If your loved one is using drugs, you know that they’re putting their life in danger. It can be hard to step back and watch as someone you care about moves through a downward spiral. One of the most important things that you can do for their health is to be on the lookout for heroin overdose symptoms. An overdose can happen quickly and without warning. Some people who have been using opioids for years overdose suddenly, even though they don’t seem to have used more of the drug than normal. Since street drugs vary in strength and are not regulated, overdoses can happen when a user gets a particularly strong batch. Let’s take a look at the heroin overdose symptoms you need to know and your options for heroin addiction treatment and heroin detox.

Heroin Overdose Symptoms

If you have a loved one using opioids, you must be on high alert for heroin overdose symptoms. Recognizing symptoms and taking action can be the difference between life and death for using drugs. Heroin overdose symptoms may include:

Complete loss of consciousness
Change in skin tone (for lighter-skinned people, the skin may appear bluish, for darker-skinned people, the skin may appear ashen or gray)
Body is limp and/ or unresponsive to touch
Slowed/ erratic/ nonexistent breathing or heart rate

When someone you care about shows heroin overdose symptoms, it can be terrifying. You must stay calm and take action.

Heroin Overdose Emergency Treatment

Death from overdose is rare, but it does happen. It’s important to take action right away if you think someone you love has overdosed. First, try to wake the person up and check to see if they are breathing. If they do not wake up, try to stimulate their body by grinding your knuckles into their breastbone for 5-10 seconds. After you’ve assessed the person and believe that they are showing heroin overdose symptoms, either call for help or administer Naloxone (Narcan) right away. If the person does not regain consciousness, administer Narcan again after 2 to 5 minutes. If the person is still not breathing, give CPR or do rescue breathing until help arrives. When the person wakes up, explain to them what happened. Be there to support them and ensure that they get medical attention.

However, individuals struggling with heroin addiction shouldn’t wait for an emergency to arise before finding help. There are programs available that can address the unique needs of every person who comes to Santé Center for Healing. We offer progressive addiction treatment programs such as:

Alongside these addiction treatment programs, we offer programs geared specifically to the needs of certain professionals in high-stress or high-risk fields, such as attorneys, executives, and medical professionals, among others. Whatever your needs, Sante Center for Healing can help.

Explore the Therapeutic Options at Santé Center For Healing

If you or your loved one are ready to take steps toward a sober life, it’s important to seek treatment. At Santé Center For Healing, we understand that our clients are unique, and their treatment needs to be unique as well. We offer many different therapies tailored to meet the needs of our clients. When you or your loved one arrive for treatment at Santé Center For Healing, you’ll talk with your therapist about your treatment needs. Together, you’ll develop a treatment plan that involves multiple modalities of treatment. Your personalized treatment plan may include:

These are just some of the therapies we offer. By providing a variety of options, individuals stand a better chance of getting their specific issues addressed. Help your loved one today by reaching out to us.

While only your loved when can decide to get help for their addiction, support from family and friends can go a long way in helping them see that there is hope for a better life. Call Santé Center For Healing today at 866.238.3154 to learn more about how we can help your loved one begin to get their life back. We believe in the power of family support, and we can help you with ideas for getting your loved one to treatment. There is hope for recovery, and your loved one is lucky to have someone in their life who is looking out for their well-being.