If you struggle with your mental health, you may be at risk for self-medicating via drugs and alcohol. Some individuals self-medicate without realizing they are doing so, thus overlooking the dangers they are putting themselves in. Self-medication can lead to various health complications, including worsened mental health, physical health problems, and addiction. By understanding the signs and symptoms of self-medication, the dangers involved, and how to stop, you can better protect yourself against this often invisible threat.
When someone discusses self-medication, they refer to misusing drugs or alcohol to manage negative symptoms of various health disorders and conditions. Individuals that self-medicate may have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, a chronic health condition, injury, or chronic pain. However, you do not need to have a formal diagnosis to self-medicate. Many individuals with undiagnosed disorders, especially mental health disorders, use drugs and alcohol to manage symptoms they view as parts of their everyday lives. They may be unaware of treatment for what they are experiencing, so they use drugs and alcohol to lessen symptoms.
Some individuals may also self-medicate after going through a traumatic life event or experiencing grief and loss. Individuals that experience intense grief may use drugs and alcohol to make their symptoms more manageable. Individuals who have experienced trauma, such as war, an accident, sexual assault, or an abusive relationship, often use substances to cope with the intense and confusing emotions accompanying the event.
Many individuals do not realize they are self-medicating, meaning they may unknowingly look over the risks involved. Overlooking risks is most common in the early stages of self-medication as the person feels better when they use drugs and alcohol, so they may assume they are helping themselves. However, long-term self-medication can lead to further mental and physical health issues.
For example, individuals that chronically misuse benzodiazepines may experience worsening symptoms of depression. Those who repeatedly smoke marijuana can experience chemical imbalances in their brains and lung damage from the smoke. Self-medication can also lead to addiction as the body becomes physically dependent on the substances used. The brain will learn to associate pleasure with using the substance despite the harmful effects on your life. Further health problems can emerge as well. Over time, self-medication results in worsened symptoms than the person started with, such as exacerbated mental health symptoms, substance use disorders, or other new harmful problems.
Self-medication can easily be overlooked if you aren’t sure of the signs and symptoms. However, neglecting these can result in further damage as you continue to self-medicate. Learning these signs and identifying them in yourself or others can save the person and their body from further harm.
If you notice any of the following signs in yourself or someone you know, they could indicate the presence of self-medication:
Individuals that self-medicate are typically suffering from underlying issues regarding their health or psyche. For this reason, noticing the signs of self-medication and seeking treatment can help the person quit using drugs and alcohol and find healing regarding their underlying issues. Finding a treatment facility that treats addiction and mental health problems is crucial to success in recovery. Various programs are available depending on your financial needs, level of care required, and amount of time you can spend in treatment. Typically, individuals that self-medicate find intensive treatment settings such as inpatient or residential treatment programs to be most helpful.
Treatment will usually involve various therapies, mindfulness, wellness and nutrition programs, family sessions, and more. All of these are used in conjunction to address your individual needs in recovery to give you the best chance at successful, long-term sobriety. Some facilities even have recreational therapy programs that involve outdoor activities to help individuals find outdoor hobbies that they can use even after leaving treatment. Once the person has undergone treatment and has been evaluated by their treatment team, they can create an aftercare plan to consider ongoing care and relapse prevention. Hope is out there. You just have to ask for it.
Self-medicating is much more common than one might think, yet many individuals do not realize they are self-medicating. Many people ignore their underlying problems and opt to use drugs and alcohol to manage their symptoms. However, doing so will make things worse in the long run. Therefore, it is imperative to recognize the signs of self-medication and understand its dangers. From there, the person can seek out treatment to address their substance misuse and the underlying issues that caused it in the first place. NorthStar Transitions has significant experience in treating individuals struggling with self-medication due to underlying health concerns. We have successfully treated hundreds of patients who now enjoy a life of happiness, health, and sobriety. The NorthStar difference is clinical excellence, evidence-based therapeutic modalities, personalized treatment plans, and our location in the serene and majestic setting of Boulder, Colorado. If you want to find healing today, contact us anytime at (303) 558-6400. Experience the NorthStar difference today.
