Once someone has taken enough heroin to pass out but still be breathing, but their breathing has slowed, can the overdose be reversed? If you go to the hospital, can something be done? Can they stop the heroin or extract it from your body? Or once it's in your body, there's nothing that can be done?
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OD Moderators: Keif’ Richards | Tryptamino
Can you recover from heroin overdose
- Thread starter nichy9_83
- Start date
Yes. Something can be done, if the person has been found quickly enough. The medication generally used is called Naloxone.
See below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naloxone
See below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naloxone
sunyata
Ex-Bluelighter
if your friend has passed out (nodded out) then what you can do is monitor breathing. If his breathing keeps slowing then you MUST call 911 and paramedics will arrive and give him a shot of naloxone, which is an opioid antagonist. He will immediately come out of his nod and if he is dependent then he will immediately go into opiate withdrawal. There may possibly also be legal reprecussions (possession charges, etc). But don't worry about this because you might have just saved your friend's life.
You literally have a minute or two in these situations before brain damage and then death will occur, so you must act quickly and conservatively.
Heroin overdoses are especially dangerous if benzos, ketamine, alcohol, GHB/GBL, or any other sedative is used concurrently. A human will die very quickly with these combinations if doses even slightly creep up too high. I would strongly suggest you not mix any drugs other than serotonergic psychedelics and cannabis with heroin.
You literally have a minute or two in these situations before brain damage and then death will occur, so you must act quickly and conservatively.
Heroin overdoses are especially dangerous if benzos, ketamine, alcohol, GHB/GBL, or any other sedative is used concurrently. A human will die very quickly with these combinations if doses even slightly creep up too high. I would strongly suggest you not mix any drugs other than serotonergic psychedelics and cannabis with heroin.
sunyata
Ex-Bluelighter
One more point, nasal overdoses are particularly dangerous because by the time they nod out, the drug will continue to absorb and blood plasma levels will continue to raise, pushing them further into dangerous territory. If the drug is administered IV or by vaporizing (smoking) it, then the overdose will set in almost immediately because blood plasma levels will reach their peak almost instantaneously.
cosmic charlie
Bluelight Crew
When someone passes out and won't wake up you need to get them to the hospital quick. It's not worth taking the chance of waiting it out at home. Take a look through this thread it will answer a lot of questions you may have.
A Guide and FAQ: What to do when someone Overdoses
L
Ve & Lite
-Charlie
A Guide and FAQ: What to do when someone Overdoses
L
Ve & Lite-Charlie
sunyata
Ex-Bluelighter
^ I would say calling 911 is a better option charlie, especially assuming you (not you in particular friend) will probably be on heroin yourself. Who chills out with their friends on heroin without themselves indulging?
Driving on heroin is the height of stupidity.
Driving on heroin is the height of stupidity.
Tech User
Bluelighter
everything said here is what i was going to say! along with the following, it is vwey common for long time heroin (and newbie) heroin addicts to OD. however, usually when a long time user seems to go out, they will almost come back more than likley every time within a few minute (15-20).
i have made posts up here before about reviving an Oded subject. with Narcan injection and with out. I will search through the archives because i made them posts under Technical User (my former login). Also i think the site was Bluelight .org back then, so i am guessing that the posts are most likely in the archive
Really qwik though, if Narcan is unavailable to you or your group! the most important thing is to keep that person awake and "if nee be" breathe for them till either 1 they come to[but still watch them closely after this] or till they can get the proper medical attention at the hospital.
there have been a few times when i should have went to the hospital after a mild overdose but refused. . and looking back now, i know what i should have done by going, but don't know if i would. (sorry that last isnt the most harm reductionist statement, nut it is the truth)
PEACE
and be Safe
The Tech User
cosmic charlie
Bluelight Crew
Thats what I meant Andy , I said get them to a hospital. I didn't mention anything about driving.
sunyata
Ex-Bluelighter
good information tech user.
Two more points about naloxone if you are going to keep your own supply at home to administer on your friends if they OD:
1) keep it within its expiration date. When it expires throw it away and get new stuff.
