Brighton and Hove Recovery Service

Overdose awareness

Synthetic opioids increase the risk of overdose. They have been found throughout the UK drug supply, including in Brighton and Hove. Synthetic opioids are not just appearing in heroin, but also in non-opiate drugs such as benzodiazepines (Valium and what gets sold as Xanax), ‘Spice,’ MDMA, cocaine, ketamine and illicit vapes.

If you use any of these substances, you are potentially at risk of an overdose.

Signs of an overdose can include:

  • Lethargy and slurred speech
  • Drowsiness and disorientation
  • Pale face and clammy skin
  • Blue lips and fingernails
  • Pinpoint pupils (not in everyone)
  • Person is unresponsive to noise or touch
  • Breathing is slow and shallow
  • Choking sounds, or a snore-like gurgling noise

Find out more about the signs of an overdose.

What to do if someone overdoses:

  • Put them in the recovery position
  • Give the person naloxone
  • Call 999

To reduce your risk of overdose:

  • Start low and go slow
  • Don’t use alone

  • If using with others - it's best if one person uses the drug first, and uses less as a test dose. 

  • Don't mix drugs. Mixing opiates with other depressants such as alcohol, benzos or methadone is particularly risky.

  • Look out for the signs of an overdose  

  • Test your drugs

  • Carry naloxone

  • Access treatment and support from us at Brighton and Hove Recovery Service

Find out more about staying safe.

naloxone kit (opioid overdose reversal drug) with syringe, needles and yellow packet

What is naloxone?

Naloxone is life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opiates and opioids. All pharmacies in Brighton and Hove offer naloxone for free - just ask at the counter.

We also have stocks available at the Recovery Service in Richmond House.

Naloxone Training

If you work in the city and want to know how to use naloxone and how to spot an overdose, we offer a monthly training session which covers these topics.

A red background with gold and white circle. The words Cocaine doesn't mix with alcohol is in the middle

Cocaine and alcohol do not mix

Mixing cocaine and alcohol creates a third toxic substance in the body: cocaethylene. 

Mixing them increases the risk of:

  • Sudden overdose
  • Damage to the heart and stomach
  • A much worse comedown
Learn more about the effects of cocaine
A green background with a rope circle around a horseshoe and a K in the middle. The words Don't mix ketamine with alcohol are under the horse shoe

Ketamine and alcohol do not mix

Taking alcohol and ketamine is the number one reason for welfare cases at festivals.

Mixing them increases the risk of:

  • Vomiting
  • A K-hole
  • Bladder damage
  • Accidents and injury
Learn more about the effects of ketamine
Pink and white squiggly background with the words MDMA don't mix with alcohol in a solid pink circle

MDMA and alcohol do not mix

Mixing MDMA and alcohol may mean you end up taking more than you mean to.

 

Mixing them increases the risk of:

  • Dehydration and overheating
  • Serotonin syndrome (MDMA overdose)
  • A much worse comedown
Learn more about the effects of MDMA
A sky blue background with a white circle in the middle. The words Benzos don't mix is inside the circle and Xanax, Tombstones, Tranqs, Valuim, Z Bars, Handlebars are around the edge

Benzos and alcohol do not mix

Mixing benzodiazepines and alcohol can be deadly.

Mixing them increases the risk of:

  • Blackouts and memory loss
  • Respiratory failure and death

Learn more about benzodiazepines
A yellow background with a black over in the centre. The words Alcohol and over the counter medications don't mix in the middle

Over-the-counter medication and alcohol do not mix

Mixing over-the-counter medication with alcohol increases the risk of numerous negative physical effects:

  • Kidney failure
  • Liver failure
  • Overdose