Jim V.
When you use alcohol or drugs to cope with pain, anxiety and other symptoms, this form of self-medication can lead to substance use disorder, which is a form of addiction. One survey suggests that about 20% of Americans who have anxiety or mood disorders also struggle with SUDs, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).
Other triggers for self-medication, according to ADAA, include:
When we in the addiction and recovery community talk about self-medication, we typically refer to people who struggle with depression, mood and anxiety disorders and use alcohol and drugs (whether over-the-counter, prescribed, or illicit) to treat the symptoms.
Self-medication, however, can take place without alcohol and drugs; some people develop behavioral addictions, such as gambling, food, and sex. Self-medication can lead to alcohol and drug dependence, which can lead to addiction.
You may have heard the term “comorbidity,” which describes the existence of substance use disorder (SUD) alongside another diagnosis such as depression, anxiety or another diagnosis. Scientific research tells us that the relationship between SUD and depression and anxiety is real. We cover that topic in a related article called “Alcohol and Depression — Are They Linked?” The short answer is yes, and they have a long and complicated relationship with each other.
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Many people who self-medicate are not aware that’s what they’re doing. You may have said or heard someone say, “I drink to take the edge off” or refer to alcohol as “liquid courage.” These are a milder form of self-medication, using alcohol to cope with stress, anxiety and nerves.
In more serious forms of self-medication, people misuse, overuse and mix alcohol and drugs to deal with stress, anxiety, and pain, which can lead to dependence and substance use disorders. While those substances may offer temporary relief, they can also worsen those conditions. That’s where the cycle of self-medication and addiction begins.
People who self-medicate do so for a number of reasons. Some turn to alcohol because it is legal, it’s readily available and doesn’t require a prescription. Some people lack funds to seek professional help. And some feel shame.
For people who suffer from depression and anxiety, it can be difficult to admit. Even though anxiety disorders affect about 40 million American adults (or 18% of the population, according to ADAA), there is still a negative stigma attached to them. The ADAA breaks down anxiety disorders as follows:
If you can answer yes to one or more of the statements below, you (or someone you know) may have a substance use disorder from self-medicating. Talk to an addiction specialist at Cornerstone of Southern California for a free, no-obligation and confidential addiction assessment.
When you take medications that aren’t prescribed for you, you risk adverse side effects including overdose. Other risks, as described in an article on PubMed.gov (a website for scholarly articles curated by the National Institutes of Health) include:
The consequences of self-medication can be dangerous and even fatal. Seek help from your family doctor or call Cornerstone of Southern California at (714) 547-5375.
