There are many among us as addicts in recovery who have died one too many times. It’s a miracle- an absolute miracle- that we made it out of our active addiction alive and are able to recover, then help others who are facing the same fate. Overdose is not necessarily a final destination for people who experience it. Overdose can be temporary, lead to a coma, or ast for several minutes. Standerby’s are able to resuscitate. First responders who are called can use a defibrillator to get the heart going again. Today, there is an increasing availability of a drug called Narcan which is reversing opioids and saving lives on a regular basis.
Narcan, also called Naloxone, is an opioid reversal drug. Administered through an injection or a nasal spray, the opioid antagonist blocks the opioid receptors and blocks any further sensation or side effect produced by the opioid drugs in the system. Basically, the Narcan prevents opioids from being opioids and stops the flow of the drugs in the bloodstream. Almost immediately, someone in the midst of an opioid overdose is revived and brought back to life. There is no standard on how often this drug can be used. Many people have come back from many overdoses and continue to risk their second, or umpteenth chance at life. As the statistics regarding the opioid epidemic reveal, however, far too many people don’t have another chance when they overdose. In 2014, opioid overdose deaths accounted for more deaths than car crashes and gun violence in America. It is now considered a leading cause of death.
Horrifyingly, there are people who criticize the use of medications like Narcan, emphasizing the stigma and shame addicts and alcoholics face. They purport that addicts shouldn’t be given such assistance because addicts choose to continue using drugs. What they’re saying is addicts don’t deserve to live. Addicts should just die. Physically, each person will have an undeterminable threshold on how many times they can be revived from overdose. Ethically, there is no limit. For a patient with diabetes who refuses to stop eating sweets, a doctor would never refuse treatment and let their patients suffer. Addicts and alcoholics are real people, with a real medical problem who need real help to get better.
Lakehouse Recovery Center offers residential treatment programs for detox and inpatient as well as a unique twelve month aftercare with transitional living. We take recovery seriously. For information, call us today at: 877.762.3707.