Meth Harm Reduction: Overdose, Fentanyl and Staying Alive

Not everyone who uses methamphetamine is ready to stop, and information that is only useful to people who have already quit is not much use to anyone else. This section is about staying alive and reducing damage — whatever stage someone is at.

In an emergency

• Meth overdose: signs and what to do — there is no antidote; overheating is what kills; what a bystander can actually do
• Fentanyl in meth: test strips and naloxone — why no opioid tolerance is the danger, and why to carry naloxone regardless
• Suspected meth lab fire or explosion

Reducing risk

• Never use alone — nobody can call for help for an unconscious person who is by themselves
• Carry naloxone — free in most states, harmless if opioids are not involved
• Use fentanyl test strips — imperfect, but they detect the contaminant most likely to kill
• Stay cool and hydrated — overheating is the main stimulant danger, and heat, crowds and exertion all compound it
• Do not share equipment — hepatitis C and HIV spread this way
• Do not mix with opioids, alcohol or sedatives

Identifying substances

You cannot. That is the short version, and it matters because believing otherwise creates false confidence.

• Why look, smell and taste cannot identify a substance
• Why melting point cannot tell you what you have

Accidental exposure

• If a pet may have been exposed
• Poison Control — 1-800-222-1222 for suspected exposure in children or adults

When someone is ready

Harm reduction and treatment are not opposites — keeping someone alive is what makes treatment possible later. When the moment comes, what treatment actually involves is the next step.