Episode Details

On this episode of ACEP Frontline, Dr. Ryan Stanton sits down with Drs. Stephen Anderson and James "Big Jim" Neuenschwander for a powerful conversation on expanding access to recovery resources for patients with opioid use disorder. The discussion highlights the critical role emergency departments play in initiating medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), providing naloxone, and creating meaningful connections to ongoing treatment and recovery services. The guests discuss The Naloxone Project and its efforts to increase access to this lifesaving medication while reducing barriers for patients and communities affected by the opioid epidemic. Dr. Anderson also shares the deeply personal experiences that have fueled his commitment to this work, offering a moving perspective on why compassion, evidence-based care, and reducing stigma are essential to improving outcomes. Together, they explore practical strategies for emergency physicians to move beyond treating overdose alone and become a pivotal bridge to recovery. This episode is an inspiring reminder that every encounter in the emergency department represents an opportunity to save a life, restore hope, and change the trajectory of a patient's future.