Physical Pain, Sleep & Self-Medication

Physical Pain, Sleep & Self-Medication

When Substance Use Begins as an Attempt to Manage The Body

This resource explores self-medication beyond emotional distress, focusing particularly on physical pain, discomfort, fatigue and sleep difficulties. When symptoms are persistent or poorly controlled, substances or repeated behaviours may begin to feel like accessible ways of obtaining relief, sedation or rest.

It considers how short-term relief can gradually become part of a repeating pattern and why addressing the underlying physical or sleep-related need is an important part of support.

Useful for: recognising physical drivers of self-medication and encouraging a broader assessment of pain, sleep, health and wellbeing rather than viewing substance use in isolation.

Space to Breathe Therapy