One life lost to addiction is one too many. Right now, there could be people in your life who are struggling with opioids. But there are things we can all do to make sure those at risk of an opioid poisoning are safer.
Help is available through Alberta Health Services (AHS). If you are in crisis, please connect with a healthcare professional or call 911 if it’s an emergency. Many other supports are available.
AHS Addiction and Mental Health Services
Edmonton Zone
- AHS Addiction and Mental Health Community Clinics are available to serve children, families and individuals in Edmonton and surrounding communities. If you need to speak to someone outside of the community clinic hours, please call Access 24/7 at 780-424-2424, the Mental Health Helpline at 1-877-303-2642 or the Addiction Helpline at 1-866-332-2322. Trained staff are available to offer support at those numbers 24/7.
Calgary Zone
- AHS Addiction and Mental Health Services are available to serve children, families and individuals in Calgary and surrounding communities. If you need to speak to someone, please call Access Mental Health at 403-943-1500 during regular business hours. After hours or if you are in need of urgent support, please call the Mental Health Helpline at 1-877-303-2642 or the Addiction Helpline at 1-866-332-2322. Trained staff are available to offer support at those numbers 24/7.
Alberta-Wide
- If you are in need of urgent support, please call the Mental Health Helpline at 1-877-303-2642 or the Addiction Helpline at 1-866-332-2322. Trained staff are available to offer support at those numbers 24/7.
- An extensive list of support services and resources is available on the Help in Tough Times webpage at www.ahs.ca/helpintoughtimes. This includes Text4Hope, which offers free daily text messaging that helps people identify and adjust negative thoughts, feelings and behaviours. To subscribe, text HOPEAB to 393939.
Other Resources and Treatment
- Opioid Agonist Treatment Clinics in Alberta: Provides treatment to people dependent on opioids and helps them access services they need to live healthy lives. Individuals can self-refer, or referrals can come from any healthcare professional or a community agency. Services are voluntary and confidential. For more information on how to access care, individuals can walk in or call any AHS opioid dependency program clinic.
- Virtual Opioid Dependency Program (VODP): Available anywhere in Alberta, VODP provides same-day access to addiction medicine specialists. There is no wait list. To access, call 1-844-383-7688, seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
- Harm reduction: Low-barrier, low-cost access to programs that accept and support people who use substances or are impacted by substance use.
- The Digital Overdose Response System (DORS): A free, discreet mobile app that can help prevent overdose deaths among people using opioids and other substances while alone. The DORS app can be downloaded from any smart phone’s app store, or through the links available on DORSApp.ca.
- Get a naloxone kit: Naloxone is a drug that temporarily reverses effects of an opioid poisoning.
Helplines
Friends and Family
- People in need of support are encouraged to reach out to someone they trust. Talk to a family member, friend, or someone you can be honest with to talk through your concerns.
- If you notice people in your life who may be struggling, reach out to them. Offering support can include mentioning what you have noticed, listening to their concerns, and connecting them with some of the resources noted above. Starting a conversation does not require you to be a counsellor or an expert; just a caring person offering support and hope.
Conversations Around Substance Use
If someone you know is struggling with opioid or substance use and may not be ready to access treatment, conversations around safer use might be helpful.
- Don’t use while alone so someone is there in case there is an emergency. If using alone is unavoidable, arrange to have someone check in at a prearranged time or download the DORS app in advance of using.
- When using with others, stagger use to ensure someone is always alert and able to call 911 and administer naloxone, if required.
- If available, use the services of a supervised consumption or overdose prevention site.
- Test the dose by using a smaller amount to determine the strength of the substance to reduce the risk of overdose. Test dosing is especially important when using a new batch. Doses can be repeated until the desired effect is achieved.
- Avoid mixing drugs to reduce the risk of overdose harmful interactions that can occur by mixing substances such as mixing opioids with depressants such as alcohol.
- Be aware of health and tolerance. Knowing how health affects tolerance is important. If possible, stay hydrated, eat regularly and get enough sleep. Acute or chronic health conditions might reduce tolerance. Periods of not using can reduce tolerance in as little as 24 hours, particularly with opioids. When returning to use, use a test dose.
- Carefully select the route of consumption and its risk of poisoning. Injection and inhalation/smoking present the greatest risk of poisoning. Oral, nasal and rectal consumption might reduce the risk of poisoning.
- Know the signs and symptoms of an opioid poisoning and call 911.
- Carry a naloxone kit and know how to use it to respond to a suspected opioid poisoning.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait-times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.
