support others:
- Learn and teach overdose warning signs and how to respond to them.
- Train others to administer naloxone.
- Reduce stigma by having open discussions about substance use and overdose risks.
- Be supportive. People who feel cared for may be able to reach out for help more easily.
Creating awareness in your community helps more people feel prepared and ready to act when someone needs help.
7. Staying prepared with a personal overdose safety plan
When you have a plan, you have a go-to strategy you can turn to in the moment you need it.
Your overdose safety plan can include:
- Keep naloxone in a place you can access it easily.
- Save local emergency numbers in your phone.
- Let someone you trust know when and where you’re using.
- Avoid mixing substances because it increases overdose risk.
- Know which pharmacies or organizations carry free naloxone.
If you’re concerned about a loved one’s substance use, you can check in regularly and have open discussions about being safer. These simple steps can make a big difference.
Get expert support for reducing overdose risk at Groups
Taking small, meaningful steps can help save a life. When more people are informed and prepared, your community can become a safer place. Whether you identify the warning signs, carry naloxone, or support someone in need, you can play an important role in protecting the people around you. If one of those steps is reaching out for treatment, we’re here to help.
At Groups, we offer in-person and virtual group therapy, care planning, and medications that can help reduce cravings and overdose risk. We treat opioid use disorder at all of our locations. Currently, we also offer treatments for alcohol, cannabis, and stimulant use disorders in Iowa. However, we’re actively working to expand these services to our other locations. Plus, we offer naloxone in some states. Even if you don’t live nearby, you can reach out to us for support. We can recommend treatment options and helpful resources in your area.
Have questions about your treatment options? Our Recovery Support Coordinators are here to help. Call 888-858-1723 for more information. We provide treatment across the country — and we’re always expanding. See if we offer care in your state, either online or at one of our 130+ local offices. If Groups does not offer treatment in your area, you can locate other treatment options here.
