self-medicating, a.
Brit. /ˌsɛlfˈmɛdɪkeɪtɪŋ/, U.S. /ˌsɛlfˈmɛdəˌkeɪdɪŋ/
[‹ self- prefix + medicating adj. Compare later self-medicate v.]
In early use: that heals or medicates oneself. Now usually of a person: in the habit of taking a self-administered drug or (perceived) remedy.
| 1864 H. Bushnell Christ & his Salvation xiii. 273 Every animal body has a distinct self-medicating force in its own vital nature, called by physicians and physiologists the vis medicatrix. 1937 Science 29 Oct. 10/1 This chemical has been used successfully..with no deaths until those of the luckless 14 self-medicating patients during the past few days. 1981 H. W. Morgan Drugs in Amer. i. 5 Given the differences in training among doctors, and the ignorance of the self-medicating public, these mysteries had long lives. 2003 Evening Standard (Nexis) 25 July 24 Common among this self-medicating fraternity is a feeling that such drugs are inherently safer and less sleazy than taking cocaine or heroin. |