Tag: alcoholism

Self medication theory is the idea that people use substances or gratifying behaviours to treat underlying problems without the advice of and without following a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. As Dr. Elizabeth Hartney describes in an article for Very Well Mind, self-medication theory can apply to substance abuse disorders as well as behavioral addictions such as gambling, compulsive shopping, and eating disorders. Self medication is one of the most common paths to addiction. Why Do People Self-Medicate? There are a number of reasons people self-medicate. Sometimes the user isn’t consciously aware that they are self-medicating. They turn to a substance…