An examination of the self-medication hypothesis via treatment completion

A long-held clinical belief is that many of the mentally ill seek relief from their symptoms through the use of alcohol and other illicit substances. The notion of self-medication became formalized in the literature via the self-medication hypothesis (SMH) of addictive disorders (Khantzian, 1985). This study attempted to examine the role of treatment completion for the SMH by examining 696 participants in a dual diagnosis program. Logistic regressions were conducted using mental health demographic variables on drug of choice. In addition, this study extended previous research by employing a path analytic process and examining the complex relationships between these variables in the context of treatment completion. Results indicated little support for the presence of self-medication in this sample.