Destigmatizing Naloxone: Associations of Perceived Availability on Opioid Use Patterns

Naloxone, most commonly known as Narcan, is a potent opioid antagonist that can readily rescue individuals with overdose by displacing the offending agonist from complementary receptors in brainstem. As such, it has saved thousands of lives and increasingly used first responders hospital emergency departments to revive suspected poisoning.1Rando J. Broering D. Olson J.E. et al.Intranasal naloxone administration police associated decreased deaths.Am J Emerg Med. 2015; 33: 1201-1204Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (58) Google Scholar However, its uptake primary intervention crisis not without criticism. The serious concern among critics users will perceive available reverse an accidental overdose, therefore push limits their dosage or frequency use.2Bessen S. Metcalf S.A. Saunders E.C. al.Barriers use acceptance users, responders, department providers New Hampshire, USA.Int Drug Policy. 2019; 74: 144-151Crossref (16) Scholar,3Bazazi A.R. Zaller N.D. Fu J.J. al.Preventing opiate deaths: examining objections take-home naloxone.J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2010; 21: 1108-1113PubMed This assertion, however, largely based on anecdotal data, systematic data lacking, deficit we aimed address. Data were collected July August 2019 self-administered, online survey sent subset treatment-seeking sampled larger, more extensive national surveillance system collects new entrants 1 100 treatment centers for disorder across United States.4Dart R.C. Surratt H.L. Cicero T.J. al.Trends analgesic abuse mortality States.N Engl 372: 241-248Crossref (716) Of 781 who previously sought survey, 296 respondents 46 states answered questions about before entering related naloxone, listed “naloxone (Narcan)” account familiarity either one these terms. shown Table, 75.0% indicated no change likelihood using opioids if they believed knew would be them overdose. Similarly, 88.5% did behaviors (ie, often greater quantities) when overdosed. A total 63.5% slightly completely confident responder have overdosed, only 32.4% having any confidence someone how naloxone.TablePerceptions influences patterns.QuestionNo. (%)Response OptionWhen you last opioids, that, (eg, officer, EMT, firefighter) (Narcan) you?30 (10.1)Completely confident48 (16.2)Fairly confident44 (14.9)Somewhat confident66 (22.3)Slightly confident108 (36.5)Not at allWhen you?21 (7.1)Completely confident14 (4.7)Fairly confident26 (8.8)Somewhat confident35 (11.8)Slightly confident200 (67.6)Not allWere less likely overdosed?19 (6.4)A lot likely17 (5.7)Somewhat likely222 (75.0)No likely13 (4.4)Somewhat likely25 (8.4)A likelyDid quantities overdosed?5 (1.7)Yes, I always me.10 (3.4)Yes, sometimes me.261 (88.5)I my belief knowledge used.19 (6.4)No, fewer me.EMT, Emergency medical technician. Open table tab These suggest even long-term believe know patterns do result. runs counter stigmatizing claims harm-reduction strategy encourages increases reckless opioids. Thus, public health measure, magnitude naloxone’s lifesaving potential appears outweigh consumption may occur perception reality. education training community members should focus reducing negative perceptions both substance general. Destigmatization addiction particularly relevant light lethality increasing number fentanyl analogues renewed overdoses States experienced recent months.5Ahmad F.B. Rossen L.M. Sutton P. Provisional drug death counts. National Center Statistics.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htmDate accessed: 21, 2020Google