What should be included in a safety planning conversation when overdose risk is present?

• A. Protective factors and a general wellness plan.
• B. Establish emergency contacts but not discuss naloxone.
• C. Protective factors, create a harm-reduction or abstinence-focused plan, ensure access to naloxone, and establish emergency contacts and steps to take if overdose risk escalates.
• D. Delay planning.

Answer: (C)

When overdose risk is present, the safety planning conversation should be practical and comprehensive, focusing on immediate risk reduction and sustained support. Start by identifying protective factors that bolster resilience and stability, helping the person stay engaged in recovery or safer in their current situation. Then align the plan with the person’s goals by including either harm-reduction strategies or an abstinence-focused approach, so the plan is realistic and person-centered. A critical element is ensuring access to naloxone and discussing how to obtain, store, and use it in an emergency, because having naloxone on hand can save a life. Finally, establish emergency contacts and concrete steps to take if overdose risk escalates—who to reach, when to call for help, and where to seek urgent assistance. This combination addresses both immediate safety and long-term support, creating a actionable, life-preserving plan.