Naloxone (Narcan)

Naloxone — you'll often hear it called by the brand name Narcan — is an emergency medicine that can reverse an opioid overdose and bring someone back from the brink. It comes as a nasal spray or an injection, and it works fast. Put simply: it is one of the few things in addiction that can pull a person out of a situation that was about to kill them. That's why I want it written about plainly and without fear.

This is life-saving information, not something to be squeamish about. Knowing what naloxone is — and being willing to carry it — can mean the difference between a funeral and a second chance.

What naloxone does

During an opioid overdose — heroin, methadone, strong painkillers, fentanyl — breathing slows down and can stop altogether, which is what kills. Naloxone temporarily knocks the opioids off the receptors in the brain that control breathing, so the person starts breathing again. It works only on opioids — it won't do anything for other drugs — but for an opioid overdose it can be the thing that saves a life. It's safe: if you give it to someone and you turn out to be wrong about opioids being involved, it won't harm them. That's a big part of why there's no reason to hold back.

Anyone can carry it — and you always still call 999

You don't have to be a doctor or a paramedic to carry naloxone or to use it. In Ireland and the UK it's widely available — through pharmacies, the HSE, harm-reduction and drug services — often free, with quick training on how to use it. If you, a family member or a friend is at risk, having a kit nearby is one of the most practical, loving things you can do.

But naloxone buys time; it isn't the whole rescue. It can wear off before the opioids do, so the overdose can come back. Always call 999 (or 112) for an ambulance as well — every single time, even if the person seems to recover. While you wait, if they're breathing but not fully conscious, put them in the recovery position (on their side, head tilted back, mouth clear) so they don't choke, and stay with them until help arrives.

Why this matters in recovery

The riskiest moment for an opioid overdose is often after a break — after a detox, a spell in treatment, or any time off — because tolerance has dropped and the old amount is suddenly far too much. That's exactly when having naloxone to hand matters most. Carrying it isn't admitting defeat or planning to use; it's a seatbelt. It keeps a person alive long enough to get to the help and the life on the other side. If opioids are part of your story, you can read about getting help with heroin and opioid withdrawal when you're ready — and please carry the kit in the meantime.

Gary Clinton

Ireland's addiction specialist — CBT-qualified therapist, bestselling author of Never Give Up, and an ex-addict himself. Private one-to-one help for professionals, online and worldwide.