Naloxone is Saving Lives

A Life-Changing Antagonist

With the opioid epidemic overcoming much of the nation, the need for a drug that reverses opioid overdoses has never been in more of a demand. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that can quickly reverse a narcotic overdose when it is caught in time. It works by attaching to the opioid receptors in the brain and block the effects of the opioid. The most popular brands in which Naloxone is sold under are Evzio and Narcan.

The fast-acting antagonist is not to be mistaken with being a treatment for opioid addiction, rather, it acts as a defibrillator, in a sense, which works to revive the individual back to consciousness. If an individual is brought back to consciousness after an opioid overdose, they are likely to continue to use drugs without getting any sort of treatment for their addiction. Sometimes, even a near-death experience is not enough to get these individuals into treatment. This is how serious the opioid epidemic truly is across North America.

How Does Naloxone Help?

Since opioids and other narcotic drugs work to suppress the way the body functions, it puts the individual at an increased risk of experiencing very harmful side effects. Some of these side effects include difficulty breathing, coughing, and digestive issues. In severe cases, the individual will stop breathing altogether which is when Naloxone comes into the picture.

There are a few symptoms to look out for if you feel as though you are witnessing an individual on their way to an opioid overdose:

  • Slow breathing
  • Gurgling noses due to obstructed airways
  • Turning blue
  • Floppy limbs
  • Confused
  • Non-responsive

When an individual exhibits these symptoms, it is likely that they are struggling with an overdose and need immediate medical attention. When the Nalozne has been sprayed up the individual nasal passage or injected into a muscle, the reverse of the drug occurs in a matter of seconds. If an overdose is not caught in time, the individual faces a life and death situation.

When an individual has been revived, they may feel the effects of withdrawal setting in. withdrawal symptoms are often the main deterrent for individuals when it comes to seeking help as they simply do not want to go through the painful withdrawal symptoms. To these individuals, continuing down a road of addiction is much easier than enduring withdrawal but is a decision that can cost you your life at any moments time.

Addiction Treatment

Although the advent of Naloxone is saving millions of lives across the nation, it is not the answer to the drug epidemic faced today. It is simply a ‘wake up call’ for those who have almost overdosed on drugs so that they can have a sense of urgency in seeking help for their addiction.

If you or someone close to you is struggling with an addiction to opioids, there is help available. Through medical detox and an intense addiction treatment program, recovery is possible. Do not allow your addiction to control your life any longer; the key to a happy life is being drug-free and that begins with addiction treatment.



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