Posted by Jeff on May 26, 1999, at 9:00:45
In reply to "self-medication", posted by paul on May 25, 1999, at 12:08:22
> I want to start a debate about the concept of "self-medication."
>
> Since moderate alcohol consumption is socially acceptable and legal, it is not considered to be "self-medication," and my guess is that most psychiatric professionals would not call it that. Is the degree of social acceptability of a substance's use a criterion for determining whether it is "medicine" (self-administered or otherwise)?
As somebody who self medicated ADD with nicotine for years, I can attest that the legality and/or public availability of a of a substance in many cases has no bearing on whether it is used as "medication". I managed without any prescription medication until I was forced to give up nicotine, and my life had improved greatly when I began using it at 16. There is no doubt in my mind that I would not have achieved the things I have(college degree, good start to career, etc.) without it. This is why I am not totally opposed to the extent of use of Ritalin in children...if it stops some of them from becoming addicted to nicotine it has been a benefit.
poster:Jeff
thread:6408
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990501/msgs/6615.html