{"id":22665,"date":"2025-08-28T11:22:57","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T15:22:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/?p=22665"},"modified":"2026-04-30T13:19:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T17:19:47","slug":"how-to-prevent-and-recognize-an-opioid-overdose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/2025\/08\/28\/how-to-prevent-and-recognize-an-opioid-overdose\/","title":{"rendered":"How to recognize and prevent an opioid overdose"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Opioids are natural or synthetic chemicals that bind to receptors in your brain or body to reduce the intensity of pain signals reaching the brain. Doctors sometimes prescribe opioids to manage and treat moderate-to-severe pain. Opioids can cause a person\u2019s <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">breathing to slow down or stop<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2014 this is considered an overdose. Anyone taking prescription opioids is at risk for unintentional overdose or death. Anyone can become addicted to opioids,\u00a0regardless of race, gender, income level or social class. Common prescription opioid drugs include:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hydrocodone (such as Vicodin\u00ae, Norco\u00ae)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Oxycodone (such as OxyContin\u00ae, Percocet\u00ae)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Morphine (such as MS Contin\u00ae, Kadian\u00ae)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cOpioid overdoses continue to impact families and communities across our region, said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Substance Use Disorder Coordinator Jasmine Blue.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> \u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Knowing the signs of an overdose, carrying naloxone and knowing how to use it are steps one can take to save a life.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.overdoseday.com\/overdose-basics\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">International Overdose Awareness Day<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> is Aug. 31.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/drug-overdose-data\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Preliminary data<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> from 2024 (as of June 2025) show there were 1,403 drug overdose deaths among Virginia residents, a 43% decrease from 2023. For the same year, Richmond City saw a 40% decrease in drug overdose deaths and a 46% decrease in opioid overdose deaths. Henrico County saw a 51% decrease in drug overdose deaths and a 54% decrease in opioid overdose deaths.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How to spot an opioid overdose:<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose and acting quickly can save a life. Here are some signs to look for:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The person is showing no movement or cannot be woken up<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dizziness and disorientation<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Discoloration of lips and nails<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Extremely small pupils<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Slow or no breathing<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Choking, coughing, gurgling or snoring sounds<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Cold or clammy skin<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How to stop an opioid overdose:<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/stop-overdose\/media\/pdfs\/2024\/04\/Naloxone-Fact-Sheet-508.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Naloxone<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> is a medication used to rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Naloxone works by blocking the effects of opioids, including heroin, fentanyl and prescription opioid medications. Naloxone is the generic name, and the medication can be found under the brand name of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.narcan.com\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Narcan<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u00ae. Naloxone is available in two forms\u2013injectable and prepackaged nasal spray.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Naloxone may be covered by your insurance provider. You may be able to get naloxone at little to no cost through community groups and RHHD.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">RHHD dispenses naloxone at the following locations:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"50\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/clinical-services\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Cary Street Clinic<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">400 E. Cary St.<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mondays, 8-10 a.m.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"50\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/henrico.gov\/locations\/human-services\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Henrico West Clinic<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">8600 Dixon Powers Drive<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Thursdays, 2-4 p.m.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"50\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/resource-centers\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Resource Centers<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Monday- Friday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"50\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Community sites via\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/opioids\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">mobile unit<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"50\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(scroll to RHHD Naloxone Dispensing Schedule).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The City of Richmond has installed two <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/rva.gov\/human-services-press-releases-and-announcements\/news\/city-richmond-installs-harm-reduction-vending\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">harm reduction vending machines<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> at locations across the city. These machines provide free, 24\/7 access to life-saving resources such as naloxone (Narcan), fentanyl test strips and personal hygiene items. Machines are now operational at:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Marshall Plaza (900 E. Marshall St.)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Southside Plaza (4100 Hull St.)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Individuals are at increased risk for an opioid overdose if they are:<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Leaving emergency care for overdoses<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:false,&quot;134245529&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Experiencing loss of tolerance due to detox, incarceration or abstinence-based treatment<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:false,&quot;134245529&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Enrolled in treatment programs<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:false,&quot;134245529&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In active substance use<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:false,&quot;134245529&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Certain circumstances create a higher risk of opioid overdose emergency, including:<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Prior overdose<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mixing drugs \u2013 combining opioids with other drugs, including alcohol, stimulants or depressants.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Stimulants and depressants do not cancel each other out<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Using opioids alone<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Variations in strength or quantity or changing formulations (e.g., switching from quick acting to long lasting\/extended release)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Medical conditions such as chronic lung disease or kidney or liver problems<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Opioids are natural or synthetic chemicals that bind to receptors in your brain or body to reduce the intensity of pain signals reaching the brain. Doctors sometimes prescribe opioids to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":590,"featured_media":21766,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no","footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22665","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"modified_by":"bryanhooten","yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to recognize and prevent an opioid overdose - Richmond City Health Department<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/2025\/08\/28\/how-to-prevent-and-recognize-an-opioid-overdose\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to recognize and prevent an opioid overdose - Richmond City Health Department\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Opioids are natural or synthetic chemicals that bind to receptors in your brain or body to reduce the intensity of pain signals reaching the brain. 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