frustrated aggression

A homeless polysubstance abuser finds his way to our ED and places the responsibility on us to get him into detox for cocaine, heroine, smoking and alcohol. Unfortunately all we can offer him are directions to the bus station and a token for a free ride to another hospital which offers these services.

On the way out, he explodes and it looks like he is ready to fight. My senior resident and 2 police officers come by to back me up. It takes a long time but we finally get him out the door and on his way to the bus station.

That was the closest I have gotten as a resident to having a patient ready to hit me.