In both a dire indicator of the scope of addiction and a silver lining if there’s one to be had, more overdose patients are being revived.

In a growing number of cases, it’s thanks to the increasing use of naloxone — often referred to by the brand name Narcan — to reverse the effects of opioids.

“It’s not a cure, but it can be a second chance,” said Jim May, who oversees substance abuse programs at the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority. “The general consensus here is more people have access to it, more people have been trained, and it’s having an impact.”

For front-line responders, Narcan is a tool of war. More than 9,000 doses have flowed to local health departments from the state so far this year.

The number of nonfatal overdoses is up more than 25 percent in the Richmond region compared with last year, according to local law enforcement agencies that track them. Deaths in the region are on a similar pace.

People are nodding out in front of their meatloaf and mashed potatoes at home, slumping over in bathrooms and bars. They’re dying in parking lots and alleys, alone or in front of their children.

Seven times this year, Richmond paramedics have had to use Narcan on a driver after responding to a car crash.