What Is Narcan? 9 Myths and Facts Every Texas Family Should Know
TL;DR
Narcan is the brand name for naloxone, a medicine that can reverse an opioid overdose. It does not harm a person who has no opioids in their system.
Anyone can give it. A nasal spray needs no training, and more than one dose is sometimes needed with fentanyl.
Always call 911, even if the person wakes up. Narcan wears off, and the opioid may not.
Narcan does not treat addiction. Medical detox and ongoing care do.
Table of Contents
Myths 1-3: does Narcan encourage drug use, cause harm, or work on any overdose?
Myths 4-6: who can use Narcan, is it hard to give, and is one dose always enough?
Myths 7-9: legal access in Texas, cost, and whether Narcan replaces medical care
After the overdose: treatment and recovery options at Dallas Detox Center
Introduction
If someone you love uses opioids, you have probably wondered what you would do if you found them not breathing. Many families have heard of Narcan but are not sure they are allowed to use it, or whether it would make things worse. So what is Narcan, and why do the myths around it matter so much?
The answer is simple, and the stakes are high. Illegally made fentanyl is now a main driver of the overdose crisis in the United States, and even a small amount can cause a fatal overdose.[1] People often take it without knowing, because it is added to counterfeit pills and other illegal drugs. That means a person who never meant to use fentanyl can still overdose. This article goes through nine common myths one at a time, so you can act with confidence if the moment comes.
What is Narcan and how does it reverse an opioid overdose?
What is Narcan? It is a brand name for naloxone, a medicine that blocks opioids from acting on the brain. SAMHSA lists naloxone as a core tool for opioid overdose prevention and reversal.[2] It comes as a nasal spray or an injection, and the spray is the form most families keep at home.
An opioid overdose slows and can stop a person's breathing. Narcan knocks the opioid off the brain's receptors, which can restore breathing within a few minutes. It works only on opioids, such as heroin, prescription painkillers, and fentanyl. It does nothing for alcohol, cocaine, or methamphetamine on their own.
Myths 1-3: does Narcan encourage drug use, cause harm, or work on any overdose?
Myth 1: Having Narcan around encourages drug use
Fact: Narcan does not make a person want to use more. It gives them a chance to live long enough to get help. Addiction is a medical condition that changes brain activity and keeps people using despite harm.[1] A rescue medicine does not cause that.
Myth 2: Narcan can hurt someone who is not overdosing on opioids
Fact: If the person has no opioids in their body, Narcan has essentially no effect. If you are unsure what someone took, giving it is the safer choice than waiting. In a person who is dependent on opioids, it can trigger sudden withdrawal, which is miserable but not the danger an overdose is.
Myth 3: Narcan works on every kind of overdose
Fact: It reverses opioids only. If someone took opioids with alcohol or a benzodiazepine, Narcan can still help with the opioid part, but they need emergency care for the rest. That is one more reason to call 911.
Myths 4-6: who can use Narcan, is it hard to give, and is one dose always enough?
Myth 4: Only paramedics or nurses can give it
Fact: Parents, spouses, friends, and coworkers can give it. The nasal spray was built for people with no medical background.
Myth 5: It is complicated to give
Fact: You peel back the package, place the nozzle in one nostril, and press the plunger. That is the whole task. There is nothing to measure or mix.
Myth 6: One dose always does the job
Fact: Not always. Fentanyl is more potent than morphine or heroin, and its effects can start quickly.[1] A person may need a second dose after two to three minutes if they are not responding. Keep at least two doses on hand.
Myth | What is true |
|---|---|
Narcan encourages use | It reverses an overdose. It does not cause or increase drug use. |
It harms people without opioids | It has essentially no effect without opioids present. |
Only professionals can use it | Anyone can give the nasal spray. |
One dose is always enough | Fentanyl may require more than one dose. |
Myths 7-9: legal access in Texas, cost, and whether Narcan replaces medical care
Myth 7: You need a prescription in Texas
Fact: Naloxone nasal spray is available over the counter, and Texas also lets pharmacies dispense naloxone under standing orders. You can ask at most pharmacies. Rules and stock can change, so call ahead or ask the pharmacist.
