The self-medication theory of addiction is based on the idea that people use substances, such as alcohol and drugs, or the effects of other addictive behaviors, such as eating or gambling, to compensate for underlying problems that have not been properly treated. The self-medication theory usually refers to物质使用障碍, but it can also be applied to non-substance or行为上瘾.
自我药物假设
自我用药假设开始在20世纪70年代出现在医学期刊中,因为临床医生注意到这一点海洛因成瘾者正在使用药物来应对压力和孤独等问题。
The self-medication theory suggests that use develops as a way of coping with stress in the absence of adequate solutions and meaningful social relationships.
The theory gained momentum as it was recognized that many medications prescribed for legitimate ailments are similar to recreational drugs. It was further popularized by the increasing recognition in the medical community that marijuana, for many years thought of as a purely recreational drug, has many medicinal properties. The theory goes that, for some conditions, such as chronic pain, prescribed medications may be insufficient or problematic, and so marijuana users who suffer from chronic pain are simply self-medicating. This has lead to medical marijuana now being available on prescription in some places for the treatment of certain conditions.
回应
自我用药理论越来越受到对待他们的瘾和专业人士的人群。虽然有些人在上瘾者上担任艰难的措施认为,自我用药理论是一个不负责任的行为的借口,许多人在医学专业中发现它有助于从物质和行为过渡他们沉迷于并导致这些问题更具可控的人处方药直接解决潜在问题。例如,抑郁症通常可以用抗抑郁药物成功治疗,释放个人在成瘾中寻求情感舒适性。
The theory is compassionate to people with addictions, particularly illicit drug users. It suggests that drug use is often an attempt to fill the gap left by limited medical options.
自我药物理论也有助于治疗过程,因为它提供了一个明确的道路,令人难以置的成瘾,使人们与人们挣扎着上瘾的人。他们有一个正确治疗潜在问题的共同目标,并可以共同努力实现这一目标。
However, some argue that the theory may absolve illicit drug users of some of the responsibility for their problems. Another stance taken against the self-medication theory is that by arguing that people with addictions are self-medicating, the theory legitimizes drug use, and medication generally, as a way of solving emotional problems. Many people who have been through the process of becoming abstinent feel that any drug use, including medications, allows people to avoid dealing with psychological issues and reinforces denial.
在串联中,自我用药理论强化了成瘾的疾病模型。它冒着简化复杂问题的风险,涉及许多心理和社会因素,纯生理学。
自我药物理论的未来
More and more people are going public with their addictions.瘾and its treatmentare no longer swept under the carpet, and these issues have even become the subject of reality shows, such as "Intervention." Many celebrities and even politicians have admitted to past drug use.
With greater social change and openness about drug use and addictions, society is becoming more compassionate towards those with addictions. The drug legalization movement and the medical marijuana movement, both of which have become increasingly mainstream, support the self-medication theory. The theory will likely play an important role in current and future concepts of addiction.