What to do in an emergency

Recognising a drug overdose

Watch for these signs:

• Unresponsive – Won’t wake up when spoken to or shaken.
• Breathing problems – Slow, shallow, irregular, or stopped. Loud snoring/gurgling.
• Skin colour changes – Bluish lips/fingernails or grey/ashen tone.
• Pupil changes – Pinpoint pupils (opioids) or dilated pupils (stimulants).
• Other signs – Vomiting, seizures, confusion, chest pain.

If you suspect someone has had a drug overdose ...

1. Call 999 for an ambulance immediately. State “suspected drug overdose”. Don’t worry about getting in trouble—ambulances do not routinely bring police except in rare cases.
2. Check for breathing and responsiveness. Prepare to perform CPR if trained.
3. Put them in the recovery position if they are breathing but unconscious. You can find instructions in the NHS first aid guide.

4. Administer naloxone if you have a kit available. See here for information on naloxone and where to get a free naloxone kit and training on its use.
5. Stay with the person until the ambulance arrives. Keep them conscious and responsive if possible. Speak calmly and reassure them. Avoid overheating or chilling them. If outdoors, protect from direct sun or cold wind.

Alcohol poisoning

Alcohol poisoning can happen when you drink alcohol quicker than your body can process it. It can make you seriously ill and you may need to go to hospital for treatment.

Symptoms start after drinking a lot of alcohol and may include:

• confusion
• slurring words or being unable to speak
• being unable to coordinate movement, for example, being unable to stand, walk, or pick things up
• being sick
• peeing or pooing yourself
• pale or blue-tinged skin - on black or brown skin this may be easier to see inside the lips, on the gums and under the fingernails
• slow or irregular breathing
• having a seizure or fit
• loss of consciousness

Call 999 if:

• you think someone has alcohol poisoning
• you or someone else has had a seizure or fit
• someone has lost consciousness
• someone has stopped breathing

Do not drive yourself to A&E.

The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.

Things you can do to help someone who has drunk too much alcohol

Do

• stay with them because there's a risk they could choke on their own sick or stop breathing
• sit them up if they're awake, or put them in the recovery position if they've passed out and check they're breathing properly
• give them water to sip if they're able to swallow
• keep them warm with a jacket or blanket

Don’t

• don't let them drink more alcohol
• don't give them coffee or drinks containing caffeine because this can dehydrate people with alcohol poisoning
• don't put them in a cold shower or bath because there's a risk they could get too cold, fall or lose consciousness in the water
• don't try to make them sick

For information about alcohol support.