The misuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs to self-medicate for substance abuse or mental illness can have serious—even fatal—consequences.
Self-medication is a dangerous way to treat these conditions as it often leads to addiction, other health risks, and long-term damage from neglecting professional care. Outpatient rehab Los Angeles programs provide a safe and effective alternative to self-medication for addictive disorders and mental health conditions.
This blog post will discuss why self-medication is not an effective treatment option for either mental illness or substance abuse. We’ll look at the potential dangers of this practice by examining the various physical and psychological effects that can arise when people attempt to use the medication instead of receiving proper medical attention.
What is Self-medication?
The self-medication hypothesis suggests that people may use over-the-counter or prescription drugs in a manner to improve their psychiatric symptoms, incorporating legal and illegal drugs, such as marijuana and cocaine.
That’s why when you are self-medicating, you should read about all the details of the drugs you are planning to take to make sure that you avoid any side effects. You can read about the pros and cons of a specific drug, its side effects, and much more at Printers to get informed and be prepared on all the effects.
It is common for those experiencing an ongoing mental health disorder to self-medicate to manage their symptoms and derive some relief. It stems from inadequate access to and utilization of traditional, professional healthcare services.
Unfortunately, self-medication can lead to drug and alcohol abuse, which has often been linked with anxiety disorders and other forms of psychological stress. Individuals should consult medical professionals when seeking treatment for mental health struggles or substance abuse problems before trying to self-medicate.
Why Do People Do Self-medication?
Self-medication, which refers to treating physical and mental health issues with drug and alcohol use, is increasingly common among many people. People choose self-medication as a coping mechanism for managing their mental health issues or an inability to afford adequate professional help. This can be exacerbated by daily stressors or individuals suffering from an underlying mental illness such as:
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Anxiety disorders
- Depressive disorders
- Panic disorder
- Mood disorders
- Affective disorders
- Borderline personality disorder
Other significant reasons for self-medication include drug abuse, self-treatment of chronic pain, substance use disorders, and emotional regulation.
Although self-medicating may temporarily alleviate symptoms of these conditions, it is neither effective nor safe in the long run as it does not address the cause of the issue that person is facing.
The Dangers of Self-medication
Self-medication is becoming concerning as people increasingly incorporate drug and alcohol dependence to self-medicate psychiatric disorders and other emotional issues.
Self-medicating depression is often done out of desperation and the urge to find quick relief for the mental health condition. Still, many don’t realize the potential lasting damage they can cause to their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Physical Risks of Self-Medication
Self-medication is using drugs or alcohol to cope with psychological challenges, ultimately leading to more damage than relief. This practice has significant physical risks, including acute and chronic physical illness, overdose, and an increased risk of substance use disorders.
Taking matters into your own hands is not always wise regarding physical health. Self-medication can have several inherent risks, including physical pain and additional bodily strain.
Mental Health Risks of Self-Medication
Self-medication, or using drugs and other substances to treat depressive symptoms or anxiety disorders without consulting a medical professional, has become increasingly popular among young adults over the last decade. When we attempt to medicate ourselves without proper medical supervision, our central nervous system is highly at risk of experiencing long-term adverse effects.
Every time someone attempts to self-medicate to alleviate a mental health issue like depression and anxiety, they are lowering the chances of finding sustainable solutions and may instead create new problems due to the interference of other mental illnesses like addiction.
Negative Interactions between Medications
Self-medication can seem like a harmless solution to medical issues in the short term, but patients must remain mindful of its dangers. One such risk is negative interactions between medications.
For example, drinking alcohol while taking certain antibiotics or anti-seizure medications can have hazardous effects on the body, ranging from increased drowsiness and dizziness to severe organ damage.
Additionally, those with existing alcohol use disorders should be especially careful when self-medicating as they may be more vulnerable to these harmful side effects.
Risks of Overdose and Poisoning
Self-medication is a common but dangerous behavior with severe consequences regarding the risks of overdose and poisoning. Although people facing treatable psychological conditions might attempt to treat depression independently, self-medicating does not address the underlying cause of major depression and could ultimately heighten feelings of distress.
Risks of Misdiagnosis and Delayed Treatment
People self-medicate a psychiatric disorder with alcohol or drugs and think they are taking care of their mental health when they are putting themselves at risk due to the potential of misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. Self-medication can also disrupt professional medical advice that would provide lasting benefits from psychological medicine.
Long-Term Consequences of Self-Medication
Self-medication often starts as a means of relieving mental health problems, but over time can lead to an increased risk of developing alcohol use disorder and other mental illness issues. It is essential to stop self-medicating to avoid the damaging long-term consequences it can have.
It has been recently documented that drug use disorders among young adult women are increasingly linked to self-medication behaviors. The potential of drug abuse leads to substance dependence, such as drinking alcohol excessively, which consists of withdrawal symptoms and tolerance to drug doses.
Furthermore, regularly consuming large amounts of alcohol has been shown to cause liver damage over time with other physical health complications, including some cancers.
Conclusion
The risks of self-medicating with drugs and alcohol can lead to long-term addiction, potentially fatal overdoses, and severe health conditions. Those who self-medicate may find that their ability to self-regulate becomes impaired, leading to further substance abuse, anxiety disorders, psychological pain, and health complications.
Alcohol research has shown that professional intervention is critical for those struggling with substance use disorder due to self-medication. According to a national epidemiological survey, self-medicating for substance abuse and mental illness increases the risk of further medical complications.
Fortunately, other support options, such as peer support groups or programs administered by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), are available. While self-medication may manage symptoms in a short-term manner, its long-term effects can be more damaging. Those experiencing depression symptoms or other mental illnesses must seek professional help.