Why Overdose Awareness Day is Important

This Overdose Awareness Day, we are hoping to build awareness on what an overdose can look like, who it can affect and why we need to break the addiction stigma.

Peter, a senior counsellor in our Ngalla Wirring Wungening AOD team, reminds us of why it’s important to seek help, where to seek help and about how it can change and save a life.

” As a counsellor in AOD, I think there is a stigma in general around people, in the community with AOD issues. It seems to stem from a lack of understanding of it being a health issue rather than a moral issue.

“Often too, this leads to people being more hesitant to get support when it comes to their use or in crisis situations when there’s an overdose. This hesitance for support is not just from people going through addiction, but also those around them too”

Peter says working at Wungening has helped him see the way people can recover and overcome their substance issues, but has also seen what an overdose can look like in its many forms.

“I work with clients in the community that are seeking support for their alcohol and drug use. I’ve seen overdoses. They can look different depending on the substance the person has ingested.”

Peter says to look for the following differing signs:

– non-responsive

– not breathing

– vomiting

-cold and clammy

and if these are seen, to seek emergency medical help by calling an ambulance.

However, it is also important to note that differing substances such as benzodiazepines and opiates that have an increased risk of an overdose, if there isn’t medical attention received in time. In situations where you know or assume opioids have been present, Naloxone can be used.

Naloxone is a safe, temporary medication that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. It acts as an opioid antagonist, meaning it strongly binds to opioid receptors in the brain, knocking off and blocking other opioids like heroin, fentanyl or oxycodone to quickly restore breathing for a 30–90 minute period. It is important to note that when this kicks in, withdrawal symptoms can present themselves, and that because of the short span of Naloxone compared to opioids medical attention must be sought immediately before the patient wakes up.

Peter says he’s seen first-hand the effects of an overdose.

“I’ve seen it first-hand in my personal life with friends as well as with clients that I’ve worked with at Wungening.

“Impacts can be quite long lasting on both physical and mental health.”

The best thing Peter recommends doing if you or someone you know may be struggling with addiction?

Encourage them to reach out to help.

“If you have a loved one, a family member or a friend that’s struggling at the moment and they’re going through active addiction with AOD use, it’s important to show that you care in a non-judgmental way. And I would encourage anyone out there to seek support in services such as Wungening.”

“Wungening in particular, it’s a safe space. There’s no judgment here from the staff and other clients.

“And it’s a place that you can come into and feel comfortable sharing your concerns and starting that journey into recovery.”

If you or anyone you know may need help with AOD addiction, please contact the following:

Aboriginal Crisis Support Line
13YARN (13 92 76)

Alcohol and Drug Support Line
(08) 9442 5000

Wungening AOD program
(08) 9221 1411