What is Self-Medicating and How Can an Addiction Treatment Center Help?

Many people suffer from mental health conditions in America. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness.”[1]

If you suffer from mental health issues, you must receive professional treatment. Unfortunately, many people do not receive the care they need. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, out of the people who sought help for their condition, nearly 5 million of them were unable to access the care they needed.[2]

Living with an untreated mental health condition can be extremely difficult, as many of these illnesses impact your ability to function daily. This can cause you to seek outside ways to soothe the symptoms of your condition. Sadly, this often leads to self-medication through the use of alcohol or drugs.

If you got addicted to drugs or alcohol as a result of self-medicating, an addiction treatment center like Woburn Addiction Treatment can help.

What is Self Medicating?

Self-medicating refers to the use of alcohol or drugs in an attempt to manage distressing symptoms of a mental health condition. While you may be self-medicating a previously diagnosed condition, it is possible to self-medicate the symptoms of an underlying condition you are unaware of. For example, if you feel anxious and worried constantly, you may begin abusing alcohol or marijuana to feel calm and more confident in social situations.

If you are self-medicating, it is usually for one of two reasons:

1. Substances seem to make the feelings of distressing situations feel more manageable at the moment, serving as a coping mechanism.
2. You are unable to find another way to deal with your feelings or mental health condition, causing you to abuse substances.

When it comes to self-medication, it is most commonly done to limit the symptoms of anxiety and mood disorders. One study found that 22% of people with an anxiety disorder, 21% of people with PTSD, 23% of people with depression, and 41% of people with bipolar disorder used substances as a form of self-medication.[3]

Are You Self-Medicating?

If you are worried that you are self-medicating, there are a few signs and symptoms that can indicate that you are using substances as a negative coping mechanism.

Some of the signs of self-medication include:

• Using drugs or alcohol during times of negative thoughts or emotions
• Feeling like you cannot feel “normal” or happy without substances
• Isolating from friends and family to use substances
• Sudden changes in hobbies or how you spend your time
• Sudden feelings of anger and mood swings
• Being secretive about how you spend your time
• Neglecting personal hygiene
• New financial problems due to spending your money on drugs and alcohol

One of the most common feelings that people self-medicate is stress. If you find that you reach for the bottle in times of worry, stress, or anxiety, you are most likely suffering from self-medication. While this can help you feel better at the moment, abusing substances often worsens mental health issues over time.

Some people are more susceptible to self-medication. If you relate to the following risk factors, you are at a high risk of self-medicating your mental health condition:

• You have experienced childhood trauma
• You have not attended professional treatment for mental health issues, like therapy or a residential program
• You’ve experienced intense emotional situations
• You’re a victim of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
• You suffer from depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or another mental health condition

How to Stop Self-Medicating

Compulsive self-medication often leads to the development of addiction. If you suffer from self-medication and experience symptoms of withdrawal when you cannot use drugs or alcohol, you most likely have a substance use disorder. The best way to stop self-medicating is to attend a professional dual diagnosis treatment program that can help you learn to manage your mental health condition without the use of substances.

If you are trying to stop self-medicating, you can

• Attend therapy if you are not suffering from addiction yet
• Go to outpatient dual diagnosis treatment
• Enroll in an inpatient dual diagnosis treatment program
• Attend peer support groups
• Learn positive coping strategies
• Recognize your problem with substances
• Change your beliefs about substance use and self-medication

Treating the Root Cause of Your Addiction

When substance use becomes a form of self medication, lasting recovery depends on identifying and treating the underlying cause of the behavior. Many individuals turn to drugs or alcohol in an effort to manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma related conditions, or serious mental health disorders such as schizophrenia. Without addressing these co occurring conditions, substance use is likely to continue. Dual diagnosis addiction and mental health treatment centers are specifically designed to treat both conditions at the same time, improving long term outcomes.

Dual diagnosis programs use a comprehensive, individualized approach that recognizes no two people have the same clinical needs. Treatment plans are tailored to address both mental health symptoms and substance use patterns, often combining evidence based addiction treatment, behavioral therapies, medication management, and peer support. This integrated approach helps stabilize symptoms, reduce the urge to self medicate, and build healthier coping strategies.

An essential component of dual diagnosis care is relapse prevention. These programs focus on helping individuals recognize early warning signs, manage stressors, and maintain stability in both mental health and recovery. Relapse prevention planning typically includes:

• Identifying personal triggers and developing effective coping strategies
• Ongoing individual therapy and group counseling
• Referrals to continued levels of care such as outpatient treatment or sober living
• Medication management for psychiatric conditions when clinically appropriate
• A reliable support network for times of emotional or psychological distress

By addressing mental health and substance use together, dual diagnosis treatment provides the structure, skills, and support necessary for sustainable recovery and improved quality of life.