Healing After Crisis: The Importance of Follow-Up Care for Overdose Survivors

According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 100,000 individuals died from a drug overdose in 2022. For many of the individuals who suffered from a fatal overdose, it was not their first time overdosing.

It is estimated by the Minnesota Department of Health that roughly 1 out of every 20 individuals who receive medical treatment for an overdose and are discharged die within one year of leaving the hospital, with two-thirds of the deaths being directly related to an opioid overdose.

This represents a harrowing trend in the United States that is getting worse with each passing year. As such, post overdose treatment and future prevention must be centered in your recovery plan. Treatment of nonfatal overdose does not end when you get home from the hospital.

Follow-up care for nonfatal overdose survivors is one of the most important steps in the recovery process. Intentional follow-up and effective aftercare can be the difference between achieving sobriety or relapsing and suffering from an overdose again.

Today’s article will provide a framework on how individuals suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) and their loved ones can create a post-overdose recovery plan to help reduce their risk of a fatal overdose in the future and achieve their goal of sobriety.

Understanding the Needs of Overdose Survivors 

Follow-up care has proven to be an effective treatment option to reduce the risk of an additional overdose. However, it is not as simple of a treatment plan as many other disorders. Each person is different and must be treated as such.

It is important to understand the survivor as an individual and use this knowledge to help them create a recovery plan that works for them and their specific needs. This plan can take many forms depending on the individual but typically involves finding stable and affordable housing, warm handoff interventions, medical treatment, and even cognitive behavioral therapy.

What is a Warm Handoff?

The phrase “warm handoff” refers to a series of interventions used to help those who have survived a nonfatal overdose achieve recovery. These are done by connecting the individual who survived the overdose with the proper resources, services, and people that they need to help live a healthier life and reduce the risk of future overdoses.

These interventions typically come from healthcare professionals, members of law enforcement, and social workers and aim to prevent negative health outcomes for individuals suffering from SUD. While these interventions can take a variety of forms, a few of the most common include:

1. Emergency department-based Naloxone provision: The primary goal of this intervention is to ensure that individuals who have an increased likelihood of needing life-saving overdose-reversal medications such as Naloxone have access to it and understand how to use it properly and safely should the need arise.
2. Post-overdose outreach and follow-up: Relevant professionals visit the nonfatal overdose survivor and their family to follow up on their well-being and continue to work toward building a bridge and deepening the relationship between themselves and the survivor.
3. Emergency department-based screening: Medical professionals screen individuals who have recently suffered from an overdose and suggest the most appropriate follow-up care.

Key Factors to Reducing the Risk of Future Overdose

As is the case with most aspects of recovery, a holistic approach is advised to reduce the risk of a future overdose. There are no perfect “one size fits all” solutions in recovery that work for everybody all of the time.

Instead, there are a set of general guidelines and observations derived from the data available. Keeping these in mind as you create your recovery plan or help a loved one with theirs can help decrease the chances of a fatal second overdose occurring.

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy After Overdose

One of the most effective ways to help reduce overdosing again after surviving a nonfatal overdose is to begin cognitive behavioral therapy after an overdose and continue with it as you recover and work toward sobriety.

This approach centers the nonfatal overdose as an opportunity to treat the underlying substance use disorder and begin effective treatment. Studies suggest that individuals who begin their treatment while still in the hospital are considerably less likely to overdose again in the future.

2. Stable and Reliable Housing

The lack of a stable and reliable housing environment is one of the largest causes of stressors. This is particularly true for at-risk populations and makes them considerably more likely to relapse and engage in other harmful activities that increase the likelihood of a second overdose.

To help reduce this potentially fatal stressor, long-term stable housing should be a primary focus in recovery. With the increased availability and development of sober housing programs, in-patient treatment services, and other affordable housing initiatives in recent years, individuals in recovery have more options than ever in this regard.

4. Social Support in Recovery

Feeling a sense of community and connection is important throughout every stage of recovery. The period immediately following a nonfatal overdose is no different. Having a close and trusted group of people that you can lean on for support and advice can help reduce the feelings of loneliness and helplessness that often come with SUD.

Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) exist in the vast majority of cities and towns across the United States and provide free, dedicated spaces for those in all stages of their recovery journey to come together and share their experiences, troubles, and successes. Additionally, there are many online groups and communities that you can join for additional support.

Always Be Prepared 

While it is important to be mentally positive and confident that you will never relapse or overdose again, it is good practice to carry Narcan (otherwise known as Naloxone), as these medicines are life-saving and can significantly increase the likelihood of survival should an overdose occur. 

Many times, they can be the difference between life and death, providing those suffering from SUD another chance at achieving recovery. For that reason alone, they are worth at least looking into and investigating further.

Both Narcan and Naloxone can prove to be a lifeline for both and your loved ones, and it is generally advised to have access to at least one of them at all times if you or those around you engage in drug usage. If you are not sure where to find them, check out the Naloxone finder to understand more about the medicine and where you can be prescribed it. 

Additionally, these life saving medicines can be purchased over the counter at many retailers across the United States such as Walmart, CVS, and Target. For additional information on where you can purchase Narcan, visit their official website.

Get Started With Your Follow-Up Care With SoberMind Recovery

SoberMind Recovery is a Los Angeles-based recovery center that offers a wide variety of specialized treatment programs, ranging from LGBTQ sober living to dual diagnosis treatment, as well as individual, group, and cognitive behavioral therapy. 

Our mission is to provide individualized, research-based care in a compassionate and high-quality manner. We aim to make a difference in the world of addiction and help people like you achieve long-lasting recovery through a well-balanced recovery plan.

As everyone’s journey is different, we don’t believe in generalized approaches. Give us a call today at 818-835-9268 or 819-398-8047 to see how our treatment programs can help you achieve your recovery goals and live a happier, healthier life.