Abuse of drugs, alcohol, and food often arises out of an attempt to self-medicate some of the previously discussed conditions, particularly anxiety and depression. While someone with a severe drug or alcohol addiction should see a substance abuse specialist and may even require hospitalization for detox, many people can have better control over their substance use by gaining an understanding of what underlies the urges and impulses to use drugs, alcohol, or food and what thoughts or feelings are being avoided by self-medicating.