It can be all too easy to think that you are in control when you turn to self-medicating with alcohol or drugs as a way of coping with chronic pain or some other condition that you need relief from.

However, as you will often discover when you read about other people’s experiences on health and fitness blogs like conservehealth, for example, there can be issues and even dangers attached to taking the self-medication route.

Here are some things you should know on this topic.

Why you might be tempted by self-medication

In many ways, it is perfectly understandable that you might consider turning to drugs or alcohol in order to cope with symptoms that you are experiencing as a result of an underlying condition or medical problem.

When it comes to treating minor illnesses or ailments it is fairly commonplace for someone in that position to consider turning to self-medication rather than seeking help through the healthcare system.

However, if you don’t receive a proper diagnosis or the correct medical treatment required there is a danger that self-medicating could make your condition worse and might even cause substance use or addition problems.

One of the primary theories behind why self-medication is so widespread is that when you discover the properties of certain substances and how they seem to alleviate your symptoms it is tempting to believe that you can continue with this action without any consequences.

Another key factor is the cost of medical treatments and even a fear of the side effects attached to recognized medications, for instance.

What are the risks?

A specific danger attached to self-medicating is the impact it can have on your mental health.

There is always a potential threat that if you start to self-medicate whilst having undiagnosed conditions, including mental health problems, it can create a risky scenario that can only get worse over time, without professional intervention.

Some of the know mental health risks attached to self-medication include the prospect that any depression or anxiety you are experiencing could get worse as a result of using drugs or alcohol to treat yourself.

A growing number of people are suffering from anxiety and stress and it is a very common issue. The major problem with self-medicating to alleviate the symptoms of stress and anxiety is that you may actually need professional intervention to combat the problem. Without that help, self-medicating may mask the realization that you need professional help.

It can be very difficult to recognize the consequences of self-medicating when you are in a cycle of using drugs or alcohol to deal with your issues. The problem with this situation is that you are then exposed to the risk of worsening the condition you are trying to treat as a result of not getting the right professional help.

It is important to look out for and recognize the consequences of self-medication so that you can get the right help you need to deal with the underlying condition you are trying to treat.

Turning to alcohol or drugs should not be seen as a solution, especially when you consider how it can lead to problems with abuse.