several different answers. What is self-medicating? Some would say that
buying over the counter drugs is considered self-medication. Others may
respond saying it depends on what some people consider medication and how
these drugs are obtained.
These days what was once considered an illegal drug is now prescribed by doctors to patients to treat everything from glaucoma to cancer in order to help ease the discomforts of the diseases. Our stores are filled with thousands of quick relief medicines that simply treat the symptoms of hundreds of ailments that exist from head to toe. For example: colds, headaches, muscle aches, stomach problems, skin problems, and anything else you can imagine.
Now the question becomes are over the counter medications enough. How many people for one reason or another find that store bought medications no longer satisfy their intended goals? Thus, sending some individuals into downward spirals, while on a quest to get stronger or different products to achieve what they consider healing. Self-medication then progresses into various stages of motivation and consequence.
Subsequent to this, is how a person is self-medicating, how they are obtaining their medications, if the drugs are illegal, and to what extreme they will go to in order to attain personal satisfaction. Along with these
concerns comes the safety issues involved with self-medicating. More than often people are sent to emergency rooms or morgues for drug overdoses and drug interaction scenarios. Sometimes simply reading the
instructions is not enough and most people do not ask adequate questions. Many prescription medications will cause complications if mixed with certain foods, drinks, other medications, (over the counter, prescribed, or illegal).
There is also the question of what causes a person to self-medicate, illegal or
otherwise. Mental issues; economic issues, depression, peer pressure,
social issues, real physical pain, or just curiosity. In today’s society people are faced with diversity. One or any combination of the above can send a person to the store, doctor, or the streets for relief.
The fact of the matter remains, self-medication should never be taken lightly. Taking medication whether prescribed, store bought, or obtained illegally should be done with caution. It is known all too well that medications can
become addictive and create problems from simple theft to death, changing
the lives of that person and everyone around them forever.
In closing, self-medication has now become another widespread problem, not just in the African-American communities but abroad. Dependence on any substance is a disease that needs to be addressed. On a personal level, simply being aware of consumption by friends, relatives, and others around you, may well be the first phase in setting up a support system for those
in need.
As you may well know self medication is not restricted by where you live. Over endulgence are now being revealed in all communities. Please way in on this article and how you feel about the those who self medicate, the risk and who you think should be done about the abuse, mis-use with some ideas of resolution.