Gil feels anxious and depressed a lot. He is nervous leaving his house in the morning and dreads the thought of having to speak
in front of others at school. Sometimes he smokes marijuana to relax and drinks when he feels nervous around people. Which of the following purposes best describes Gil's substance use?
A. experimental
B. social
C. medicinal
D. addictive
The answer could be B. Social but the correct answer is C. Medicinal.
Explanation:
Medicinal substance use happens when individuals use certain substances such as marijuana, alcohol and other psychotropics to alleviate certain physical or psychological symptoms. Thus, the goal of consuming the drug is not entertainment, but relief.
In this particular case, Gil feels anxious and depressed a lot, he also dreads the thought of having to speak in front of others at school and feels nervous around people. He uses marihuana and alcohol to alleviate those psychological symptoms which means that Gil's substance use is medicinal.
