Why Those With Addiction Don't "Just Change" - Opioid Crisis Reality for EMS

Why Those With Addiction Don't "Just Change" - Opioid Crisis Reality for EMS

Author: Ross Orpet, Paramedic turned EMS Physician October 27, 2025 Duration: 59:59
Death is the Bottom: Why EMS Must Rethink Opioid Use Disorder Treatment   "Nobody told me that the bottom had a basement and the basement had a trap door." This powerful quote from a grieving mother reveals the tragic reality: for patients with opioid use disorder, rock bottom isn't recovery—it's death.   Dr. Jason Hoppe, a medical toxicologist from the University of Colorado, joins us to challenge how EMS providers think about opioid overdoses. The one-year mortality rate after an overdose requiring Narcan? A staggering 6-7%—worse than the one-year mortality after a STEMI. Yet we invest far less in these patients than cardiac emergencies.   This episode covers the evidence-based treatments that actually work (methadone and buprenorphine have incredibly low numbers-needed-to-treat to save a life), how EMS can initiate life-saving treatment in the field, and why "tough love" and waiting for patients to "hit rock bottom" is a dangerous myth. Learn how just an extra 6-minutes on scene could save lives, why patients on buprenorphine need MORE pain medication during trauma, and how breaking the stigma starts with you.   Ready to make a real difference? Discover how EMS providers are uniquely positioned to interrupt the deadly cycle of opioid use disorder.   Want to build unshakeable confidence on scene? We have developed a program to help paramedics go from self-doubt and imposter syndrome to calm competent providers others look to in crisis. If you want to learn more about our Paramedic Confidence Builder course reach out via email at ross@emspodcast.com or through our contact page at emspodcast.com or via DM on IG @emsloudandclear    Want to stay ahead of the top 1% in EMS and build real confidence in the field?👉 Book a call to get personalized guidance, improve decision-making under pressure, and grow your skills as a paramedic: https://calendly.com/d/cq38-87r-fkk/paramedic-confidence-builder📰 Join our weekly newsletter for exclusive EMS insights, leadership strategies, real-life scenarios, and tools designed to help you stay sharp, confident, and ahead of the curve: https://loudandclear.kit.com/d45b012fae   Guest/Cast/Crew information- Guest- Jason Hoppe, D.O.   Hosts - Ross Orpet, Will Berry    Catch up with us after the show Instagram- @emsloudandclear YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@EMSLoudandClear Website- www.emspodcast.com

Stepping out of the classroom and into the rig is where the real learning begins, but that transition often leaves even seasoned providers with a lingering doubt. Loud & Clear: EMS Guiding Principles addresses that gap directly, moving past the basic protocols to explore the foundational reasoning that makes for excellent prehospital care. Hosted by Ross Orpet, a paramedic who now practices as an EMS physician, this podcast digs into the "why" behind the algorithms. It’s built on the understanding that no textbook can possibly cover every unique scenario you’ll encounter on the road. Instead of just listing steps, each episode examines the core principles that guide critical decisions when the situation doesn't fit a neat checklist. You’ll hear discussions that bridge the gap between field experience and medical rationale, focusing on the adaptive thinking required for complex emergencies. This is advanced continuing education designed for paramedics, EMTs, and all prehospital providers who feel that standard training was just the beginning. The conversations in this series aim to solidify your clinical judgment, helping you build confidence through comprehension. By tuning in, you gain access to a deeper level of professional development, where the objective is to think clearer and act more decisively, no matter how many days you have on the job. This podcast serves as a vital resource for those committed to mastering their craft beyond the basics.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Loud & Clear: EMS Guiding Principles - Advanced Continuing Education for Paramedics, EMTs & Prehospital Care Providers
Podcast Episodes
Don't Miss Something Important, Your Physical Exam Matters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:19
Will Berry's back on the show to chat with us about a commonly overlooked part of our care. He can't stress enough how important a good detailed physical exam can be. Are you dedicating enough attention to your physical…
Snake Bites [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:06
Summer's not over yet which means the snakes they are a still slithering. Come learn everything you need to know about treating North American snake bites in the field and dispel some myths along the way. Enter to Win a…
The Physiologically Difficulty Airway - Part 2: Hypotension [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:26
Join us for part two of our four part series looking at the physiologically difficult airway. Matt takes us through the different causes of hypotension, why these patients are so dangerous to intubate, and how to resusci…
Narrow Pulse Pressure as a Predictor of ED Thoracotomy in Trauma? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:01
We discuss the following paper and its impact on our prehospital management. Prehospital narrow pulse pressure predicts need for resuscitative thoracotomy and emergent intervention after trauma Schellenberg M, Owattanapa…
The Physiologically Difficult Airway - Part 1: Hypoxia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:44
Ross and Matt discuss the importance of preoxygenating hypoxic patients prior to intubating them. This is the first of a 4 part series on the physiologically difficult airways. Link to the makeshift CPAP: https://www.you…

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