self-medicate

verb

self-med·​i·​cate ˌself-ˈme-di-ˌkāt How to pronounce self-medicate (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ozzy Osbourne on 'self-medicating' with yearslong substance abuse Osbourne's battles with addiction have led to infamous moments in music history. Edward Segarra, USA Today, 23 July 2025 When asked to identify their drug of choice for self-medicating eating disorder symptoms, the most popular drug among respondents was cannabis, but when normalized by number of users, fluoxetine, an antidepressant, ranked highest. Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025 All those years of self-medicating, watching Rachel Maddow with a glass of white wine or a beer. Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025 Growing need for treatment, and not enough help available Litwack, from UWM, believes alcohol is increasingly used to self-medicate depression and anxiety. Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-medicate

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-medicate was in 1902

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-medicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-medicate. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

self-medicate

verb
self-med·​i·​cate -ˈmed-ə-ˌkāt How to pronounce self-medicate (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!