2) keep multiple doses on hand. It is very short-acting and when it wears off (minutes) the heroin will rebind and the overdose will set back in just as hard nearly as it was before the naloxone treatment. If you can only get one dose then administer the dose to your dying friend and immediately call 911 (you have minutes if its a strong OD).
Two more points about naloxone if you are going to keep your own supply at home to administer on your friends if they OD:
1) keep it within its expiration date. When it expires throw it away and get new stuff.
2) keep multiple doses on hand. It is very short-acting and when it wears off (minutes) the heroin will rebind and the overdose will set back in just as hard nearly as it was before the naloxone treatment. If you can only get one dose then administer the dose to your dying friend and immediately call 911 (you have minutes if its a strong OD).
I was the one who posted "Can you recover from heroin overdose"
I've never done drugs myself, but this happened to a friend of mine. I'm going to se fake names:
Me and Kevin went over to his friend's Robb's house and there were already 2 other guys over there, Dan and Chris. Dan was what I assumed asleep, but Robb said he shot up some heroin and passed out. Said it's been 2hrs and sometimes people do go to sleep and wake back up so they were going to watch him for a little while longer before doing something else. I didn't know these people did those sorts of drugs, but I knew we should do something then. I said to take him to the hospital now and they all kept saying shut up I don't know anything. At one point he stopped breathing for just a little while and then started back up but it was heavier. I started to cry so Kevin said let's leave. After we left Kevin said he wished I had never saw that. I was going to go behind Kevin's back and tell my mom what was going on and to call Robb's mom, but I couldn't get ahold of her. Not long after, we got from Dan's brother wanting to know what happened with Dan cause he was in the hospital. We told him all we knew cause we didn't know how much or if he took other stuff with it. He went into a coma and 2 days later he no brain activity and the next day he died. I am beating myself up so bad for this. Maybe I could have prevented his death. I cold have done something. I had never seen something like that and I was scared. I have panic attacks thinking he'd be alive if I had only done something. Is it true?
I've never done drugs myself, but this happened to a friend of mine. I'm going to se fake names:
Me and Kevin went over to his friend's Robb's house and there were already 2 other guys over there, Dan and Chris. Dan was what I assumed asleep, but Robb said he shot up some heroin and passed out. Said it's been 2hrs and sometimes people do go to sleep and wake back up so they were going to watch him for a little while longer before doing something else. I didn't know these people did those sorts of drugs, but I knew we should do something then. I said to take him to the hospital now and they all kept saying shut up I don't know anything. At one point he stopped breathing for just a little while and then started back up but it was heavier. I started to cry so Kevin said let's leave. After we left Kevin said he wished I had never saw that. I was going to go behind Kevin's back and tell my mom what was going on and to call Robb's mom, but I couldn't get ahold of her. Not long after, we got from Dan's brother wanting to know what happened with Dan cause he was in the hospital. We told him all we knew cause we didn't know how much or if he took other stuff with it. He went into a coma and 2 days later he no brain activity and the next day he died. I am beating myself up so bad for this. Maybe I could have prevented his death. I cold have done something. I had never seen something like that and I was scared. I have panic attacks thinking he'd be alive if I had only done something. Is it true?
Flexistentialist
Bluelight Crew
Do not follow the advice in the Overdose FAQ, it was written by people who don't know what they're talking about.
In an opiate overdose, respiratory depression occurs first and often comes on gradually over a couple of hours. As the breathing gets slower or stops for a short time, fluid can get into the lungs, and the person sounds like they're snoring / gurgling / "breathing heavily". At this point, they need to be turned on their side (google "recovery position" for a picture), their head tilted back and any fluid allowed to come out of their mouth.
If the breathing stops, their heart rate will initially increase as the heart struggles to pump the last bit of oxygen around the body. This can last for up to a minute or longer in some cases. If you find someone like this, roll them on their back, tilt their head back and breath into their mouth. This can keep their heart beating for a very long time. Do four lots of 15 breaths and check their pulse. Continue this until the ambulance arrives and the person will avoid a brain injury from being oxygen deprived.
