Does Narcan Work on Alcohol?

The Realities of Naloxone for Alcohol Intoxication

Alcohol poisoning, or an alcohol overdose, is a life-threatening emergency that demands immediate medical treatment. Many hear about how receiving Narcan can often reverse opioid overdoses and wonder: Does Narcan work on alcohol or other substances?

At Changes Healing Center, we have helped hundreds of people stop drinking alcohol with an effective treatment plan. Our medical professionals have the experience to help overcome the grips of alcoholism or drug addiction.

We invite you to read on to learn about how it does not help to receive Narcan for too much alcohol consumption and when you should use it.

Understanding How Narcan (Naloxone Hydrochloride) Works for an Opioid Overdose

Narcan, which also goes by the generic drug Naloxone, is a medication specifically designed to counteract the life-threatening effects of opioid overdoses. It’s an FDA-approved medication recently made available as an over-the-counter product.

It works quickly by binding to opioid receptors in the brain. There, it reverses the effects of opioid drugs such as heroin, morphine, and prescription painkillers. When given quickly, Narcan can quickly restore normal body breathing in a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped altogether because of an opioid overdose.

How does that work?

Narcan acts as an opioid antagonist. When the nasal spray or injection is administered, it competes with opioids to occupy the same receptors of the brain. It displaces the effects of the opioids, thereby reversing their effects and preventing any more respiratory distress. This action is crucial in emergency overdose situations, and it may take multiple doses. According to EMS data, Narcan’s effectiveness has made a great difference in helping to minimize opiate overdose deaths.

Can Narcan Be Used to Treat Alcohol Overdose?

Here’s the million-dollar question: Can Narcan be used to treat alcohol overdoses?

While Narcan is highly effective in reversing opioid overdoses, it is not effective in treating alcohol overdose. This is due to the basic differences between alcohol and opioids in how they affect the body and brain.

Alcohol and opioids interact with the brain in different ways. As described earlier, Opioids work by binding to specific receptors in the brain and central nervous system, which Narcan can effectively block.

On the other hand, alcohol doesn’t bind to those same opioid receptors. Instead, it primarily affects the brain’s gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors and the glutamate system. Since Narcan does not interact with these pathways in any way, it (unfortunately) cannot reverse the effects of alcohol overdose.

Narcan is not suitable for treating alcohol overdose. Its usage is specific to opioid overdose and cannot be used for alcohol intoxication.

Knowing the Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning

An alcohol overdose, also known as alcohol poisoning, occurs when a person consumes a large amount of alcohol in a short period. This can overwhelm the body’s ability to process and eliminate the alcohol, leading to potentially fatal consequences. Here are the most common side effects of consuming alcohol to this extreme degree:

• Physical Symptoms: Vomiting, seizures, slow or irregular breathing, hypothermia/low body temperature, and a pale or blue skin tone. They may also make choking sounds.
• Mental Symptoms: Confusion, stupor, unconsciousness, and an inability to be revived.

If left untreated, alcohol overdose can lead to severe complications. These can include irreversible brain damage, liver damage, and even death. Immediate medical intervention is a must.

An Effective Treatment Plan for Alcohol Overdose

If you think that someone is having an alcohol overdose, it is imperative to seek immediate medical help. Here are the steps to take when you find them and the treatments typically administered once they arrive at your local hospital’s emergency treatment center.

Take these immediate steps if a person drinks until they pass out:

1. Call Emergency Services: Dial 911 or your local emergency medical care number.
2. First Aid Measures: Keep the person awake and sitting up if possible. If they are unconscious, lay them on their side in the recovery position to prevent them from choking on their own vomit. Do not leave them alone.

Here are the medical treatments the person will likely receive when in an ambulance or other clinical settings:

• Intravenous Fluids: To prevent dehydration and maintain blood pressure.
• Oxygen Therapy: To ensure adequate oxygen levels in the blood.
• Medications: Doctors may prescribe anti-nausea medication or other medications to help stop vomiting and thus reduce dehydration.
• Monitoring and Support: Continuous monitoring of vital signs and care until their body metabolizes the alcohol.
• Referral to Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder: Many hospitals have social workers or volunteers who will help connect people to resources or other treatments for alcohol dependence.

Alcohol abuse hurts not only the person struggling but also family members and friends. An overdose is often an excellent time to talk to your loved one about treatment for their alcohol abuse.

Prevention and Harm Reduction Strategies for Alcohol Addiction

Preventing alcohol overdose involves understanding safe drinking practices and recognizing early signs of intoxication. Here are some tips and harm-reduction strategies:

• Know Your Limits: Understand how much alcohol your body can handle.
• Pace Yourself: Drink slowly and avoid binge drinking.
• Stay Hydrated: Drink water between alcoholic beverages.
• Eat Before Drinking: Food slows down alcohol absorption.
• Support Systems: Utilize friends, family, and community resources for support, especially to avoid drinking and driving.
• Educational Programs: Participate in programs that educate people about the risks of excessive drinking.

Find Support for Sobriety at Changes Healing Center

Whether you found this page because you are seeking resources for opioid addiction or alcoholism treatment, our inpatient rehab and outpatient treatment options can help you recover.

Professional Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder and Opioid Addiction

We treat alcohol abuse and addiction by taking a holistic, custom-fit approach to treat substance abuse at Changes Healing Center. While alcohol addiction and opioid abuse are two distinct disorders, both have very pleasurable effects and are often handled similarly at the beginning of our inpatient and outpatient programs.

Medical Detox to Rid the Body of Alcohol, Heroin, or Other Addiction

Detox is the first major hurdle most must clear when they start a recovery program. This time is critical, as the body metabolizes and clears alcohol from the body. It can be a dangerous time, especially when coming down from alcohol or opioid drugs.

The symptoms of withdrawal can be uncomfortable. However, medical detox means that clients will receive prescription medications to keep them safe and comfortable during this period.

Medication Assisted Treatment: Taking Naltrexone to Replace Drug Abuse

Naltrexone is a prescription medication to treat alcoholism and opioid dependence. It prevents opioids from producing their effects. It will also reduce cravings and the pleasurable sensations of alcohol.

Those misusing opioids may receive methadone instead of naltrexone, but this almost always involves oversight at a methadone clinic.

How Does Naltrexone Work?

Naltrexone is used for alcohol addiction because it supports abstinence by reducing the rewarding effects of alcohol consumption.

When used to treat opioid abuse, Naltrexone starts after opioid detoxification to maintain sobriety and prevent relapse by blocking the effects of any opioids taken.

Individual and Group Counseling for Long-term Success

Clients work with our counselors, who have specialty training in alcohol and drug addictions, to dig deep inside to reach the root of their addiction. That might be a dual diagnosis or a childhood trauma they must confront.

Under their guidance, clients discover the reasons why they drink alcohol or abuse illicit substances to understand how they can stop.

Contact Changes Healing Center for Alcohol Treatment Options

If you or someone you care about is struggling, drinking more alcohol with each passing day, they may have alcohol use disorder – alcoholism. The team at Changes Healing Center will review their behaviors and other factors to formulate a customized care plan to help facilitate the healing.

Please call us with any questions about methods used for alcohol treatment – it’s always 100% confidential to speak with a counselor.