Retrospective chart review of substance abuse in patients with psychiatric emergencies in an emerging urban county

Abstract Objectives: Substance abuse is common in patients with psychiatric emergencies. To further understand the connection between substance abuse and psychiatric disorders, a retrospective chart review was done that included positive drug screens among patients with psychiatric emergencies and to determine whether there was an association between substances used and the psychiatric diagnosis. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients seen in an emergency department with psychiatric emergencies was conducted. The review comprised 1000 charts with diagnoses of anxiety, depression,