Chronic pain and aberrant drug-related behavior in the emergency department

Emergency physicians commonly evaluate those with chronic pain and substance abuse disorders; they are more common among emergency department patients that in the general population. Concern regarding coexisting substance use disorders among patients with pain influences treatment; however, the relationship between these two conditions is often murky and limited research is available to guide clinical decision making. At both individual and population levels, a balanced perspective in approaching this difficult issue will best serve patients.