Alcohol and Other Drugs Emergencies

Learn how to recognize and respond to different alcohol and other drug-related emergenices, including overdose. 

Alcohol Emergencies

Know the signs

  • Passed out and unresponsive
  • Fewer than 12 breaths/minute
  • Vomiting while passed out
  • Pale/bluish or cool/clammy skin
  • Uncontrolled peeing or pooping

How to respond

  • Call 911 and put them in the recovery position (below)
  • If the person may have used opiates in any form, including pain pills, administering can reverse an overdose
  • Stay with the person until help arrives

Learn more about ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Boulder's Amnesty Policy. 

Recovery Position

Putting someone in the recovery position will keep their airway clear and open. It also ensures that any vomit or fluid won't cause them to choke.

Recovery position

Opioid Emergencies

What is an opioid?

Opioids are drugs derived from opium, also called opiates. Opioids include semi-synthetic and synthetic opiates, which include illicit drugs such as heroin, fentanyl and carfentanyl. Opioids also include prescription pain medications, such as morphine, hydrocodone and oxycodone (Oxycontin).

Opioid overdoses can be fatal and difficult to predict. The best prevention is to avoid opioid use unless explicitly prescribed to you with specific instructions by a medical professional. However, if someone still chooses to use, noting the factors that can contribute to an overdose may help save a life.

Risk factors for overdose

  • Quality. Substance potency varies substantially and may be cut with dangerous, high-potency opioids.
  • Mixing. Mixing opioids, in particular, with alcohol or other medications such as benzodiazepines can slow the respiratory system and stop breathing.
  • Tolerance. Tolerance decreases after periods without use including detoxification, hospitalization or if a person resumes use after recovery.
  • Environment. Using in isolated environments decreases the likelihood of someone being able to help in an overdose situation.
  • Health problems. Underlying health problems, especially chronic lung diseases such as emphysema or sleep apnea, can slow the respiratory system—even when the user is not aware they may have these underlying health problems.

Know the signs

  • Pinpoint pupils
  • Shallow breathing or not breathing
  • Gurgling, wheezing or snoring sounds
  • Blue or grayish lips and nails
  • Not responding to stimuli, including pain

Most overdoses occur over a period of 1-3 hours. 

How to respond

  • Ask if they're alright. If they don't respond, give them a pain stimulus. 
  • Call 911
  • Administer Naloxone (Narcan)
  • If they do not respond, begin CPR

*It is safe to provide Naloxone (Narcan) even if they are not experiencing an overdose, so it is better to be safe than sorry. Naloxone (Narcan) is not a substitute for emergency medical care. 

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