How Does Narcan Work?

We hear many stories in the media about the opioid crisis, heroin overdose, and the wonder drug, Narcan. However, many wonder what it is and how does Narcan work. Others know this naloxone drug is a welcome miracle for people addicted to opioids. This drug helps save lives from immediate risk of death. For real long-term life-saving help, you need opioid addiction treatment.

How Does Narcan Work?

So how does Narcan work, really? Narcan binds to the opioid receptors in your brain. By doing so, it stops your opioids or any other drug from the opiate family from giving you the high you seek.

Naloxone achieves this by enabling your brain to block the dopamine chemical rush your substances create. In other words, your drugs do not work when naloxone is in your system. If you suffer overdose, someone can administer the lifesaving drug quickly but it only temporarily blocks your opioid or heroin overdose symptoms. You still must immediately get emergency help, or the overdose continues in a short period.

The answer to that question of how does Narcan work provides you with some helpful information. But you need to know more about how this drug works, to fully understand the real problems you face in addiction.

Available Types of Naloxone

Naloxone is available in several forms under several brand names, such as Narcan. These include injectable naloxone for medical professional use, such as by EMTs. Also available is auto-injectable naloxone for use by anyone available to inject the pre-measured dose into your thigh. Finally, nose spray naloxone also helps people survive an acute overdose.

The downside of using naloxone is its quick delivery of opioid withdrawal. You immediately feel symptoms of withdrawal. These include nervousness, anxiety, irritability and mood swings. You also suffer from body aches, dizziness, and physical weakness. Along with these symptoms come diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and a wide variety of other ill feelings.

Real Lifesaving Treatment in Opioid Rehab

Narcan only solves an immediate risk of death for a short period, until doctors can help you overcome your overdose. So do not fool yourself about being safe from death from an opioid addiction. The only chance you have for long-term survival is opioid addiction treatment.

You need some of the following types of programs and services:

• Extended care, inpatient or residential treatment
• Sober living and aftercare programs
• Individual therapies
• Behavioral therapy, including CBT, DBT, and EMDR
• Family therapy and group therapy
• Relapse prevention
• Dual diagnosis treatment

You find these treatments and therapies at Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville, Florida. At Beaches Recovery you obtain the understanding of your addiction and coping skills that you need for long-term sobriety. Without this help, you risk falling back into your addiction. Treatment at Beaches Recovery starts with detox at Tides Edge and follows you through aftercare programs like sober living and transitional living.

Never underestimate your need for a wide array of therapies and programs customized to fit your individual needs. Asking “How does Narcan work?” only gives you emergency help. But Beaches Recovery helps you enjoy the long, healthy and happy life you really want. Call Beaches Recovery now at 866.605.0532 for more information about Jacksonville, Florida treatment options.