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Recovery isn’t just about the work someone does for themselves. It’s also about the people around them knowing how to respond when a crisis hits. An overdose is one of those moments where the right information, or the wrong assumption, can be the difference between life and death.
Every year on August 31, International Overdose Awareness Day brings people together to remember those lost to overdose, support the ones left behind, and push back against the stigma that keeps so many from getting help. It’s a day built around a simple truth: overdose can touch any family, and understanding it is one of the most important steps toward prevention.
This year’s theme, “25 Years On. Still Needed.,” shares the reality behind the importance of this day. According to their website, “For 25 years, International Overdose Awareness Day has brought people together to remember those we’ve lost and to take action to save lives. The truth is, we shouldn’t still need this day. But we do.
Overdose continues to affect every community. Yet it can be prevented. We know how to reduce risk and keep people safe. By speaking openly, learning from one another, and treating each other with care and respect, we build a world where fewer lives are lost. Because while this day is still needed, it doesn’t have to be forever.”
So What is an Overdose?
In this episode, Dr. Jason Powers walks through what an overdose actually is, breaks down the myths that keep people from stepping in to help, and explains why naloxone belongs in more homes and bags than people realize.
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“An overdose occurs when somebody consumes a toxic amount of a substance, whether it’s drugs, alcohol, or medication, and this can lead to severe health complications, including death.”
It may sound straightforward, however, overdose doesn’t always look the way people expect. In fact, it isn’t limited to illicit drugs. Prescription medications, alcohol, and even combinations of substances that seem harmless on their own can add up to a toxic amount in the body.
What makes it dangerous is how many variables are at play at once, including what substance is involved, how much was taken, and how a person’s body responds. That unpredictability is exactly why the myths surrounding overdose are so dangerous. They give people a false sense of who’s at risk and what actually needs to happen when someone is in trouble.
Dispelling Four Common Overdose Myths
Myth 1: Overdose Only Happens to Long-Term Users
The first myth Dr. Powers tackles is the idea that overdose only happens to people who’ve been using for a long time. In fact, anyone can overdose, even on a first time using or touching a substance or from taking a prescribed medication incorrectly. Dr. Powers also shares that there have been first responders who have overdosed just from skin contact with fentanyl. Whether someone has used before has nothing to do with their risk. Body weight, overall health, and whatever else might be in their system all can play a factor.
Myth 2: Overdoses Happen Instantly
There’s also the assumption that overdoses happen instantly, like flipping a switch. In reality, they can build gradually, and the early symptoms aren’t always obvious. That’s exactly why Dr. Powers stresses acting fast the moment something feels off.
“If you suspect somebody’s overdosing, give them naloxone, and if you’re not sure what drug it is, it’s fine. Give them naloxone.”
Myth 3: You Can Sleep Off an Overdose
Then there’s the myth that someone can just sleep off an overdose. However, that’s simply not true. An overdose is a medical emergency, and waiting to see if someone comes out of it on their own can cost them their life. What can look like sleep is often the body shutting down, with breathing slowing or stopping altogether while oxygen to the brain drops. The sooner the individual has access to emergency care, the better the chance of recovery.
Myth 4: Calling 911 Will Get You Arrested
And one that stops a lot of people from calling for help in the first place: the fear that if you’re with someone who overdoses, calling 911 will get you arrested. Many places have Good Samaritan laws designed specifically to protect people who seek help during an overdose situation.
“It’s always better to save a life than worry about potential legal issues.”
Why Education Matters
These myths stick around because most people simply haven’t been given the facts, which is exactly why International Overdose Awareness Day exists. Prevention starts with education, and the more people are equipped with the right tools and knowledge, the better the outcomes. However, education alone isn’t enough. It has to be paired with support, whether that’s a friend who knows how to use naloxone, a community willing to talk openly about overdose, or a treatment team ready to help someone take the next step.
The Importance of Making Narcan Readily Available
Once you understand the risks of overdose, the next question is what you can actually do about it. That’s where naloxone, better known by the brand name Narcan, comes in. It’s an opioid antagonist, meaning it blocks the effects of opioids and can reverse an overdose fast, often within minutes. And because it has a short half-life, it may need to be given more than once during a single episode.
Dr. Powers breaks down why it’s worth having on hand. It’s easy to use, whether as a nasal spray or an injection. It’s not addictive, since it isn’t an opiate itself, and there’s no potential for abuse. Many community programs offer it free or at low cost. He also addresses a common fear that having naloxone around might encourage riskier use. However, studies have shown that the availability of Narcan does not increase drug use.
One thing he notes is that naloxone can trigger sudden, severe withdrawal symptoms. He shares a memory from medical school of watching someone go from unresponsive to combative within moments of receiving it. While it can be jarring to witness, it serves as a reminder that whoever administers it should be ready to offer additional support and get the person connected to further care right away.
Why International Overdose Awareness Day Matters
International Overdose Awareness Day isn’t just about facts and prevention, though. It’s also a day to pause and remember the lives and families who have been impacted by overdose. Behind every statistic is a person, a family, a community that carries the weight of that loss every single day. This day exists to make sure those lives aren’t reduced to a number, and to make sure their loved ones know their grief is seen.
It’s also a day of hope. Awareness saves lives. Every conversation about overdose, every person who learns how to use naloxone, and every myth that gets replaced with truth is a step toward fewer families experiencing that same loss. Remembering those we’ve lost and working to protect those still here aren’t separate goals, they go hand in hand.
You Are Not Your Past
Beyond the facts and the tools, Dr. Powers leaves listeners with something more personal. Addiction, and even a moment of relapse or overdose, doesn’t define a person’s worth or where their story ends.
“Just because of what you did doesn’t define who you are today, and where you’ve been doesn’t determine where you’re headed.”
People don’t have to accept a story of shame handed to them by others, and they don’t have to believe a negative story that plays in their own head either. Recovery isn’t about erasing the past; it’s about deciding what comes next. And every day someone chooses to keep going is proof that a new story is already being written.
Want More Positive Recovery MD Podcast Episodes?
If this conversation resonated with you, whether it’s the myths around overdose, the honest breakdown of naloxone, or the reminder that no one has to face this alone, you can listen to the full episode here. It’s a fitting conversation to revisit every year as International Overdose Awareness Day approaches.
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