There are plenty of people who become addicted to prescription medications after first using them properly, and still more who used drugs or alcohol for the first time recreationally. Some people, however, first start using drugs or alcohol in order to cope with trauma, pain, or mental illness. This is called self-medicating, and it usually does more harm than good.
There are many reasons why a person might self-medicate rather than seeking professional help. Despite the great strides that have been made, there is still a certain stigma surrounding mental illness. People might not want to admit that they have a problem, or they might not want other people to find out, for fear they’d view them differently. Other people might not have health insurance or otherwise be able to afford to see a therapist or psychiatrist. Similarly, people suffering from chronic pain not be able to afford doctor visits or prescription medications.
Self-medicating might work for a while. The drugs or alcohol dull the pain or produce a sense of euphoria that makes you forget your problems, but there are a number of problems with this. One, you’re not actually treating the underlying issue, just burying it, and it’s likely to continue getting worse. Two, the more you use, the more likely you are to develop a dependence. Three, those good feelings only last until the substance wears off, and then you’re likely to feel even worse than you did before. In fact, alcohol and many drugs can increase feelings of depression and anxiety.
Here are some signs that you might be self-medicating:
- Your first thought when you’re bored, lonely, sad, had a long day at work, had an argument with a friend or loved one, received bad news, or any other stressful situation is to reach for drugs or alcohol.
- You find that you’re feeling worse overall. Drug and alcohol abuse can interfere with sleep, proper eating habits, good hygiene, your mood, and many other things that affect your physical and mental health. You might also develop more problems as a result, like financial troubles if you frequently miss work due to your substance use, or relationship problems.
- You spend all your time thinking about drinking or getting high, or worrying when you can’t. Are you restless all day, thinking about how long it will be until you can get home and take a hit? Are you irritable when you’re in a social situation where there’s no alcohol available?
- Your friends and loved ones have expressed concern. You might not want to hear it, but if the people around you have noticed that you’re abusing drugs or drinking too much, then odds are you have a problem.
If you are self-medicating, take steps now to prevent or treat dependence. You need to address whatever issue is making you use, or you’ll never be able to break free.
If you or a loved one need help with quitting drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504 to get started.
