Skip to main content
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2021 Sep 1.
Published in final edited form as: Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2020 Sep;34(3):605–620. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2020.06.013

Table 4.

Counseling points for overdose prevention

Mixing drugs Use 1 drug at a time
Minimize use of each drug
Avoid mixing drugs with alcohol
Quality of drug Test a small amount of drug first (“test shot”)
Purchase from same distributor
Be cautious when switching between pills, know what you are using
Overdose plan Do not use alone
Keep door unlocked and/or slightly open
Call a friend to check in
Have naloxone ready
Mode of administration Injecting and smoking increase overdose risk
If using alone or concerns for decreased tolerance, snort if possible

From National Harm Reduction Coalition. Overdose Prevention Tips. Available at: https://harmreduction.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/HRC_ODprevention_worksheet9.pdf. Accessed March 2 2020; with permission106.