The Dangers of Self Medicating for Mental Health Problems

With so many Americans struggling with mental health problems today, many are self-medicating to deal with their issues. But the dangers of self medicating are harmful and can even be life-threatening.

What Does “Self Medicating” Mean?

Self medication refers to using mind-altering substances to fix or improve an emotional or mental health issue. For example, someone who is struggling with the loss of a loved one may start drinking heavily. Someone going through a break-up may begin using opioid medications left over from a surgery to deal with sadness.

These situations are examples of self medication because the individual is not seeking professional help. Instead, they are diagnosing their own anxiety, sadness, or frustration and trying to heal themselves with substance use.

What Are the Dangers of Self Medicating?

Many people don’t understand why self medication is dangerous.

It’s bad because alcohol and drugs should not be used as a substitute for therapy and treatment for mental health disorders. And street drugs like heroin or cocaine are always dangerous.

Alcohol is okay for some people in moderation. When used to “deal with your problems,” however, it’s dangerous to your health. Those who struggle with alcohol may get in trouble with the law, lose friends and loved ones, or suffer financially.

Opioid pain medications are abused, too. Taking these drugs often gives the user a mellow high. They can make you forget your worries. But they have harmful side effects, including brain and body damage, too.

How Can You Help Someone Who Is Self Medicating?

Because the dangers of self medicating are severe, it’s crucial to stop self-medication as soon as possible. For friends and relatives of those abusing drugs, this means intervening as soon as signs and symptoms arise.

Those who self medicate may start making excuses to drink or use drugs. They may have odd behavioral patterns or be anxious or moody.

Those with self medicating problems may become more secretive. If they are abusing opioid medications, they could start “doctor shopping” to get more prescriptions. They may steal drugs or prescriptions from others or turn to heroin.

Beaches Recovery Can Help

Beaches Recovery is known widely as the best inpatient rehab in Florida. We primarily help young people, but we can assist anyone struggling with an addiction problem. Our campus is in Jacksonville, Florida.

We see the dangers of self medicating regularly. That’s why we offer dual diagnosis treatment. Our counselors will dig into the cause of the need to self-medicate and treat that as well as the addiction.

If you or a loved one is self medicating with alcohol or drugs, our programs can help. They include:

• Outpatient program
• Residential drug rehab
• Intensive outpatient program
• Dual diagnosis care programs
• Extended care

Our therapies include art, fitness, hiking, and bowling therapy. We also teach mindfulness training. This helps our clients focus on the present moment and improve anxiety and stress.

Remember that the dangers of self medicating are severe and will lead you to a dark place very quickly. Don’t allow drugs or other addictions control you for one more day. You can quit using for good with the help of a quality drug rehab program. Call Beaches Recovery today at 866.605.0532, and we’ll get you started on a fast-track to recovery.