Benzodiazepines for the Reduction of Distress and Pain During and After Emergency Department Care

The investigators will enroll 120 medically stable adult patients who present to two emergency departments with a physical injury (\< 24 hours ago) and a chief complaint of pain. The investigators will randomly assign subjects using a blocked randomization schedule to either: 1) a single dose of oral lorazepam (1mg), or 2) oral placebo. Emergency department providers and patients will be blind to treatment allocation. All participants will complete measures of negative affect and pain scores at baseline, and and 1 and 2 hours post-study drug administration. The investigators will record any analgesics administered in the emergency department until discharge. Patients will also undergo quantitative sensory testing in the Emergency Department at baseline, and after study drug administration. At 14-days post-discharge, the investigators will measure summary reports of pain, mood, and analgesic medication used.