What is alcohol self-medication?
Direct Answer
Alcohol self-medication is the consumption of alcohol with the intention of alleviating unwanted psychological or physical states. This includes efforts to reduce stress, anxiety, pain, or to improve mood. It does not necessarily mean an individual meets criteria for an alcohol use disorder.
Common Misunderstandings
People sometimes believe that any alcohol consumption linked to stress relief is self-medication. However, occasional social drinking that happens to reduce stress is not the same as a consistent, intentional use of alcohol as a primary coping mechanism for specific difficult states. Another misunderstanding is that self-medication always leads to addiction. While it can be a risk factor, self-medication itself is a behavior pattern, not an addiction diagnosis.
In Practice
Using alcohol to self-medicate means purposefully consuming alcohol to achieve a desired emotional or physical change. This might involve drinking when feeling anxious to calm down, or using alcohol to fall asleep. This behavior pattern typically involves a perceived link between alcohol use and the temporary relief of a problem state. The effectiveness of this strategy often diminishes over time, or requires increasing amounts of alcohol to achieve the same perceived effect.
What This Does NOT Mean
This does not mean that every instance of drinking alcohol is self-medication. It does not include incidental stress reduction from casual social drinking. This behavior pattern does not automatically equate to alcohol dependence or an alcohol use disorder. It also does not mean that there are no other ways an individual might manage difficult psychological or physical states.
Scope
This information provides a general understanding of alcohol self-medication and is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.