Ocean County Leader

AUGUST 31, 2022 IS INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY!  LEARN THE SIGNS OF OVERDOSE AND SAVE A LIFE.

Ocean County Overdose Response Resources

Drug Use and the Brain

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "when people take drugs, the brain becomes flooded with chemicals that take over the brain’s reward system and cause them to repeat behaviors that feel good but aren’t healthy. The brain adapts to continued drug use by developing a tolerance, which means it takes more of a drug to feel the same result. Not only does this lessen the brain’s ability to resist temptation, but it can also affect the amount of pleasure a person receives from normal, healthy activities like enjoying food or the company of others."

Opioids

Anyone who uses opioids is at risk of developing a substance use disorder, or overdosing. There are various types of opioids including prescription pain medication such as oxycodone or fentanyl, as well as illegal drugs such as heroin. Typically, prescription pain medications are generally safe if they are taken for a short time and as directed. However, the risk of developing a substance use disorder or overdosing increases when individuals misuse their prescription pain medications.

What is an Opioid Overdose?

Opioids affect the part of the brain that regulates our breathing. When individuals consume high doses of opioids, it can lead to an overdose, which can include slowing or stopping of breathing, and unfortunately death.

Opioid overdose is life-threatening and requires immediate attention. Knowing the signs of opioid overdose is critical for saving lives.

Some common symptoms of an overdose are:

-Extremely pale face and/or feeling clammy to the touch-Limp body-Purple or blue colored fingernails or lips-Vomiting or gurgling noises-A person cannot be awakened or/and is unable to speak-Slow or stopped heartbeat and/or breath

If You Think Someone is Overdosing

It may be difficult to know for sure whether a person is experiencing an overdose or not. However, if you are not sure, you should still treat it like an overdose and follow the steps below. You could save a life!1. Call 911 immediately!2. Administer Narcan/naloxone if it is available3. Try to keep the person awake and breathing4. Lay the person on their side to prevent any choking5. Stay with the person until emergency help arrives

Treatment Resources

If you are an Ocean County resident without health insurance coverage and are interested in receiving substance use treatment services, please contact our agency at 732-341-9700 Ext: 7538.

Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU) is providing life-saving substance use treatment to those without health insurance. To read more about the program, click here  

Call 844-276-2777, the toll-free number 24/7/365, for a referral to addiction treatment through the Interim Managing Entity (IME) Addictions Access Center.

Original source can be found here.