Naloxone in the Waco area: what to do during an overdose, and what comes next
Waco-area TV station KXXV recently looked at why overdose deaths in McLennan County seem to be easing, and a local addiction professional pointed to one likely factor: naloxone (brand name Narcan) is now easy to buy without a prescription. The same story found that many people in Waco had never thought about carrying it.
This post covers three practical things: how to recognize an opioid overdose, what to do in the moment, and what a realistic next step looks like once everyone is safe.
Naloxone is over the counter now
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan 4 mg nasal spray for over-the-counter sale on March 29, 2023, which opened the door to selling it in drug stores, grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations and online. You don't need a prescription. The CDC also notes it can be found through community naloxone programs.
Naloxone works by blocking the effects of opioids, including fentanyl, heroin and prescription pain medicines. It does not reverse overdoses from non-opioid drugs, but the CDC says it won't harm someone who isn't having an opioid overdose, so if you aren't sure, use it.
Signs someone may be overdosing
According to the CDC, watch for:
- They can't be woken up or are unconscious.
- Breathing is slow, shallow, or has stopped, or they're making choking, gurgling or snoring sounds and can't be woken.
- Lips or nails look discolored.
- Pupils are very small ("pinpoint") and don't react to light.
It can be hard to tell whether someone is very high or overdosing. The CDC's advice is simple: if you're not sure, treat it like an overdose.
What to do, step by step
The CDC's steps for bystanders:
- Give naloxone if you have it, and call 911.
- Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
- Lay them on their side so they don't choke.
- Stay with them until help arrives.
If breathing doesn't return after one dose, the CDC suggests waiting two to three minutes before giving a second dose. Stronger opioids like fentanyl sometimes need more than one. Because naloxone can wear off, the CDC advises staying with the person until emergency help arrives, or for at least four hours, to make sure their breathing stays normal.
Don't hold back from calling 911 out of fear of getting someone in trouble. The CDC notes that most states have Good Samaritan laws that may protect the person overdosing and the person who calls for help. If you have questions about how that applies in Texas, ask an attorney or a local official.
Naloxone saves a life. Treatment is the next step.
Naloxone buys time; it doesn't treat the substance use underneath. An overdose, or even a close call, is often the moment a person or family is ready to talk about help.
Here's what that conversation usually covers:
- Is detox or inpatient care needed first? Some people need medically supervised withdrawal or a residential stay before outpatient care makes sense, especially after heavy or long-term use. That's a medical question, and it's worth asking a doctor or an admissions team directly.
- Is outpatient care a fit? Programs like partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) let people keep living at home while attending treatment several days a week.
- What does insurance cover? An admissions team can check benefits before anyone commits.
Stages of Recovery's Waco-area office is at 700 Robinson Dr in Robinson. The Joint Commission's provider directory lists partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient and outpatient therapy at that address. Stages does not provide detox or residential care, but if one of those is the right first step, our admissions team will tell you honestly and point you toward licensed options through free public resources such as SAMHSA's FindTreatment.gov, then help plan outpatient care for afterward. Texas and Oklahoma residents may also be able to join our online IOP, depending on clinical fit.
You can call admissions at (806) 848-0051 for yourself or for someone you love. Asking questions doesn't commit you to anything.
In a crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). In an emergency, call 911.