Duke City Recovery Toolbox offers our participants holistic care for opioid dependency and/or drug addiction, and that includes training participants, friends and family to use Narcan (also called naltrexone or naloxone) to reverse overdose.
Narcan Prescriptions
Narcan (one of the brand names of naloxone) is an opioid antagonist—it reverses the effects of opioids on the brain. It is the single most useful tool against opioid overdoses, and for that reason, every DCRT participant with a prescription for methadone or suboxone is also prescribed Narcan.
Weekly Narcan Training
Although participants are the ones receiving a prescription for Narcan, in the event of an overdose, you cannot administer the Narcan to yourself. It is imperative that your friends and/or family receive training in administering Narcan.
Duke City Recovery Toolbox offers training for participants and members of their recovery support networks during new participant orientation groups, which run every Wednesday at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Participants may also schedule appointments for Narcan training for themselves or friends and family.
Narcan Training Overview
During Narcan training, participants and their supports will learn how to:
- Recognize an overdose
- Clear airway obstructions and breathe for the overdosed person
- Administer the Narcan dose (nasal spray application)
- Care for the person after Narcan has taken effect
While training will equip you to assist a person experiencing opioid overdose, you can only help if Narcan is readily available. Participants: make sure you tell your friends and family where you store your prescription of Narcan and always make sure you have a sufficient supply. If your prescription needs to be refilled, please speak to a member of our medical staff to get a new prescription.
Prevent Overdose
Having Narcan on hand is not a license to abuse treatment medications or other substances. An overdose only hinders your recovery progress. You may effectively prevent overdosing by:
- Taking treatment medications as prescribed
- Avoiding mixing treatment medications with any other sedatives or uppers
- Always taking medications in the presence of a friend or family member trained to administer Narcan
Duke City Recovery Toolbox encourages safe use of treatment medications by requiring in-clinic dosing until participants have demonstrated a history of responsible usage and progress in their therapies.
To begin medication-assisted treatment that includes Narcan, please contact us to schedule an intake appointment. We also welcome walk-ins anytime between 6:00 and 8:00 am Monday through Thursday.
