Although many people may associate opioid overdoses with illicit street drugs like heroin and fentanyl, individuals legitimately taking prescription opioids under the care of a healthcare professional are at risk of prescription opioid overdose.nnWhile doctors prescribe opioids to patients for legitimate reasons, it is not uncommon for an individual to be overprescribed opioids, which can cause them to develop an addiction to the drug, increasing their chances of injury or death due to an opioid overdose.nnIn New Jersey, doctors and other healthcare professionals can be held liable through medical malpractice lawsuits if their negligence resulted in a prescription opioid overdose. The New Jersey medical malpractice attorneys from Richard J. Hollawell and Associates are experts in opioid overdose cases resulting from the failure of healthcare professionals to provide their patients with the proper duty of care.nnBased on their work representing clients who have suffered from opioid overdoses in New Jersey due to medical malpractice, the Richard J. Hollawell and Associates team have compiled a guide to what to do in the case of an overdose on prescription opioids.nnAnyone using opioids, even under the care of a medical professional, can suffer from an opioid overdose. An opioid overdose can kill, and when a victim survives, it is usually because someone on hand recognized the signs of an overdose and knew what action to take.nnIf you suspect that someone is overdosing on prescription opioids, you should call 911 right away.nnRead on for more information about what happens in a prescription opioid overdose and how you should respond.nnRecognizing a Prescription Opioid OverdosennPrescription opioid overdoses occur when an individual ingests toxic levels of a prescription opioid or a combination of prescription opioids and some other drug.nnFor the observer, it may be difficult to recognize whether the person using the prescription opioid is just really high or experiencing an overdose, which can be life-threatening. A good rule of thumb is to assume that an overdose has occurred, as this is the best way to save an individual’s life.nnSome of the common signs of a prescription opioid overdose include the following:nnunconsciousness or unresponsivenessnstopped or slowed breathingngurgling or snoring soundsnclammy or cold skinnlip and fingernail discoloration