A pre-existing mental health condition is one of the most common risk factors for addiction. People with any range of mental health challenges may turn to substances to self-soothe. However, there are many dangers of self-medication. Addiction is a chronic disease that requires focused treatment like any other. Often, an underlying mental health issue intersects in many ways with substance abuse. These kinds of co-occurring disorders require a mental health practitioner to make what is called a dual diagnosis.
When there is a dual diagnosis, it is important to receive specific treatment that addresses both conditions—addiction and mental health issues—in a coordinated approach. If you are concerned that you or someone you love is self-medicating with drugs or alcohol to cope with a mental health condition, don’t hesitate to reach out. NorthStar offers substance abuse treatment and support for co-occurring mental health conditions. Call 888.373.8052 to get help now.
Self-Medicating Behaviors
When someone uses drugs or alcohol, either consciously or unconsciously, to mute or manage symptoms of a mental health or other health condition, this is known as “self-medicating.” It temporarily helps them cope with emotional pain or discomfort and other symptoms. However, it only worsens the issues. It is common for someone with anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, or other mental health conditions, to self-medicate.
People who self-medicate often do so for two different but connected reasons:
- To cope with their feelings and the emotional strain of having a co-occurring health or mental health condition
- To mitigate the actual symptoms, whether it’s physical pain, emotional pain, anxiety, panic, hallucinations, or more
When there are no solutions readily available, someone may feel that self-medication is the only thing that will help. However, after an initial stage, when things seem better, the dependence on alcohol or drugs only makes things worse.
Dangers of Self-Medicating
Whether mental health issues have been diagnosed or not, the symptoms are there regardless. Once you are self-medicating, it is harder to diagnose any underlying mental health condition. If you are in treatment for your mental health issues, self-medication can interfere with your treatment. In either case, self-medicating can worsen symptoms of illness and result in addiction. Stimulants like cocaine, for instance, exacerbate symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Below are some specific risks of self-medicating:
- Delay in help-seeking – If you are taking drugs or drinking to mask symptoms, you are less likely to get professional advice and seek proper diagnosis and treatment.
- Dangerous drug interactions – If you are taking a medication for your co-occurring disorder and abusing alcohol or another drug (not as prescribed or without a prescription), it can be dangerous.
- Incorrect dosage – If you are taking a prescription drug not prescribed to you or not according to dosage instructions, you are taking a serious risk of developing adverse side effects or overdosing.
- Incorrect self-diagnosis – Many people self-medicate without consciously realizing what they are doing, but if you have diagnosed yourself with something, such as anxiety, and attempt to medicate yourself, your potential misdiagnosis can lead to further complications.
- Dependence, abuse, and addiction – Self-medicating puts you at great risk of addiction.
Substance abuse can also lead to new mental health symptoms. There is some research, for example, that links marijuana use in teens with early-onset psychosis.
Reach Out to NorthStar Clinical Services for Guidance
If you or someone you know has been self-medicating for a suspected or diagnosed co-occurring mental health issue, it’s time to get help.
At NorthStar Clinical Services, our professional staff treats co-occurring disorders in a coordinated, team approach using evidence-based practices. We can help you at whatever stage you find yourself. Don’t wait. Contact us today by calling 888.373.8052 or using our online form. You don’t have to do this by yourself.