How Long Does Naloxone Block Opioids?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nearly 2.5 million people struggle with opioid use disorder. Opioids are highly addictive substances that can potentially lead to life-threatening consequences. Unfortunately, each year people overdose on opioids. Fortunately, medicines like naloxone work to reverse an opioid overdose. In this article, you’ll learn more about how long does naloxone block opioids, and more below!

At Tikvah Lake, we are a leading luxury rehab that helps patients overcome addiction and regain control over their health and quality of life. Drug addiction is not only life-threatening, but it also hurts virtually all aspects of your life for the worse. Our drug rehab offers a comprehensive range of addiction treatment options so you can receive the right care for your unique needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your recovery needs!

What is Naloxone?

Before diving into how long does naloxone block opioids, it’s important to understand what naloxone is. Naloxone is a life-saving medication that is used to reverse opioid overdose. Specially, naloxone works by binding to the same receptors that opioids do in your brain to help reverse the drug’s effect. 

Narcan is a common brand name for naloxone, which again works to reverse the effects of someone overdosing on opioids. While naloxone can be a life-saving medication when it comes to helping opioid addicts who’ve overdosed, it’s critical to realize that opioid addiction is life-threatening and using naloxone doesn’t automatically guarantee someone will recover from an overdose.

This is why it’s critical if you or someone you know is struggling from drug addiction you seek professional help to safely and effectively recover. At a drug rehab, you’ll not only be able to safely detox and overcome your addiction, but you can also learn healthy coping strategies to maintain long-term sobriety. 

How Long Does Naloxone Block Opioids?

Naloxone temporarily works to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose in the body. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, naloxone only works in the body for around 30 to 90 minutes. Therefore, it’s important to understand that an individual can still experience an overdose even after taking naloxone as the medication will wear off within 1-2 hours. Additionally, an individual who’s overdosed on opioids may need multiple doses of naloxone to effectively reverse the effects of an overdose. 

In any event that you suspect someone has overdosed from opioids, the administration of naloxone is not only important to try and reverse the effects of the potential overdose, but it’s also important that the individual seek support from a medical professional. This is because since naloxone only reverses the effects of the drug for 1-2 hours, an individual can potentially still experience overdose symptoms once the naloxone begins to wear off as opioid overdose symptoms can occur longer within the body.

Opioid addiction robs you of your health and quality of life. You should not have to risk your health and potentially life-threatening consequences like overdosing. Although naloxone is a life-saving medication to reverse overdoses, it should not be viewed as a guarantee to save your life if you do overdose on opioids. This is why seeking professional support as soon as possible if you are struggling with drug addiction is critical. Professional addiction treatment will provide the personalized care you need to take back your health and quality of life. 

Help Is Available 

Now you know more about how long does naloxone block opioids. While naloxone is a life-saving drug that can help reverse opioid overdoses, it’s important to understand that naloxone is temporary in that it typically wears off between 30 to 90 minutes post-administration. Depending on the severity of the overdose, some individuals may experience overdose effects again as the naloxone begins to wear off in their body. 
At Tikvah Lake, our experienced team of addiction specialists and mental health professionals are here to help you safely overcome addiction. No longer do you have to suffer alone with your addiction– we are here to help! Our drug rehab offers a wide variety of treatment programs and options so you can receive the personalized care you need to lead a healthier life. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your recovery journey.