An 18-Year-Old Man Returns to the Office for a Check-Up

An 18-year-old man returns to the office for a check-up. He was treated in the emergency room three months ago for panic episodes caused by cocaine usage. Following that, the patient quit taking cocaine and has had no recurring anxiety problems. He finished high school, got a new job, and is thinking about applying to community college. At today's appointment, the patient recalls having taken cocaine at a friend's residence over the weekend. He claims, "I really screwed up. I'm feeling defeated." The patient has no medical history. He is not in any bodily pain. Which of the following statements by the physician is the most suitable at this time?

A) "Do you think using cocaine again could have a negative impact on your job and going to college?"
B) "It's hard to quit.  Let's go over the health effects of cocaine to help motivate you to stay sober."
C) "Quitting is difficult, so don't be so hard on yourself.  Let's move forward from here."
D) "Socializing with your friend probably contributed to your relapse.  Let's look at strategies to deal with peer pressure."
E) "You've been making real progress in quitting.  What can we learn from this temporary setback?"

Correct Answer:

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