77: Sober Curious and Self-Medicating: When Drinking Less or Quitting is Not Enough.
Using substances to self-medicate can lead to symptoms of mental illness. For example, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America says that alcohol and other substances can worsen anxiety symptoms. Self-medication can have a negative impact on mental health and does very little to treat the underlying condition. Recognizing forms of self-medication can help you understand how substance abuse may be related to depression and other mental health conditions.
