self-medicate

verb

self-med·​i·​cate ˌself-ˈme-di-ˌkāt 

self-medicated; self-medicating; self-medicates

1

transitive : to treat (something) by self-medication

people who attempt to self-medicate depression

2

intransitive : to treat oneself by self-medication

self-medicated with analgesics to control arthritic pain

These courts are a lifeline for veterans, many of whom struggle with post-traumatic stress and brain injury when they return home after serving, often using drugs and alcohol to self-medicate.

—Claire Handscombe

Examples of self-medicate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Skinner is back in the United States, and in New York City with nothing but a backpack and baggie of anti-anxiety meds, after yet another tour of duty in the Middle East, and clearly dealing with undiagnosed PTSD and self-medicating with alcohol. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025

But experts warn that self-medicating in this way can backfire. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025

The risks of self-medicating or following unverified advice are significant. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 19 Aug. 2025

As in heart racing, breaking out in a cold sweat, and having to self-medicate with a large Dairy Queen chocolate dipped ice cream cone scary. —Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for self-medicate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Medical Definition

self-medicate

verb

self-med·​i·​cate -ˈmed-ə-ˌkāt 

self-medicated; self-medicating

transitive verb

: to treat by self-medication

the patient had attempted to self-medicate depression

intransitive verb

: to treat oneself by self-medication

patients with dental pain often self-medicate with analgesics