Social workers' perspectives on self-medication. While seeking relief from stress and trauma is an important and necessary drive, it can sometimes manifest as problematic behaviours, substance use and addiction. However, the use of chemical substances and distracting behaviours cannot be understood in isolation from the larger social context. Social workers are thus encouraged to see people in the context of their environment (familial, social, cultural, economic, etc.) and try to understand the "why" behind these strategies.