Myth 8: It is too expensive for most families
Fact: Cost varies. Many health departments and community programs hand out naloxone free. SAMHSA points people to local resources through its overdose prevention page.[2] Insurance may also cover it, and our guide on how insurance covers rehab in Dallas explains how to check benefits.
Myth 9: Once Narcan works, the emergency is over
Fact: Narcan can wear off in 30 to 90 minutes, and some opioids last longer. The person can slip back into overdose. Medical care is not optional. Narcan buys time to get it.
How to recognize an overdose and give Narcan step by step
Signs of an opioid overdose include:
The person cannot be woken or does not respond to your voice or a firm rub on the breastbone
Breathing is very slow, gurgling, or has stopped
Lips and fingertips look blue or gray
Pupils are very small
If you see these, act right away:
Call 911 and say the person is not breathing.
Lay the person on their back and tilt the head back.
Put the nozzle in one nostril and press the plunger firmly.
If you know how, give rescue breaths or chest compressions.
If there is no response in two to three minutes, give a second dose in the other nostril.
If the person breathes but stays unconscious, roll them onto their side and stay with them.
[Insert image of the recovery position here]
Texas has a Good Samaritan law that offers some protections for people who seek help during an overdose, but it has limits. Do not let fear of trouble delay a call.
After the overdose: treatment and recovery options at Dallas Detox Center
Narcan saves a life. It does not treat the opioid use disorder underneath. The days after an overdose are often when a person is most open to help, and also when relapse risk is high because tolerance has dropped.
At Dallas Detox Center, medical detox is the first step, with our fentanyl detox and heroin detox programs for opioid dependence. The prescription drug detox program covers painkillers. If drug use and mental health problems are tied together, dual diagnosis care addresses both. Medications for opioid use disorder are part of evidence-based treatment, and ASAM's guidelines call for person-centered plans for addiction and co-occurring conditions.[3]
Detox is where treatment starts, not where it ends. Residential care and aftercare planning help the progress last. If you are not sure whether it is time, read 7 signs it is time to seek drug rehab in Dallas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Narcan and how does it work?
A: Narcan is a brand name for naloxone, a medicine that blocks opioids from acting on the brain and can restore breathing during an overdose.[2] It works only on opioids.
Q: Can I buy Narcan without a prescription in Texas?
A: Yes. Naloxone nasal spray is sold over the counter, and pharmacies can also dispense it under a standing order. Availability and price vary, so call your pharmacy first.
Q: Is it safe to give Narcan to someone who isn't overdosing on opioids?
A: Yes. It has essentially no effect on a person without opioids in their system. If you are unsure what happened, give it and call 911.
Q: Does Narcan work on fentanyl overdoses, and why might more than one dose be needed?
A: It does work on fentanyl. But fentanyl is more potent than morphine or heroin, and even a small amount can be fatal.[1] Some people need a second dose if they do not respond in two to three minutes.
Q: What should I do after giving Narcan to someone who has overdosed?
A: Stay with them until paramedics arrive, even if they wake up. Narcan can wear off before the opioid does. Afterward, talk with them about detox and treatment. The DEA also offers year-round medication disposal locations to help keep unused pills out of the home.[4]
Conclusion
What is Narcan? It is a safe, simple medicine that gives a person a second chance, and anyone in your family can use it. Keep two doses where you can find them, learn the steps, and call 911 every time. If an overdose has already touched your family, or you see one coming, Dallas Detox Center can talk with you about medical detox and next steps. Reach out through our treatment services page and start the conversation today.
References
National Institute on Drug Abuse. Fentanyl. - https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/fentanyl
SAMHSA. Opioid Overdose Prevention and Reversal. - https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/overdose-prevention
American Society of Addiction Medicine. ASAM - American Society of Addiction Medicine. - https://www.asam.org
U.S. Department of Justice, DEA Diversion Control Division. Home. - https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov
