Naloxone for Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression

The use of prescription and/or unregulated opioids increases a person's risk of experiencing respiratory depression and fatal overdose.  Some people are at higher risk of experiencing respiratory depression due to the characteristics of the substance taken, underlying conditions, drug interactions or social and environmental factors.  This program will teach participants how to effectively recognize and respond to an opioid-induced breathing emergency using the antidote naloxone.  Principles of harm reduction will be discussed to help participants understand some of the barriers people who use unregulated substances face on a daily basis. 

Learning Objectives:

1.  Identify risk factors for opioid-induced respiratory depression.

2.  Explain the cycle of opioid use disorder and mechanism of the opioid antagonist naloxone.

3.  Describe the process of responding to an overdose including supportive care.

4.  Discuss myths and stigma related to responding to an opioid-induced breathing emergency.