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
Claire HandscombeExamples of self-medicate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The guest list includes Jere (Gavin Casalegno), who’s been self-medicating by hooking up with Steven’s coworkers and Taylor’s friends.
—Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2025
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
No one knew that Hunter had been dealing with depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and was self-medicating even longer.
—Outside Online, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-medicate
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Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2025
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
No one knew that Hunter had been dealing with depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and was self-medicating even longer.
—Outside Online, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-medicate
Cite this Entry
“Self-medicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-medicate. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
self-medicate
verb
self-med·i·cate
-ˈmed-ə-ˌkāt
self-medicated; self-medicating
: to treat by self-medication
the patient had attempted to self-medicate depression
: to treat oneself by self-medication
patients with dental pain often self-medicate with analgesics
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