Self-Medicating: What It Is and How to Seek Help
In This Article
Self-medicating is a behavior in which someone uses drugs, herbs, or other home remedies to self-administer treatment. People often self-medicate without consulting a doctor first, resulting in health problems or complications.
Let’s discuss why people self-medicate, how to tell if someone is doing this, and the common substances people use.
Why Do People Self-Medicate?
Some people use drugs and alcohol to cope with negative emotions or feelings. The most common reasons for self-medication were fatigue, weakness, anxiety, and fever.
Someone living with social anxiety may use alcohol for its calming and sedating effects. Meanwhile, approximately 20% of people with PTSD use substances to relieve their symptoms.
In some cases, people think self-medicating is harmless. Other reasons they might do this include:
- A history of chronic diseases
- Chronic pain
- Mental illness
- Availability of medications at home
- The cost, availability, and adequacy of healthcare
- The lack of time to seek proper medical care
- Unwillingness to seek professional help
- Hiding or denying a condition
- Inefficient drugs used for past treatments
- Fear of side effects from medications
Does Self-Medication Actually Work?
People who self-medicate are only treating the symptoms rather than the source of their problem. Many don’t accurately diagnose their medical issues.
Even when the issue is correctly diagnosed, they don’t know the right therapy or medication to use. Because of this, they go without treatment. This can lead to many serious health issues.
What are the Signs of Self-Medication?
Self-medication can increase the risk of substance use disorders (SUD) and other health problems. If you notice any of the following signs, consider seeking professional help:
- Drinking or taking drugs first thing in the morning
- Alcohol or drug use on the job
- Alcohol or drug use during family functions
- Drinking or taking drugs when stressed
- Using substances to drown difficult emotions
- A dependence on alcohol or drugs to cope with daily life
Difference Between Substance Abuse and Self-Medicating
Self-medication involves using drugs or alcohol to manage the symptoms of a physical or mental health condition. Meanwhile, substance abuse occurs when someone uses these substances out of a compulsive psychological need.
In a study of 25,000 patients who were misusing prescription drugs, over 87% suffered from chronic pain. More than half used drugs to self-medicate their pain.
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Treatment for Substance Use Disorder
There are many treatment options for people who develop an SUD because of self-medication. People with SUDs often need treatment for co-occurring disorders, which means they suffer from other mental illnesses alongside addiction.
Some common treatments for substance use disorder include:
- Medical detox: Medically supervised detox used to avoid harmful withdrawal effects.
- Inpatient treatment: Involves checking yourself into a rehab facility for 24-hour medical supervision.
- Outpatient treatment: A treatment program where you are freely allowed to leave the rehab facility.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): A short-term therapy technique that explores the link between thought patterns and addiction.
- Medication-assisted treatment: Involves using medication, counseling, and therapy to treat addiction.
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP): A treatment program where you stay at a rehab facility for a day and return home at night.
- Support groups: Provide a much-needed community to help maintain sobriety after treatment.
Keep in mind that no single treatment is right for everyone. There are several factors that determine what treatment is best for you, including the type of SUD, the severity of the addiction, your finances, and even your living situation.
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What are the Risks of Self-Medication?
People often self-medicate to cope with everyday stress. This means you can quickly become addicted to drugs or alcohol because of how the brain develops an increasing tolerance to these substances.
Over 25% of people with a substance use disorder (SUD) developed the disease through self-medication. Other potential risks of self-medicating include:
- Taking an incorrect or excessive dosage
- Excessively prolonged use
- Failure to recognize or report adverse reactions
- Developing a drug addiction
- Worsening depression or anxiety
- Allergies or skin problems
- Hypersensitivity
- Masking symptoms of serious illnesses
- Harmful interactions with other medications or food
- Accidental overdose and death
8 Common Substances Used for Self-Medication
The most used self-medicating substances are over-the-counter drugs and dietary supplements. They don’t require a doctor’s prescription to obtain and can be found in supermarkets and convenience stores.
Other harmful options or indulgences used to self-medicate include:
1. Alcohol
It’s often used for self-medication because of the general acceptance of alcohol and its availability. Although alcohol can temporarily relieve someone of depression and anxiety, developing a dependence on it can worsen their condition.
2. Nicotine
Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical compound found in tobacco. It can increase focus, alertness, and relaxation, making it a common self-medication substance.
Nicotine changes the brain’s chemicals and causes a wide range of side effects on the body’s organs and symptoms.
3. Opiates or Opioids
While these can provide a temporary euphoric sensation or “high,” abusing opioids is hazardous and can lead to serious injury or a fatal overdose. Commonly used opioids include codeine, morphine, heroin, oxycodone, and hydrocodone.
4. Marijuana
Cannabis or weed is the most widely used substance among people with depression. However, weed can actually worsen depression symptoms when used in excess.
5. Stimulants
Stimulants are highly addictive drugs that can increase activity in the body. The most commonly used stimulants include cocaine, amphetamines, and methamphetamine.
Some amphetamines like Adderall are prescribed for the management of some medical conditions. However, these can also be used for self-medication or substance abuse.
Stimulant misuse can cause significant damage to various organs. This is especially dangerous to the cardiovascular system, which can be fatal.
6. Caffeine
Caffeine is another substance commonly used for self-medication because of its availability and general acceptance. Although it can boost mood and focus, it can increase feelings of depression and anxiety when overused.
7. Food
The terms “emotional eating,” “binge eating,” or “comfort eating” are commonly used to describe the practice of self-medicating with food.
Self-medicating with food may temporarily relieve stress in people who are not clinically depressed. However, it can cause decreased self-esteem, eating disorders, and unhealthy weight gain.
8. Prescription Drugs
People tend to self-medicate with prescription drugs by increasing their dosage or frequency without telling their doctor. Some may even continue using their medication for longer than prescribed.
Commonly misused prescription medications include anti-anxiety medications like Xanax or Klonopin.
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- Alexander, A. & Ward, K. “Understanding Postdisaster Substance Use and Psychological Distress Using Concepts from the Self-Medication Hypothesis and Social Cognitive Theory.” Journal of psychoactive drugs, 2018.
- Bennadi D. “Self-medication: A current challenge.” J Basic Clin Pharm, 2013.
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- Lazareck et al. “A longitudinal investigation of the role of self-medication in the development of comorbid mood and drug use disorders: findings from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC).” J Clin Psychiatry, 2012.
- Hawn et al. “A Systematic Review of the Self-Medication Hypothesis in the Context of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Comorbid Problematic Alcohol Use.” J Trauma Stress, 2020.
- “Many Patients Abusing Drugs and Alcohol Are Self-Medicating Chronic Pain.” Boston University School of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, 2016.
- “THE NEUROBIOLOGY OF SUBSTANCE USE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION.” SurgeonGeneral.gov, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2023.
- “Treatment Approaches for Substance Use Disorder.” Carebridge Corporation, 2021.
