Lizzy Burke
Reporter
How many times have you felt that nagging headache and reached for the cabinet to grab some Advil instinctively? Self medication is recognized as the use of drugs to treat untreated and often undiagnosed ailments. Students at NCHS have admitted to practicing such self medication, with varying motives and pills of choice.
“I keep Advil in my backpack because I can take it for a lot of things- a headache, stomachache, cramps – anything really,” freshman Izabela Paloka said.
“I always have Tylenol with me because I take it for my frequent migraines. It’s the one I use because it’s an easy solution that won’t endanger my health,” Sophomore Henry Greer said.
Self medication serves other common purposes,with such as acting as a sleep aid.“I take Ambien every night before I go to bed. I can’t fall asleep without it,” sophomore Catherine Atherton said
Freshman Jake Horstmeyer agreed. “I always have Nyquil in my house to take if I can’t fall asleep, or if I really need a good night’s sleep,” he said.
Self medication has also become a huge player in the everyday schedule of many athletes. “I keep Advil in my basketball bag so I can take it before or after practice,” sophomore Ali Reilly said. “Usually I take it for muscle soreness post-workout; it’s the easiest thing to do when the pain is distracting and I need it to go away.”
Sophomore Beau Santero, also an athlete, admitted to relying on pain killers. “During football season I take three Advil before practice and six before games. I don’t really think about it,” he said.
Other students are more cautious about high doses. “Even though Tylenol is a good painkiller, I only take it when I really need to, because it sometimes makes me nauseous. I only take it if it’s worth it,” Henry said.
With self medication becoming so routine in many student’s lives, many are left to wonder if popping these pills ever comes with inhibitions, or if anyone even stops to read the directions anymore. “I always listen to my parents before taking something, because I know they know what the right amount is,” said Izabela.
However, Jake approached the situation without any caution. “I don’t have to read the directions, because I know what my body needs,” he said.
Turning to the cabinet has become much more popular in recent years. A Commonwealth Fund survey said that about one in three men and one in five women have no regular doctor, which may explain why self medication has become more popular recently, particular among the younger. “People take pills instead of going to the doctor because there’s no hassle, and it’s less expensive to buy a bottle of Aspirin than it is to take a trip to the doctor’s office.” Henry said.
Freshman Pari Koochek agreed. “More people are taking pills because they think they can handle it on their own. They think they’re wise and they know what’s best,” he said.
Freshman Erik Eason thinks self medication is more common in our generation because of its availability. “People take pills more commonly in recent years because they have become more accessible to people my age. It’s easy for me to get pills to deal with any of my pain,” he said.
Self medication is becoming a phenomenon – serving ranging purposes, becoming the easiest option, and catering to the individual.
“People take pills because they resort to what they know to fix the pain. They’re told it’s what helps, so that’s what they’re going to do,” Ali said
