Self-medicating has also been used to explain why some people develop substance use problems.
The self-medication theory usually refers tosubstance use disorders, but it can also be applied to non-substance orbehavioral addictions.
For example, people may use marijuana as a way to manage their symptoms of chronic pain.
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This has lead to increased interest and availability of medical marijuana for the treatment of certain conditions.
How Often Do People Self-Medicate?
The self-medication hypothesis is also used to explain why mental health conditions often co-occur with substance use disorders.
The theory is compassionate to people with addictions, particularly people who use illicit drugs.
The self-medication theory also helpfully informs the therapeutic process.
The self-medication theory also reinforces the disease model of addiction.
It’s a distraction that can lead toprocrastination, but it’s not serious in most cases.
However, it generally increases problems over the long term.
For example, people may consume alcohol to improve mood orreduce anxiety.
However, chronic alcohol use canincrease depressionand the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder.
Many celebrities and even politicians have admitted to past drug use.
The theory will likely play an important role in current and future concepts of addiction.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
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