3 Signs a Person is Self-Medicating: Substance Use and Mental Illness
PSYCHIATRY NYC
February 28, 2023
Substance Use and Mental Health: Why People Self-Medicate Self-medication refers to the use of drugs or alcohol as an attempt to manage issues related to mental health. According to the 2018 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), about 20.3 million Americans aged 12 or over have a substance use disorder. There is no doubt that that number has skyrocketed over the last five years due to ease of gain and the pandemic. Most individuals who use substances to self-medicate use them to cope with or alleviate the symptoms of their mental health struggles. Some use drugs to reduce symptoms, while others use alcohol, food, or even exercise. 3 Signs of Self-Medication If you notice changes in behaviors or