---
title: Virtual Hope - a community of families, loved ones and professionals
description: community families loved ones professionals inviting individual journey of understanding healing loss trauma celebrate successes milestones of recovery
---

[![VHLogoTransLARGE](https://virtualhope.org/hs-fs/hubfs/VHLogoTransLARGE.png?width=300&height=64&name=VHLogoTransLARGE.png "VHLogoTransLARGE")](https://virtualhope.org?hsLang=en)

- [Who we are](https://virtualhope.org/who-we-are)
- [Services](https://virtualhope.org/services)
- [Community Speaks](https://virtualhope.org/community-speaks)
- [Blog](https://virtualhope.org/blog)
- [Additional Services](https://virtualhope.org/additional-services)
- [Contact](https://virtualhope.org/contact)

- [Who we are](https://virtualhope.org/who-we-are)
- [Services](https://virtualhope.org/services)
- [Community Speaks](https://virtualhope.org/community-speaks)
- [Blog](https://virtualhope.org/blog)
- [Additional Services](https://virtualhope.org/additional-services)
- [Contact](https://virtualhope.org/contact)

[BECOME A MEMBER](https://virtualhope.org/become-a-member?hsLang=en)

# Education

 Your browser does not support the video tag.

---

![Education](https://virtualhope.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Education.jpg?width=300&height=421&name=Education.jpg "Education")

- **Educate yourself** on substance abuse use disorder and the terms most associated with the disease 
    - Drug overdose is the result of taking too much of a substance, whether it is prescribed, over the counter, legal, or illegal 
          - Overdose can be accidental or intentional
          - Harmful effect on your body’s ability to function

---

- **Ways to avoid an overdose** 
    - Take medications as prescribed by your practitioner
    - Do not take more medication or take it more often than instructed
    - Never mix pain medicines with alcohol, sleeping pills, or illicit substances
    - Never take anyone else’s medication
    - Prevent children and pets from accidental ingestion by storing your medication out of reach
    - Dispose of unused medication safely
- **Ways to recognize an overdose** (call 911 immediately if a person exhibits ANY of the following signs 
    - Their face is extremely pale and/or feels clammy to the touch
    - Their body goes limp
    - Their fingernails or lips have a purple or blue color
    - They start vomiting or making gurgling noises
    - They cannot be awakened or are unable to speak
    - Their breathing or heartbeat slows or stops
- **Ways to treat an overdose** 
    - **CALL 911**
    - If a person has stopped breathing or if breathing is very weak begin CPR
    - If available administer naloxone

[Become a Member](https://virtualhope.org/become-a-member?hsLang=en)

Anyone in immediate overdose crisis SHOULD CALL 911 for emergency medical attention

[![VHLogoTransLARGE](https://virtualhope.org/hs-fs/hubfs/VHLogoTransLARGE.png?width=250&height=53&name=VHLogoTransLARGE.png "VHLogoTransLARGE")](https://www.virtualhope.org?hsLang=en)

**Address**  
Virtual Hope  
5036 Dr. Phillips Blvd. #1051  
Orlando, FL 32819

**Follow**

[Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089091165086) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/virtual_hope_/) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-russo-bailey-574631284/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.youtube.com/@virtualhopecorp/featured)

**Services**

[Life Coaching](https://virtualhope.org/services?hsLang=en)  
Speaking  
[Resources](https://virtualhope.org/contact?hsLang=en)  
[Contact Us](https://virtualhope.org/contact?hsLang=en)

**Sign Up**  
for our  
Newsletter  
to stay  
informed on  
relevant and  
important topics  
covering addiction