Heroin Overdose: Symptoms & Treatment

Heroin is a highly addictive illegal opioid that exposes users to a number of dangerous consequences, including overdose.¹ what can be done for a heroin overdose. In 2021, 9173 people died from an overdose involving heroin.¹

In this article, you will learn more about what a heroin overdose is, the signs and symptoms of heroin overdose, and how to help someone who is overdosing on heroin. We’ll also discuss the risk of fentanyl-laced heroin and how to prevent heroin overdose.

What Is a Heroin Overdose?

An overdose occurs when someone takes more heroin than their body can handle which results in a  chain reaction, overwhelming the body’s systems and shutting down vital organs.² When a person overdoses on heroin their breathing will slow dramatically or, in some cases, stop altogether depriving the brain and heart of oxygen.² Heroin overdose can be fatal if there is no timely intervention.²

Combining opioids with other central nervous system depressants, such as benzodiazepines and alcohol, increases the risk of accidental overdose exponentially.²

Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Overdose

Being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of a heroin overdose can help aid others with a suspected overdose and potentially save a life: If you suspect someone has overdosed, look for signs such as:³

• Skin that is pale and clammy to the touch.
•  Limp body.
• Lips and fingertips that have a bluish tint.
• Vomiting or gurgling noises.
• Difficulty to arouse or awaken.
• Slowed or labored breathing.

How to Help Someone Overdosing on Heroin

A heroin overdose is a medical emergency, and swift action should be taken. If you suspect an overdose you should immediately:⁴

• Call 911.
• Administer naloxone, if available.
• Attempt to keep the person awake.
• Place the person on their side to prevent choking.
• Remain with the person until paramedics arrive.

Narcan for Heroin Overdose

Narcan is the brand name for naloxone, and is a fast-acting, easy-to-use intranasal medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose and restores breathing.² The other brand names for the intranasal naloxone are Kloxxado and RiVive.²

Naloxone should be administered immediately if you suspect an overdose, even if you’re not sure if it is an opioid overdose. Naloxone is not harmful to people who are not experiencing an opioid overdose, so it is better to be safe than sorry.²

Risk of Fentanyl-Laced Heroin

Heroin itself is a highly addictive and dangerous drug, but the presence of fentanyl adds another layer of terrifying risk. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be 50 times more potent than heroin.⁵ Because it is so potent, it takes relatively little fentanyl to cause a devastating overdose.² Fentanyl is so commonly laced with other illicit drugs, it is now involved in most drug overdoses in the United States.²

How to Prevent Heroin Overdose

The foundation of overdose prevention begins with understanding the risk factors for overdose and then taking steps to reduce those risks. Some of the risks for overdose include:²

• Using more heroin than you would normally use.
• Using heroin after a period of abstinence. 
• Experiencing a prior overdose.
• Using heroin if you have lung or heart conditions (sleep apnea and asthma).
• Combining heroin with other drugs such as benzodiazepines or alcohol.
• Using heroin from an unfamiliar source.

Just as there are things that may increase the likelihood of a heroin overdose, there are also things that can reduce that risk. These factors include:²

• Having Naloxone in an easily accessible place. This medication can reverse an opioid overdose in an emergency. It’s available in all 50 states, many of which offer training.
• Fentanyl test strips (FTS) are a cost-effective tool that can save lives by detecting the presence of fentanyl in drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin, helping prevent overdoses. The tests can be ordered online and delivered directly to your door.
• Seeking treatment for heroin use. Treatment programs aim to equip individuals with the tools and support needed to abstain from heroin use altogether. This eliminates the direct risk of overdose associated with taking the drug.

Heroin Addiction Treatment near Tampa, Fla.

If you or someone you love is struggling with heroin addiction, you should know that there is effective treatment that can help. At our inpatient rehab near Tampa, we use evidence-based care to help people reclaim their lives from the effects of addiction.

Contact our knowledgeable and compassionate admissions navigators at to learn more about our different levels of care, to discuss your treatment options, and to help you start admissions. Our navigators can also go over using insurance coverage for rehab or other ways to pay for treatment.

Remember, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. Take the first steps toward a healthier life and call us today.