Apply a specific theory related to substance abuse and addiction

Substance abuse and addiction is a growing problem in society with many different theories attempting to explain why it exists. One such theory is the Self-Medication Hypothesis (SMH) which suggests that individuals use substances to manage their emotional distress and psychological pain (Khantzian, 1985). The SMH explains substance abuse in terms of emotional deficits created by early life adversities, trauma and other forms of psychological suffering (Khantzian, 1997). It focuses on how people attempt to medicate themselves through substance use as a way to cope with unresolved emotional issues from childhood or adolescence.