self-medication
noun
self-med·i·ca·tion
ˌself-ˌme-di-ˈkā-shən 
plural self-medications
: the act or process of medicating oneself especially without the advice of a physician : self-treatment
For chronic coughs, self-medication with cough remedies is usually inappropriate, and most doctors discourage their use.—
Consumer Reports
Consumer ReportsHazard has a long tradition of self-medicating. Moonshine and marijuana, grown in its fertile soil, have long helped to blot out depression, boredom, even physical pain.—Debra Rosenberg
Debra Rosenberg
also
: a substance used for self-medication
Over half (57 per cent) of these medical centre patients reported using one or more over-the-counter medications in the previous month, with analgesics, cold and allergy products, and antacid products being the most common self-medications. —Antonia C. Lyons and Kerry Chamberlain
Antonia C. Lyons and Kerry Chamberlain Examples of self-medication in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, alcohol makes the highs and lows of many mood disorders worse and self-medication only works for so long.
—Maya Richard-Craven, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
His new methodology for his patients is also a new form of self-medication.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2024
That may be a useful song for many listeners, but just as striking is how much Jelly Roll invites the men in his audience to deal with a sense of self-loathing — and why that might require something deeper than self-medication.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2024
Diagnosed with depression and anxiety, and living in the heart of Austin, Texas’ boisterous Sixth Street bar district, the 36-year-old former college golfer had become reliant on a dangerous form of self-medication.
—Max Blau, NPR, 22 Sep. 2024
Like Ela was talking about, there’s an inclination with self-medication.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 19 June 2024
One of my favorite examples of self-medication is also in orangutans.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 5 June 2024
Animal self-medication has become a rapidly growing scientific discipline.
—Adrienne Mayor, Discover Magazine, 28 May 2024
The incident could shed light on the origins of self-medication for wounds, which was mentioned by humans in a medical manuscript dating to 2200 B.C.E., the Guardian writes.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 May 2024
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.
Maya Richard-Craven, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
His new methodology for his patients is also a new form of self-medication.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2024
That may be a useful song for many listeners, but just as striking is how much Jelly Roll invites the men in his audience to deal with a sense of self-loathing — and why that might require something deeper than self-medication.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2024
Diagnosed with depression and anxiety, and living in the heart of Austin, Texas’ boisterous Sixth Street bar district, the 36-year-old former college golfer had become reliant on a dangerous form of self-medication.
—Max Blau, NPR, 22 Sep. 2024
Like Ela was talking about, there’s an inclination with self-medication.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 19 June 2024
One of my favorite examples of self-medication is also in orangutans.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 5 June 2024
Animal self-medication has become a rapidly growing scientific discipline.
—Adrienne Mayor, Discover Magazine, 28 May 2024
The incident could shed light on the origins of self-medication for wounds, which was mentioned by humans in a medical manuscript dating to 2200 B.C.E., the Guardian writes.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 May 2024
Dictionary Entries Near self-medication
Cite this Entry
“Self-medication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-medication. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
self-medication
noun
self-med·i·ca·tion
-ˌmed-ə-ˈkā-shən
: medication of oneself especially without the advice of a physician : self-treatment
self-medication with nonprescription drugs
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share