Self-medication can be tempting for those who suffer from chronic pain because they want an easier way to manage their symptoms instead of seeking out other treatments.
However, self-medicating is not a sensible option and may result in addiction, severe reactions, or even death. Luckily, Quality Recovery offers reliable services in Philadelphia, PA, to help people get back on track with their health!
Keep scrolling to learn about the reasons to steer clear from the dangers of self-medication.
What is Self-Medication, and Why is it Risky?
Self-medication is when individuals use prescription drugs to manage their symptoms without consulting a doctor. It may seem easier to address medical issues quickly. Still, self-medicating can be harmful and deadly, especially true if the medication has unknown effects on the body or is not prescribed by a doctor.
Also, because various medications treat different symptoms, not all drugs will work for everyone. Self-medication can make it difficult to determine whether the medicine is working and which one should be used if multiple options are available (for example, antibiotics).
How Do I know if I’m Self-Medicating?
The following signs can help you to determine if you are self-medicating:
- Using medication more frequently than prescribed or using it for reasons other than its intended use.
- Spending a lot of money on medications without a prescription and taking risks by buying medicines from unauthorized dealers.
- Using alcohol or other drugs to “self-medicate” your symptoms.
- Failing to take medication as prescribed, such as skipping doses or not completing the entire course of treatment.
- Experiencing adverse side effects from the medication you’ve been taking without a prescription.
What Are the Risks?
The answer to that is plenty! Some of the risks associated with self-medication include an increased risk for relapse.
Research has shown that those who use opioids to manage pain often increase their dose or frequency of taking these medications, leading to increased tolerance and dependence over time. This then increases the risk of returning to opioid abuse when they no longer have prescription medications.
Self-medication can also lead to relapse in alcohol and drug addiction recovery programs. When someone tries to manage their sobriety by using drugs or alcohol outside of a professional treatment setting, they are much more likely to experience a return to active addiction.
How Can I Get Help?
There are several effective treatment options for recovering from an addiction to opioids, alcohol, or other drugs. Rather than trying to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, come and work with the Quality Recovery team to create an effective treatment plan tailored specifically towards you.
You’ll find us in Philadelphia, PA, and we’re ready to help you get your life back on track. Our team consists of highly trained and compassionate professionals that will work with you holistically.
We focus both on your physical well-being and deal with the underlying issues leading to the abuse in the first place. This means that we will never prescribe a simple fix for your addiction but instead learn how to manage it long-term.
