title: The impact of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use and abuse in the emergency department.
abstract: Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use is a significant societal problem. Individuals who use these substances are frequently seen in emergency departments at rates disproportionately greater than their population prevalence. This article highlights the impact of these drugs on patients and on emergency departments, including common presenting problems of individuals on these substances. Also discussed is how to help and to refer individuals with substance abuse problems through brief motivational interventions.
authors.affiliation: Section of Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA. gail.donofrio@yale.edu
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Onofrio
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Woolard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D010819:Physician's Role; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology