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Robin Campbell, LMFT, PHD Narcan has become an important part of overdose prevention as Tennessee communities face synthetic opioids and opioid dependence.
Maverick
Clinical Editorial Team
Narcan has become an important part of overdose prevention as Tennessee communities face synthetic opioids and opioid dependence. Today, OTC Narcan nasal spray is available over the counter and without a prescription, making this FDA approved opioid antagonist easier for families, caregivers, and community members to access. Whether kept in a first aid kit, obtained from a pharmacist, or purchased at grocery stores, naloxone nasal spray can play a life saving role during an opioid emergency.
In this newsletter, we will look at what Narcan is, where Knoxville families can find it, how naloxone hydrochloride works, and why expanding access can make all the difference during an accidental overdose. We will also cover Good Samaritan basics, emergency treatment, and how fast action can help save lives.
Narcan is a brand name for naloxone, a medication that can quickly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It works by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain and blocking opioids such as fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, morphine, and hydrocodone. When given during an overdose, Narcan may help restore normal breathing and improve responsiveness while emergency medical help is on the way. It is available as an easy-to-use nasal spray and is considered a key tool in overdose prevention.
Opioid overdoses can happen in homes, vehicles, workplaces, schools, and public places. Many overdoses involve prescription opioids, heroin, fentanyl, or counterfeit pills that contain fentanyl without a person’s knowledge. Keeping Narcan at home allows family members, friends, and caregivers to respond quickly during an emergency while waiting for first responders to arrive.
An opioid overdose occurs when opioids cause life threatening depression of the central nervous system and respiratory system, slowing or stopping a person’s breathing. As oxygen levels drop, the brain, heart, and other organs can begin to fail. Without immediate intervention, an opioid overdose can lead to permanent brain injury, coma, or death.
A person who shows signs of an opioid overdose may have small pupils, slow or no breathing, and loss of consciousness.
Several opioids are commonly involved in overdose cases across Tennessee. These include illicit fentanyl, heroin, prescription oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco), morphine, methadone, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), codeine, and counterfeit pills made to look like prescription medications. Fentanyl remains one of the most dangerous substances because it is extremely potent and is often mixed into other drugs without the user’s knowledge.
Call 911 as soon as an overdose is suspected, even if Narcan has been given. Narcan may wear off before the opioids leave the body, which can cause overdose symptoms to return. Emergency medical care is important because additional treatment, monitoring, or repeat doses may be necessary.
Tennessee’s Good Samaritan protections are intended to encourage people to seek emergency help during an overdose. These laws may provide certain legal protections for people who call 911 in good faith to report an overdose emergency. Families should focus on getting immediate medical help rather than delaying due to fear of legal consequences.
Narcan is available at many pharmacies, local health departments, healthcare providers, community outreach programs, overdose prevention groups, and some nonprofit organizations in Knoxville and Knox County. Free naloxone programs can lower cost barriers, teach families how to use Narcan, and connect people to addiction treatment resources after an overdose.
Fentanyl is significantly more potent than many other opioids and is involved in a large percentage of overdose deaths. It is frequently found in counterfeit pills and mixed into substances such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin. Because fentanyl can cause rapid respiratory failure, having Narcan readily available may provide critical time until emergency medical services arrive.
Narcan is generally safe and has no effect on someone without opioids in their system. Side effects may include nausea, vomiting, sweating, agitation, rapid heart rate, body aches, and opioid withdrawal symptoms. Some overdoses need multiple doses because fentanyl or other substances may outlast naloxone. FDA and Disease Control updates, including an Emergent BioSolutions press release, note that Narcan changed prescription status from Rx to over the counter while keeping its original prescription strength, effectiveness, and non-injected design; families should insert device tip correctly, avoid confusing it with nasal swabs or dietary supplements, and press plunger firmly.
Continue monitoring the person closely after Narcan is administered. Opioid overdose symptoms can return when naloxone wears off, especially when long-acting opioids or fentanyl are involved. Emergency medical evaluation is important even if the person appears fully awake and alert.
