"Discharged shortly after CPR"

I used to use opiates ocasionally. Once these were spiked with fentanyl or a fentalogue, and so I had an unintentional overdose and my heart stopped beating, requiring CPR and several naloxone injections.

This, I believe, was administered in the ambulance before I got to hospital. Of course, I am extremely grateful to the paramedics for saving my life.

I am also grateful for any ongoing medical support and/or monitoring which I received in the next few hours at the PA hospital. I have amnesia from the overdose, and so cannot remember how I was treated at the hospital. However, I know that I was discharged that same day (not against medical advice). This was my first and only overdose.

I think it is very uncaring and irresponsible to discharge someone from hospital just hours after they almost died. Especially if they were also suffering from severe mental illness, as I understand my medical records showed. Luckily, someone had made me an appointment with a doctor who prescribes buprenorphine as Opioid Replacement Therapy. I only knew about it because I found a piece of paper with the appointment date in my pocket. I attended the appointment, and began treatment. Since then I have abstained from using.

Whilst things went well for me, and I was able to get treatment as an outpatient, I still think it was dangerous to discharge me in such a vulnerable state. I think it would have been much safer if I had've been admitted for a few days at least, during which I could've seen a buprenorphine provider and began treatment. Drug use, especially self medication as in my case, is a health issue and I feel should be treated as such.