Past-year violence typologies among patients with cocaine-related chest pain

This study examines a consecutive cohort of patients (n = 219) presenting to an urban Emergency Department (ED) for cocaine-related chest pain (June 2002 to February 2005). Patients were interviewed regarding violence, substance use, and psychosocial factors. Significant markers of violence were increases in: past-year medical service use, binge drinking, marijuana use, cocaine diagnosis, but not cocaine use days. Rates and correlates of violence differed by relationship type (intimate partner, nonpartner) and role context (victimization, perpetration). Understanding these correlates has public health implications, both for preventing future violence and its associated ED service utilization, and for future interventions in cocaine users presenting to the ED.