DRUG-USE AND MISUSE IN OPERANT PAIN PATIENTS

Psychiatric patients with pain problems and hospitalized patients referred for psychiatric consultation received a computer interview which covered the problem areas of pain and drug use. Individuals whose pain seemed to lack medical origin and resolution, who terminated activity at pain onset, and who usually required others to assist them during pain episodes, were classified as operant pain patients. The drug use and misuse of these patients were compared to that of non-operant pain patients, as well as to non-pain psychiatric patients. The operant group was found to have a greater proportion of drug users, to use a greater overall quantity of drugs and to misuse these drugs to a greater extent. Implications for treatment are discussed. © 1979.