How to Teach Family Members to Recognize Overdose Symptoms

When someone you love is using drugs, the fear of an overdose isn’t just a thought-it’s a real, ticking clock. You might have seen them nod off after using, or heard them gasping for air, and wondered if this time was different. The truth is, most overdoses happen at home, and family members are often the first-and sometimes only-people who can act. Teaching your family how to recognize the signs of an overdose isn’t about scaring them. It’s about giving them the power to save a life.

What an Overdose Actually Looks Like

People often confuse being high with overdosing. That’s dangerous. Someone who’s high might be sleepy, giggly, or sluggish-but they’ll still respond if you shake them or shout their name. Someone who’s overdosing won’t. Not even a little.

For opioid overdoses-like those from heroin, fentanyl, or prescription painkillers-the signs are clear and urgent:

• Unresponsive: Shout their name. Shake their shoulder. Rub your knuckles hard on their sternum. If they don’t move, react, or open their eyes, that’s a red flag.
• Slow or stopped breathing: Watch their chest. Are they taking fewer than one breath every five seconds? Or worse-no breath at all? This is the most critical sign.
• Blue or gray lips and fingertips: On lighter skin, this looks like blue or purple. On darker skin, it’s more like ashen gray or dull purple. Don’t wait for the classic blue-gray is just as deadly.

You might also notice:

• A limp body, like a ragdoll.
• Clammy, cold skin.
• A gurgling or snoring sound-like they’re drowning in their own saliva. That’s called the “death rattle.”

For stimulant overdoses-like cocaine or meth-the signs are different. Instead of slow breathing, you’ll see:

• Extreme high body temperature (over 104°F).
• Seizures or violent shaking.
• Chest pain or racing heartbeat.
• Confusion, paranoia, or aggression.

The key difference? Stimulant overdoses are loud and frantic. Opioid overdoses are quiet and still. Both are emergencies.

Why Practice Makes the Difference

Reading about overdose signs isn’t enough. In a real emergency, your body goes into panic mode. Your mind blanks. That’s why training with real tools changes everything.

Studies show that families who practice with training naloxone kits remember 89% of what they learn after three months. Those who only watch videos or listen to lectures? Only 42% recall the steps. That’s more than double the chance of saving a life.

Here’s how to practice:

1. Get a training naloxone kit. These cost about $35 and come with a dummy injector-no medicine inside. You can get them free from local harm reduction programs or pharmacies in many states.
2. Use a mannequin or a pillow. Practice giving the injection into the outer thigh, just like you would on a person. Push until you hear a click. Hold it for five seconds.
3. Run scenarios. One person pretends to be unconscious. Others practice checking breathing, calling 999, and administering the naloxone. Do this three times. Don’t stop until it feels automatic.

One dad from Ohio told his story on Reddit: “After practicing three times with the training kit, I recognized my son’s overdose immediately and reversed it with Narcan before EMS arrived.” He didn’t guess. He didn’t hesitate. He acted.

How to Talk About It Without Scaring People

Talking about overdose can feel heavy. People worry it’ll make things worse. They think, “If I bring it up, maybe it’ll happen.” That’s a myth. Studies show families who talk about overdose are more likely to keep their loved ones safe.

Start simple. Say: “I care about you. If something happens, I want to know what to do. Let’s learn together.”

Use real examples. “I read that 78% of overdoses happen at home. That means if something goes wrong, we’re the ones who can help.”

Don’t wait for a crisis. Do it when things are calm. Maybe after watching a documentary, or when a news story comes on. Make it part of your family’s safety plan-like knowing where the fire extinguisher is.

What to Do When You See the Signs

If you suspect an overdose, don’t wait. Don’t try to wake them with cold water or coffee. Don’t leave them alone. Follow these steps:

1. Shout and shake: Try to wake them. If no response, move to step two.
2. Call 999: Say, “I think someone is overdosing.” Don’t apologize. Don’t explain. Just say it. Emergency services will come, even if drugs are involved.
3. Give naloxone: Use the training kit you practiced with. Inject into the thigh. One dose. Wait 2-3 minutes.
4. Start rescue breathing: If they’re not breathing, tilt their head back, pinch their nose, and give one breath every five seconds. Keep going until they breathe on their own or help arrives.
5. Give a second dose if needed: If they don’t respond after 3 minutes, give another naloxone dose. Fentanyl is strong-sometimes one shot isn’t enough.

Naloxone only works on opioids. It won’t hurt someone who didn’t take them. It’s safe. It’s simple. And it can bring someone back from the edge.

What You Need to Get Started

You don’t need a lot to be ready:

• Training naloxone kit: Get one from your local pharmacy, health clinic, or harm reduction center. Many are free.
• Skin tone guide: Print or save a picture showing how blue/gray looks on different skin tones. This helps avoid misreading symptoms.
• Emergency card: Write down the steps on a small card: “Shout. Shake. Call 999. Give Narcan. Breathe.” Keep it in your wallet or phone case.
• Access to free resources: The Overdose Lifeline app has video tutorials and step-by-step guides. The CDC’s website has printable checklists.

What Happens After You Save a Life

If you use naloxone and they wake up, they might be angry. They might yell. They might say, “Why did you do that?” That’s normal. Their brain is flooded with chemicals. They’re scared. They’re in withdrawal.

Don’t take it personally. Say: “I didn’t want to lose you. I love you. I’m here.”

Then, make sure they get medical help-even if they feel fine. Naloxone wears off in 30-90 minutes. If opioids are still in their system, they can slip back into overdose.

And after? Talk about next steps. Maybe it’s therapy. Maybe it’s a support group. Maybe it’s just knowing they’re not alone.

It’s Not About Judgment. It’s About Survival.

This isn’t about whether someone “deserves” to live. It’s not about right or wrong. It’s about the fact that your family member is still here-and you have the tools to keep them that way.

In the UK, over 4,000 people die from drug overdoses every year. Most of them are alone. But they don’t have to be. With a little training, your home can become a place of safety, not fear.

You don’t need to be a doctor. You don’t need to understand every drug. You just need to know what to look for-and what to do.

Start today. Practice with someone. Keep the kit in the same place as your first aid supplies. Talk about it like you would fire safety or car accidents.

Because when it matters most, you won’t have time to read a book. You’ll need to act. And you will.