In medicine it is important to use words correctly to convey as much objectivity as possible. Incorrect word usage can lead to false assumptions that affect treatment plan development and even, in some cases, poor clinical decisions.
With the mushrooming growth of drugs being prescribed for Pain Management purposes, word distinctions need to be made between legitimate use (clinical treatment) and misuse (forensic matters). There could be multiple words used to describe the same situation from both a clinical and forensic perspective. For example, the terms used by police officers are not likely be used by clinicians due to the stigma attached to certain words.
This article sets out to define the words most commonly used when discussing aberrant drug-related behavior.
Aberrant Drug-Related Behavior: Is There Correct Terminology?
Improving Pain Treatment Through Education
