DiBenedetto DJ, et al. - Researchers performed a retrospective analysis of 513 consecutive patients receiving chronic opioid therapy to determine the average amount of time needed to recognize opioid aberrancy based upon varying frequencies of urine drug testing (UDT) in a community-based, tertiary care pain management center. “Opioid aberrancy” was defined through inconsistent UDT for purposes of the study. From January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018, at least one inconsistent UDT was detected in 115 patients (22.4%), and of all UDTs, 160 (2.8%) were inconsistent. In view of this rate of inconsistency, it seems that detection of a single aberrancy may take up to 36 months when monthly screening is undertaken and may take as long as 216 months when semi-annual testing is undertaken. These findings support undertaking more frequent UDT as it may aid in earlier detection of opioid aberrancy and in turn, may help to avoid misuse, overdose, and potential diversion. Moreover, earlier implementation of treatment of the emotional and behavioral factors causing aberrancy could be done with early detection. The higher success of such early intervention is expected in terms of reducing substance misuse in a chronic pain population, providing a higher degree of patient adherence and safety, as well as producing superior overall patient outcomes. Finally, avoidance of the necessity for drug rehabilitation and the empirically established higher costs of treating opioid misuse comorbidities may lead to substantial savings representing its economic benefits.