Which of the following statements about coping with loss is most accurate?

• A. There are no negative consequences to using drugs and alcohol as coping tools for loss.
• B. All individuals should use drugs and alcohol to manage their feelings after experiencing loss.
• C. Drugs and alcohol can provide temporary relief but are generally unhealthy coping mechanisms for dealing with loss.
• D. Using drugs and alcohol is considered a positive and healthy way to cope with loss.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of coping mechanisms in psychology, which are strategies people use to manage stress, emotions, and difficult situations such as loss.
2. Step 2: Recognize that coping mechanisms can be adaptive (healthy) or maladaptive (unhealthy), depending on their effects on a person's well-being.
3. Step 3: Analyze the role of drugs and alcohol as coping tools, noting that while they may provide temporary relief from emotional pain, they often lead to negative consequences such as addiction, impaired judgment, and worsened mental health.
4. Step 4: Compare the given statements by evaluating their accuracy based on psychological research and clinical understanding of healthy versus unhealthy coping strategies.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the most accurate statement acknowledges that drugs and alcohol might offer short-term relief but are generally unhealthy coping mechanisms for dealing with loss.