Tennessee continues to face significant challenges related to opioid misuse and overdose deaths. Fentanyl has become a major driver of fatal overdoses across the state, contributing to thousands of emergency department visits and overdose-related deaths each year. Public health agencies continue to expand prevention, education, naloxone distribution, and treatment efforts to address the ongoing opioid crisis.
Short-Term:
Long-Term:
Alcohol, benzodiazepines like Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan, and sedatives like Ambien can slow breathing when mixed with opioids. Other drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, gabapentin, muscle relaxers, and counterfeit pills can also increase overdose risk. This risk is higher when fentanyl is present because a person may not know how strong the drug is or what substances were mixed into it.
Opioid addiction often occurs with depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, OCD, ADHD, and trauma-related symptoms. These conditions can increase cravings, worsen stress, disrupt sleep, and make it harder to stop using opioids without support. Some people use opioids to cope with emotional pain, panic, trauma memories, or mood changes.
Treating opioid use and mental health symptoms together can reduce relapse risk and support long-term recovery. Integrated care may include therapy, medication management, relapse prevention, family support, and structured outpatient or residential treatment.
Narcan can save a life during an overdose, but it does not treat opioid addiction. After the emergency passes, families can use that moment to connect their loved one with detox, outpatient care, medication-assisted treatment, therapy, or residential treatment.
Families can support recovery by staying calm, removing access to substances when possible, keeping Narcan nearby, and encouraging treatment. They can also help by setting clear boundaries, learning overdose warning signs, and connecting their loved one to medical care. Loved ones may need their own support after the fear and stress of an overdose.
A relapse prevention plan helps identify triggers, cravings, high-risk people, unsafe places, and warning signs. It should also include emergency contacts, therapy support, medication plans, Narcan access, and steps to take if cravings return. A strong plan can help the person move from crisis response into ongoing addiction treatment.
Seek help after any overdose, repeated opioid use, strong cravings, withdrawal symptoms, failed attempts to quit, or opioid use with alcohol or benzodiazepines. Help is also needed when substance use affects work, school, family, health, or mental health.
Many insurance plans cover opioid addiction treatment, but coverage depends on the plan, provider network, medical need, and level of care. Families can verify benefits before starting detox, residential treatment, outpatient care, IOP, therapy, or medication-assisted treatment.
Narcan is a life saving medicine that can rapidly reverse an opioid emergency affecting the central nervous system and respiratory system. Knowing how to administer naloxone, follow device instructions, press the plunger firmly, and call emergency services can help families respond before emergency personnel arrive. Some overdoses may need two doses of naloxone nasal spray 4 mg. Narcan can make a critical difference, but it is only the first step. Opioid addiction often needs treatment, support, and relapse prevention planning. Keeping naloxone accessible at home can help protect loved ones and create a path to recovery.
At New Hope Healthcare, as an in-network provider we work with most insurance plans, such as:
If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health challenges or substance abuse, seeking treatment and emotional support is crucial. Consulting a doctor can provide the necessary support and guidance for your teen. Reach out to New Hope Healthcare today. Our team of compassionate professionals is here to support your journey towards lasting well-being. Effective medication management is a crucial part of the treatment process to ensure safety and success. Give us a call at 866-799-0806.
Visit SAMHSA for more information.
Narcan is used to reverse a suspected opioid overdose. It can help restore breathing until emergency medical help arrives.
Narcan is generally safe if given during a suspected overdose. Families should still call 911 right away because symptoms can return.
Families can get Narcan through many pharmacies, health departments, harm reduction programs, and community overdose prevention resources.
Give Narcan if a person is very hard to wake, breathing slowly, has blue lips, or may have used opioids.
Yes, Narcan can reverse fentanyl overdose, but fentanyl may require more than one dose. Call 911 after the first dose.
Call 911, stay with the person, place them on their side, and give another dose if breathing does not improve.
](https://www.cdc.gov/stop-overdose/caring/naloxone.html)
](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-over-counter-naloxone-nasal-spray)
](https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/substance-abuse-services/prevention/naloxone-training-information.html)
](https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/substance-abuse-services/prevention/rops.html)
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