Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Call emergency services immediately if someone:
Is unresponsive or cannot be woken
Has slow, irregular, or stopped breathing
Has blue, grey, or unusually pale lips or skin
Has a seizure, severe chest pain, or signs of a stroke
Is extremely confused, hallucinating, dangerously agitated, or very hot
Has taken a possible overdose
Has immediate plans to harm themselves or someone else
Call emergency services even if the person wakes up, because naloxone can wear off before the opioid does.
Stay with the person and follow the emergency operator’s instructions.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Seek urgent medical advice if you may be developing withdrawal, especially after regular alcohol or sedative use.
Prompt assessment is also important if you are pregnant, cannot keep fluids down, have an injection-site infection, or are experiencing rapidly worsening mental health symptoms.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange a routine appointment if you are worried about your use, have repeated cravings, cannot cut down as planned, or notice effects on health, relationships, work, or finances.
You can ask for help even if you are unsure whether you want to stop.
The article also says
For a suspected opioid overdose, give naloxone if it is available and you know how to use it.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Substance use disorder. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.