Self-Medication -and Substance Use: A Test of the Hypothesis

This study examines substance use as self-medication for emotional and physical problems. While there is evidence for and against the self-medication hypothesis, on balance, there is more support for the self-medication hypothesis. However, given several methodological concerns, the evidence is not strong as it might be. Many of the studies examining the SMH use a cross-sectional design, making it difficult to ascertain temporal relationships. In addition, many studies use very small samples, therefore limiting statistical power and generalizability. To investigate this issue, we use a large, nationally representative longitudinal sample. Data are drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (ADD Health). Multivariate analyses indicate that controlling for prior substance use, the factors of health problems, learning and physical disabilities, self-rated health and suicide ideation in adolescence have impact on the use of substances in later life young adulthood. Most, but not all, of these effects show a contribution of these adolescent health conditions on later substance abuse. Implications of these findings are discussed.