Short answer: Call emergency services. If an opioid overdose is possible and naloxone is available, give it according to the product instructions. Stay with the person when it is safe and follow the dispatcher’s directions.
Response steps
- Call 911. Tell the dispatcher that someone may be overdosing and give the location. Put the phone on speaker if you can do so safely.
- Give naloxone if available. If an opioid overdose is possible, use the naloxone product according to its instructions. Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose when given in time.
- Follow the dispatcher’s instructions. The dispatcher can guide you through the next actions, including breathing support or other emergency care.
- Stay with the person when it is safe. Keep watching and communicating what you observe. Tell responders what you know when they arrive.
Keep nearby
Possible overdose?
- Call 911.
- Give naloxone if available and an opioid overdose is possible.
- Follow dispatcher instructions.
- Stay with the person when safe.
Do not leave someone alone to find perfect information. Emergency responders are the right source for immediate instructions.
After help arrives
Tell responders what you observed, what the person may have taken if you know, and whether naloxone was given. If the person survives, they may still need medical evaluation and support. Use the original CDC guidance for current details.
Sources and limits
This page is an orientation and print resource, not a substitute for emergency services, medical care, or local advice. Product instructions, laws, and emergency procedures can vary.