Am I Self-Medicating? [How to Know the Difference]

Different Drugs & Alcohol and Why People Use Them to Self-Medicate

Depending on the issue being suffered from, a person may seek out a wide variety of substances that help curb their negative symptoms. It’s been shown that stress for example plays a huge role in the choice to self-medicate. Those who are stressed often choose to partake in alcohol or opioid use.

Those suffering from mood disorders also seek out substances to abuse as a way to lessen the negative effects that come with it.

Alcohol

The most commonly abused substance worldwide is alcohol. People abuse alcohol for various purposes, some of which mediate stress and overcome anxiety.

Alcohol is nicknamed “liquid courage” because its effects help people overcome social and situational anxiety. Also, alcohol is frequently used to ease out of a hard day. People who are stressed often react to the stress with “I need a drink.”

People who are nervous about a situation commonly reach for a drink. Unfortunately, society condones relatively alcoholic behavior when using alcohol to overcome any discomfort. People drink on dates and “loosen up” before sex. Some people cannot have sex without first ingesting alcohol.

All of these situations involve using alcohol to self-medicate to overcome a problem, and none of these uses of alcohol are considered healthy.

Opioids

People who use opiates typically don’t want to feel anything—drugs like heroin and prescription painkillers typically numb a person completely, both physically and mentally. People who choose opioids are generally trying to avoid hurtful emotions and sensations.

The opioid epidemic is often linked to legitimate opioid use. An individual experiences emotional and psychological relief, which becomes the driving force behind the individual seeking more and more of this type of substance.

However, opioids are so extremely addictive that repeated use causes addiction, leading to complications of problems and an increase in trauma and distress.

Marijuana

Marijuana is a little unique in the world of mood and mind-altering substances. It is accepted as not causing physical dependence or addiction. However, the psychological and emotional effects can become something an individual relies too heavily on on.

People who use marijuana usually try to escape reality, boredom, or stress. Though not as toxic as heroin and meth, self-medicating with marijuana can be detrimental.
If a person uses any drug to escape reality, this is a problem. The only healthy way to handle reality is to use coping skills that do not involve altering reality.

Additionally, those who choose to smoke weed over other options to relieve boredom do no favors. By choosing marijuana, you are choosing sedation overactivity. A better way to handle boredom would be joining a sports club, volunteering, hiking, or just about anything other than weed.

Stress is another bad reason to smoke weed. Numbing or avoiding stress and emotions associated with stress generally makes the situation worse.