Area Substance Abuse Council, Inc (2023)

FAQs

What is the self medication model? ›

The self-medication hypothesis or model means that there's an underlying cause that leads someone to use drugs. In this context, substances are a way to cope with emotions, stressors, and mental health disorders. Importantly, individuals with mental health disorders are not the only people who self-medicate.

A substance use disorder (SUD) is a mental disorder that affects a person's brain and behavior, leading to a person's inability to control their use of substances such as legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications. Symptoms can range from moderate to severe, with addiction being the most severe form of SUDs.

Is self-medication the same as an addiction? Self-medication is not the same as an addiction. An addiction is a condition where a person continues to use substances even though they cause serious problems for them. Professionals often use the term “alcohol use disorder” to describe using alcohol in this way.

While self-medicating is a behavior that occurs in the general population, studies demonstrate that self-medicating among people with existing anxiety disorders and mental illness is significantly higher.

This article claims that disruption brought on by trauma is best treated by what can be called the cycle of love, manifesting as the three pillars of recovery: awareness, acceptance, and integration.

What do you think is the best treatment for a drug addicts? ›

Counseling and other behavioral therapies are the most commonly used forms of treatment. Medications are often an important part of treatment, especially when combined with behavioral therapies. Treatment plans must be reviewed often and modified to fit the patient's changing needs.

Peer pressure is a strong factor in starting to use and misuse drugs, particularly for young people. Lack of family involvement. Difficult family situations or lack of a bond with your parents or siblings may increase the risk of addiction, as can a lack of parental supervision.

Alcohol is a depressant. It slows down processes in your brain and central nervous system, and can initially make you feel less inhibited. In the short-term, you might feel more relaxed - but these effects wear off quickly. In fact, if you're experiencing anxiety, drinking alcohol could be making things worse.

Alcohol stimulates GABA receptors, and thereby dampens activity in the brain. It is thought that this is why it produces an immediate reduction of anxiety, and overdoses can lead to coma. If there is a constant supply of alcohol, however, the brain receptors adapt by reducing GABA receptors.

Say Goodbye to Self-Medication

Realizing their own self-medicating habits. Changing their beliefs and thoughts about substances and self-medication. Finding healthier ways to cope such as therapy, meditation, exercise, or journaling. Enrolling in a professional addiction and mental health treatment program.

Anxiety disorders are a type of mental health condition. Anxiety makes it difficult to get through your day. Symptoms include feelings of nervousness, panic and fear as well as sweating and a rapid heartbeat. Treatments include medications and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Is there over the counter medicine for anxiety? ›

Unfortunately, the only medications for anxiety are prescription and can not be bought over the counter. There is no such thing as over-the-counter anxiety medication. Anxiety medication alters the brain which is why it is a controlled substance and something you have to obtain from a doctor.

Self-medication has traditionally been defined as “the taking of drugs, herbs or home remedies on one's own initiative, or on the advice of another person, without consulting a doctor.”[3]

: the act or process of medicating oneself especially without the advice of a physician : self-treatment. For chronic coughs, self-medication with cough remedies is usually inappropriate, and most doctors discourage their use.

1. Khantzian EJ. The self-medication hypothesis of addictive disorders.

Self-medication is the use of drugs to treat self-diagnosed disorders or symptoms or the intermittent or continued use of prescribed drug for chronic or recurrent disease or symptoms, and it is mostly common in developing countries.