Substance Use Disorders
This section provides EMS professionals with resources and training focused on identifying, managing and responding to patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). Articles cover recognition of drug and alcohol use in the field, treatment best practices, harm reduction strategies, and the evolving role of EMS in the opioid crisis. Learn how to address provider safety, compassion fatigue and stigma, while improving patient outcomes through evidence-based care and community partnerships.
Limit your exposure and clean the ambulance and your clothing before heading home after shift to avoid contaminating your home and loved ones
Steve Whitehead and Dr. David Tan discuss the EMS response to a patient who is allegedly drunk and has been seen by providers many times in the past
Common agents used in drug-facilitated sexual assault: How to recognize them and how they impact care
25.1% of the drivers tested positive for THC, and nearly 20% had blood-alcohol levels beyond legal limits
With sufficient sign-ons from states, local governments would also be able to sign on to get shares
First responders, clinicians, and policymakers now have access to useful, real-time data, said Dr. Rahul Gupta, Office of National Drug Control Policy director
The FDA says Kloxxado Nasal Spray may lead to opioid withdrawal symptoms in those who are dependent and for laypeople to call 911 when they use it
Long-time paramedic hopes to educate her community on overdoses after son’s struggle
Paramedics administered naloxone to the infant, who had been crawling on grass and putting leaves in his mouth
LAFD transported seven of them to pediatric medical centers
One of the key risk factors for alcohol abuse is post-traumatic stress, something many first responders struggle with
The text option for 988 and the chat feature on 988lifeline.org remained functional as work was done to restore the phone service
Because a tiny amount of fentanyl can lead to a fatal overdose, officials have warned users about fake prescription drugs, saying “one pill can kill”
Scott Martin, an Air Force veteran who worked at the Buffalo Fire Department for 12 years, said he uses cannabis to treat PTSD and pain
Provisional CDC data shows a downward trend from last year’s record-high tally of more than 107,000 American losses
The company does not admit liability and said it “strongly disputes” allegations that its pharmacies improperly filled prescriptions for the painkillers
The rate of deaths directly attributed to alcohol rose nearly 30% in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and had been increasing in the prior two decades
The deals call for most of the funds to be used to fight the drug crisis, but neither company admitted wrongdoing
Madison County providers reportedly had to shake the woman, who was unresponsive at the wheel of her vehicle, causing her to hit the gas pedal
Sandwich (MA) Fire Chief John Burke reflects on how properly disposing medical waste has helped safeguard his community against COVID-19, the opioid epidemic and in-house medical care
The medication can help patients resist cravings and may keep them using an illicit drug laced with fentanyl
Douglas Randell was placed on leave without pay pending a fire safety board hearing
Members can access crisis assistance plus resources for a variety of issues such as stress, family conflict, financial or legal concerns, addiction, grief and more
According to a police report, Mark Denton told EMS providers that he cut his toes with a lawnmower, but he later admitted that happened in 1971
Paramedics and Street Overdose Response Team members restocked the bystander’s naloxone supply and offered treatment services to the survivors
A Suboxone dose on scene would be followed up by telehealth visits from providers
Campus nurses will receive training on administering the opioid overdose treatment
“This is black, necrotic tissue destruction,” said UCLA researcher Joseph Friedman
The trend of cooking chicken in the cold medicine could lead to an overdose of acetaminophen
Seven fire trucks, six ambulances and a medical helicopter responded to the incident, and providers transported victims to four area medical centers
The state plans to address the drug crisis by boosting law enforcement, treatment opportunities, and education and prevention programs
The man admitted he was “too drunk to drive” and later had his license suspended for 45 days
The Trace Eye-D products resemble individually packaged moist wipes