If their heart stops, you need to start compressions. Have a read of this for a great overview of basic CPR.
In an opiate overdose, respiratory depression occurs first and often comes on gradually over a couple of hours. As the breathing gets slower or stops for a short time, fluid can get into the lungs, and the person sounds like they're snoring / gurgling / "breathing heavily". At this point, they need to be turned on their side (google "recovery position" for a picture), their head tilted back and any fluid allowed to come out of their mouth.
If the breathing stops, their heart rate will initially increase as the heart struggles to pump the last bit of oxygen around the body. This can last for up to a minute or longer in some cases. If you find someone like this, roll them on their back, tilt their head back and breath into their mouth. This can keep their heart beating for a very long time. Do four lots of 15 breaths and check their pulse. Continue this until the ambulance arrives and the person will avoid a brain injury from being oxygen deprived.
If their heart stops, you need to start compressions. Have a read of this for a great overview of basic CPR.
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eon_blue
Bluelighter
Oh man, that's awful
I'm sorry to hear about that, really sorry. You can't beat yourself up for it though, really the only person to blame is the guy who did it to himself. It's a risk he was well aware of I'm sure, and if there is anyone else to blame for this then it's those "friends" of his that told you he was going to be fine.
To think that this was in any way your fault is nonsense. But I know saying it is one thing and believing it is another entirely. If you are having anxiety attacks over this, you might want to consider talking to a therapist or someone who can help you come to terms with the situation.
Again, I'm sorry to hear about what happened and it was not in any way shape or form your fault.
I also want to thank you for posting this because it's a good reminder to not only stay the fuck away from heroin, but also serves to remind people like me, a former heroin addict, that we're lucky to be alive.
Jabberwocky
Frumious Bandersnatch
I am sending this to Other Drugs, where the majority of heroin related threads are. nichy9_83 I'm sorry for your loss. If you would like to start a thread about your loss you might start a thread in The Dark Side.
Support ------------------------->Other Drugs
Support ------------------------->Other Drugs
djsim
Bluelight Crew
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2007
- Messages
- 3,220
Good advice. I wasn't aware of the discrepancy between the depressed breathing and then heartrate; I assumed it was concurrent for some reason, though it makes sense now I think about it.
Also, the FAQ does offer dangerous advice, so I'd follow Flexistentialist's advice to the letter, in the interests of harm reductn
Green Laser
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2008
- Messages
- 116
Thank god I don't live in America :D
citizen_snips
Greenlighter
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2007
- Messages
- 28
I really hate that gurgling sound, the mention of it gives me so many flashbacks to seeing people in that horrible state.
PureLife
Bluelighter
I used to BEG the doctors not to give me anymore Narcon after i overdosed. It's such a bad feeling. I'd sit in my hosp. room, and after 15-20min. slowly nod out. A friend would wake me up when the doctor was coming. They usually let you go after 3 hours of observation. Repeat situation. Thats why i stopped using. Your just going to die quicker. Painless though.
Yeah, otherwise much many more would die annually. I've done that countless times.
As long as they are breathing they are OK. Keep waking them up periodically.
If they are turning blue and you are unable to arouse them it's 911 hour.
TheMatador
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2008
- Messages
- 607
Is there anyway we can edit the FAQ so the inaccurate/dangerous information leak can be dealt with?
As we all know, bad info can kill.
Just a thought, of course it's all up to you mods, but in the interest of harm reduction I think it's a good idea.
Shit, even if you guys didn't have time to do it or whatever I would for sure.
But you guys are great so I doubt that would be the case:D ...but if it is I'm here
-TheMatador
phr
Bluelighter
Is there anyway we can edit the FAQ so the inaccurate/dangerous information leak can be dealt with?
As we all know, bad info can kill.
Just a thought, of course it's all up to you mods, but in the interest of harm reduction I think it's a good idea.
Shit, even if you guys didn't have time to do it or whatever I would for sure.
But you guys are great so I doubt that would be the case:D ...but if it is I'm here
-TheMatador
http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=441697