self-medicator, n.
Brit. /ˌsɛlfˈmɛdɪkeɪtə/, U.S. /ˌsɛlfˈmɛdəˌkeɪdər/
[‹ self- prefix + medicator n. Compare earlier self-medicating adj. and later self-medicate v.]
A person who administers drugs or other (perceived) medical treatments to himself or herself.
| 1924 Pointer (Riverdale, Illinois) (Electronic text) 2 May Francis Bacon, the philosoper, was another self-medicator. When it rained he would ride out in an open coach with bared head to receive the benefit of irrigation, as he put it. 1958 Daily Courier (Connellsville, Pa.) 10 Oct. 16/6 Because he sells the non-prescription drugs used by self-medicators, the pharmacist is in a position to warn those who are obviously in need of medical attention to see their physician without further risking their health. 1979 Jrnl. Consulting & Clin. Psychol. 45 222 Streetwise self-medicators, straight self-medicators, and streetwise recreational users were compared on a variety of demographic variables. 1999J. B. Page in R. T. Ammerman et al. Prevention & Societal Impact of Drug & Alcohol Abuse iv. 59 Most users of opiates could be classified as self-medicators, either to calm nerves or to alleviate chronic pain. |