The Dangers of Self Medication

There are millions of people worldwide that are suffering from anxiety as well as depression. From an early childhood, these people feel uncomfortable when in a social gathering. As a result, they try their level best to avoid social contact throughout their teenage years. Whereas seclusion makes such people feel good about themselves they still feel left out in the society as they cannot interact with their peers with ease. With time, they start to loath social phobia and in the end make a decision to do something about it.

Having seen their parents take alcohol during social gatherings at an early stage and observed how it made them feel relaxed, people who are filled with social phobia start to self-medicate on alcohol, over-the-counter anti-depressants and other drugs. Today, there are men and women whose marriages have broken up, they have lost their jobs, or are in rehabs or in jail as a result of excessive drinking or drug abuse that started in early childhood with just one sip of wine or one puff of cigarette. 

A majority of people that have social phobia often resort to alcohol or other drugs (i.e. marijuana) as it provides them with temporary respite from daily tussles. Nonetheless, for those people who habitually search for something that can “take the edge off” grave issues with overreliance might just be lying underneath the shell. What initially starts off as a means of struggling with awkward scenarios can rapidly turn into an all-encompassing, overwhelming addiction. Overreliance of substances such as alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes or pain killers to calm the mind is nothing short of compulsion, necessitating for a change in lifestyle and in most instances, professional assistance.

Self-medication can result in a number of psychological health conditions, such as, anxiety, depression and bipolar. However, there are other mental health conditions which one can suffer from due to overreliance on self-medication, for example, post-traumatic stress disorder.

The likely hazards of self-medication are numerous, and key amongst them is the risk of addiction. A study that was carried out in the year 2007 by a group of psychiatrists and reported in the American Journal of Psychiatry recognized a clear correspondence between alcohol reliance and social anxiety. The report further illustrated that folks suffering from anxiety are more susceptible to a snowballing dependency on alcohol given that alcohol wears off, triggering withdrawal symptoms can cause a greater anxiety, and this in turn increases the chances of further drinking.

Even though self-medication is frequently regarded as an adult behavior, teenagers are also at risk. A study that was carried out in 2008 by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy showed a disturbing association between depression and teen drug abuse. The research explains a common situation of teenagers treating feelings anxiety and depression using cannabis sativa, anti-depressants and other medications, only to extend their sorrow and develop more significant psychological health issues in the future.

Persons that self-medicate with painkillers, alcohol, marijuana or other drugs are advised to look for healthier, less risky approaches of dealing with their uneasiness. Suggested alternatives to self-medication consist of enhanced dietary habits, counseling, regular workouts and natural medications.

For those who started out self-medicating with various drugs until they found themselves hooked, there are many substance abuse help options that can help them get off those drugs.