Registrar: A Problem Shared - Prescription drugs on the high street.

Dealing with drug addiction is a challenging situation and needs a multidisciplinary team effort.

THE PROBLEM

A woman in her fifties comes to request more diazepam for long-standing anxiety. As you start discussing the possible need to reduce or stop this treatment she becomes quite abrupt, then bursts into tears and admits that she sells the medication on the street to help her son with his drug problem. What do you do?

- DR VIBHORE PRASAD'S VIEW

The patient comes first. Here is your chance to enhance the patient-doctor relationship. Feel privileged that she opened up to you. The last thing you want is for her to regret this action. Explore her ideas, concerns and expectations. Ask what she would do in your situation. This is her chance to handle her own problem.

There may be phone numbers you can give her for support agencies. If her …