Crisis and emergency
If someone is overdosing or in immediate danger, call 911 right now. Don't wait. This page covers what to do during an emergency, how to recognize an overdose, and how naloxone can save a life.
Call 911
If someone is unconscious, not breathing normally, or in immediate physical danger, call 911 first. Tell the dispatcher it may be an overdose.
Call 911Call or text 988
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Free, confidential, 24/7. For mental health crisis, suicidal thoughts, or emotional distress.
Call or text 988SAMHSA: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
National helpline for substance use. Free, confidential, 24/7. Treatment referrals and information for you or someone you love.
Call SAMHSAHow to tell if someone is overdosing
Overdose can look different depending on the substance, but most overdoses share these signs. If you see any of them, treat it as an emergency.
Signs of an opioid overdose
- Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing
- Blue or grayish lips, fingertips, or skin
- Limp body
- Choking, gurgling, or snoring sounds
- Unconscious or unresponsive when you try to wake them
- Pinpoint pupils
Signs of a stimulant overdose (cocaine, meth, MDMA)
- Chest pain or trouble breathing
- Very high body temperature, hot skin, heavy sweating
- Severe agitation, panic, or paranoia
- Seizures or shaking
- Loss of consciousness
Signs of alcohol poisoning
- Confusion or unconsciousness
- Vomiting, especially while passed out
- Slow or irregular breathing (less than 8 breaths per minute, or pauses of 10+ seconds)
- Cold, clammy, pale, or bluish skin
- Seizures
When in doubt, call 911. You will not get someone in trouble for calling. Most states have Good Samaritan laws that protect both the person overdosing and the person who calls for help.
What to do during an overdose
If you're with someone you think is overdosing, every minute matters. Here's what to do, in order.
- Call 911. Tell them it may be an overdose. Stay on the line. They will guide you.
- Give naloxone (Narcan) if you have it. It only works on opioid overdoses, but giving it cannot hurt someone who is not overdosing on opioids. If you're not sure what they took, give it anyway.
- Try to wake them. Shout their name. Rub your knuckles hard on their breastbone. If they don't respond, treat it as an emergency.
- Check their breathing. If they are not breathing or only gasping, start rescue breathing if you know how. Keep going until help arrives.
- Put them in the recovery position. If they are breathing on their own, lay them on their side with their top knee bent forward to keep their airway open and prevent choking on vomit.
- Stay with them. Do not leave them alone, even if they wake up. Overdose can come back, especially after naloxone wears off (30 to 90 minutes).
If you are alone and the person is unresponsive, call 911 first, then give naloxone, then start rescue breathing. The 911 dispatcher can walk you through every step.
Naloxone (Narcan): what it is and how to get it
Naloxone is a medicine that reverses opioid overdoses. It works in 2 to 5 minutes. It is safe, has no misuse potential, and cannot harm someone who is not overdosing on opioids. It is now sold over the counter in pharmacies across the United States, often as a nasal spray called Narcan.
How to use naloxone nasal spray
- Lay the person on their back.
- Tilt their head back and support their neck with your hand.
- Insert the nozzle into one nostril until your fingers touch the bottom of their nose.
- Press the plunger firmly to release the dose.
- Stay with them. If they don't wake up in 2 to 3 minutes, give a second dose in the other nostril.
- Even if they wake up, get them to a hospital. Naloxone wears off, and the overdose can come back.
How to get naloxone
- Most pharmacies sell Narcan over the counter without a prescription. Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, and most independent pharmacies carry it.
- Many community organizations and harm-reduction programs distribute naloxone for free. Search for 'naloxone' plus your state to find local options.
- Some health insurance plans cover naloxone. Ask your pharmacist.
- If you or someone you know uses opioids, or you have opioids in your home (including prescription painkillers), keeping naloxone on hand is reasonable preparation.
You will not get someone in trouble for calling 911
Most states have Good Samaritan laws that protect people from drug-related charges when they call 911 to report an overdose. These laws exist because the biggest reason people don't call for help is fear of arrest. The fear is understandable. The laws were written to remove it.
The specifics vary by state, and the protections aren't unlimited. But the consistent message from emergency medical and law enforcement professionals is clear: call. Saving a life matters more than anything else that might come up. The person overdosing cannot wait for the legal situation to be perfect.
What happens after
Surviving an overdose is not the end of the danger. The risk of another overdose is highest in the days and weeks after one happens, especially if the person leaves the hospital quickly. If someone you love has just survived an overdose, this is a critical moment to talk about treatment, not weeks from now.
Treatment options include medication for opioid use disorder (such as buprenorphine or methadone), residential or outpatient programs, and ongoing recovery support. The SAMHSA helpline (1-800-662-4357) can help you find local options. Our Find treatment page also lists ways to start the search.
About this site
TreatAddictions.com is an informational resource. We are not a treatment provider and we do not provide medical advice. The information on this page is intended to help you respond to a crisis, but it is not a substitute for emergency medical services or trained medical guidance. If you are facing an emergency, call 911.
Information on this page reflects guidance from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and standard emergency response practices. Last reviewed: May 2026.