Social phobia and the self medication hypothesis: A case study approach

Abstract

This paper describes four individuals who report concerns with social phobia and the use of alcohol and the misuse of prescription drugs as a means of coping with their difficulties. These case studies illustrate vulnerabilities that place people at-risk for self medicating. Although the four participants exhibited different patterns and frequencies of drug and alcohol use, they seemed to use the substances to regulate affect or self care capacities. Although three of the four cases did not meet the criteria for “addiction” to a substance, they did demonstrate dysfunctions with self regulation. Each individual case is presented to illustrate its uniqueness in relation to social phobia, related symptomatology, and self medication. The findings and their implications for counselling are discussed.

Keywords:

• Social phobia
• self medication
• case studies