What is self-medicating? If you’re asking yourself that question, you or someone you love is using drugs in a way that’s dangerous to their health and well-being. If you drink or use drugs for an extended period, you run the risk of developing a dependence and addiction to the substance of choice. Self-medicating isn’t recommended when dealing with stress, depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions.
Recovery Ranch PA supports clients who are struggling with addiction to alcohol, cocaine, prescription stimulants, or other addictive substances. Our substance abuse treatment center can treat all types of addiction, including those who self-medicate with cannabis, methamphetamine (meth), cocaine, or other drugs. We’ll create a comprehensive treatment program utilizing the top therapeutic methods for addiction treatment. You’ll work with an experienced therapist to teach you many healthy coping skills to manage your symptoms and triggers effectively.
What Is Self-Medicating?
Self-medicating is a type of substance abuse where a person uses small amounts of the drug each time. They use drugs or alcohol, including prescription medication, in an attempt to bury symptoms of anxiety, depression, physical pain, or other health issues. Unfortunately, they’re not treating the problem and are making it worse.
Some examples of self-medicating include:
- Drinking alcohol to help you relax and be more sociable
- Abusing illegal drugs like heroin, cocaine, or opioids to manage mental health symptoms
- Taking cold medication or anxiety medications to help you sleep
- Using ADHD medications to improve focus and concentration
- Eating sugary foods and snacks in an attempt to improve your mood
Dealing with stress is one of the biggest reasons people turn to drugs and alcohol for help. The euphoria and sense of well-being it creates are very relaxing and can lead to continuous use, dependence, and addiction.
Dependence is the physical need to continue the abuse, while addiction describes the psychological need to continue using despite any harm caused by it. If you try to stop without medical support, you’ll experience increasingly worse withdrawals and cravings. These symptoms include nausea and vomiting, muscle aches and pains, stomach problems, insomnia, sweating, and other debilitating symptoms.
The Dangers of Self-Medicating
While it may seem like self-medicating is a good idea, in reality, it’ll only worsen the original reasons for taking drugs or alcohol and lead to a substance use disorder (SUD). If this happens, a co-occurring disorder treatment program can treat the underlying condition and addiction simultaneously.
What is self-medicating, and why is it so dangerous? Here are some of the dangers you’ll experience when self-medicating:
- Hiding the real issue – When you self-medicate, you’re hiding from the real reasons for the abuse. It gives you temporary relief from your symptoms, but unless you deal with them by talking with a therapist, they’ll only worsen.
- Risk of addiction – Self-medicating may sound like a good idea, but it’s not. Over time, your tolerance will increase, pushing you to take more. If you’re not careful, it can lead to a strong addiction, which will require several weeks of therapy to recover.
- Worsening mental health – If you take drugs or alcohol to cope with depression and anxiety, you’re only making things worse. Substance abuse symptoms include depression and anxiety, and if you already have these conditions, it’ll complicate healing and intensify symptoms.
- Side effects and drug interactions – If you take multiple substances, you run the risk of having an adverse reaction to the drugs and experience side effects that can put you in the hospital. It dramatically increases the risk of overdose, which can lead to coma and death.
Self-medicating is a dangerous means of treating mental health issues. It can lead to co-occurring disorders that are difficult to manage and overcome. You’ll need a treatment plan that can treat both conditions simultaneously.
Connect with The Ranch PA to Start Substance Abuse Treatment Today
What is self-medicating? At The Ranch PA, we’ll discuss the reasons for self-medicating and create a detailed treatment plan based on your individual symptoms. Our team has experience treating all types of addiction and creating a safe and welcoming space where you can focus on healing. You’ll participate in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, and other beneficial therapies to learn how to manage your symptoms and other essential life skills.
If you’re self-medicating and want to stop, call 717.969.9126 or fill out our online contact form today to schedule a consultation and begin taking that first step toward a new life.
