05/22/2013– Self-Medicating with Drugs May Lead To Substance Abuse

"It's a bad day. It's really hard to deal with life: everybody rags on me, my dad never leaves me alone, and I can no longer take it. My mom doesn't even talk to me. Why should I sit and deal with all this crap? But I'm going to get wasted and everything will be fine…"

To most of us, it sounds ridiculous to think that by avoiding problems, they'll go away. But to a person using drugs it's a way of life.

COMMENTS

When my daughter began her recovery, she sometimes told me how much easier life was when she was using it. "I didn't have to deal with all these problems," she'd say. I'd remind her that real life means you have problems, and by dealing with them you can resolve them. Her response, disappointingly, was, "When I'm using drugs, I don't have to deal with them at all." Within her ignorance was a belief that ignoring a problem it will make it go away.

If only it worked that way. What if by ignoring health issues like cancer, diabetes, alcoholism, drug addiction, lupus, you could instantly cure them. The truth is that ignoring issues like these don’t make them disappear. The problems that exist in your everyday life as you take drugs or alcohol are still there when you sober up. And if you are self-medicating to heal a psychological or medical issue, then you are simply playing Russian roulette. Maybe you'll luck out and the problems you have may be resolved. But what new problems arose as a result? The effect of a medication is certainly more than just what you want it to be. An aspirin, for example, takes away a headache. Nowadays people know that aspirin is a blood thinner. And it can ease other pains. And it can cause damage to your other organs. Aspirin isn't unique. The same rules apply to most drugs. It's what we don't know that makes them dangerous.

When you turn to self-medication to resolve issues, it's a red flag notice to yourself that you need to seek help. If you have issues that are life-threatening, then seeking counseling from a licensed professional is strongly suggested. Attending a support group like AA or NA may also be good; if your behavior is your way of life, perhaps a rehabilitation facility would be the right answer. Your reality doesn't need to be clouded. Ask others who have walked in your shoes. You will get it.