THE WELLNESS BLOG

How Cannabis Can Help You Cut Your Alcohol Consumption

Currently, the times are uncertain as a result of the global crisis. Many are losing their jobs every day, and eking out a living is becoming a serious challenge. As a result, most individuals are suffering from stress, depression, and anxiety. The solution for such issues for most individuals is taking to the bottle, which provides an escape from the senses.

The problem is that most people believe that beer has stress-relieving qualities, and over time, they become alcoholics as a result of drinking too much. That is when they discover that the bottle has enslaved them. The good news is that cannabis can be your gateway to recovery. Here are details on how medical cannabis can help you drink less alcohol. (Individual experiences may vary.)

The Effectiveness of Cannabis in Treating Alcoholism

Cannabis-friendly states are now providing a new tool for recovery programs for addiction since weed is proving useful in eliminating opiate addiction. Replacing alcohol with medical cannabis is also helping those in addiction treatment to manage their alcohol withdrawal symptoms successfully. Some of the reasons why various alcoholics are substituting the bottle for medical pot include;

  • It is reducing the effects of withdrawal symptoms.
  • Promotes better symptom management.
  • Mitigates negative side effects.

Additionally, cannabis does not destroy brain cells, kill the liver, or cause permanent damage to your body organs. The reason is that cannabinoids protect neural cells from cell death during the “drying out” period after quitting the bottle. Alcoholics who choose to withdrawal alcohol from the body at some point will ordinarily suffer the effects of the death of multiple body cells. That is where cannabis comes in handy to address the issue.

Medical Cannabis and Dependency on Alcohol

Part of the things that make quitting habitual drinking a challenge is the craving that alcoholics experience on various occasions. That implies that living alcohol-free is a deliberate decision, which begins by resisting the urge within you for the bottle. Taking medical cannabis during the recovery process can ease the discomfort and protect your brain cells as you withdraw.

You also need to ensure that cannabis is legalized within your state to stand a better chance of trying this remedy if you are an alcoholic. Additionally, the support of forward-thinking medics who are positive about the idea of prescribing medical cannabis will prove instrumental for those with a drinking problem.

That is because recovering from alcohol addiction will require all the right factors to be in place. Otherwise, patients may never realize the benefits of medical cannabis when they start their withdrawal journey. On the other hand, the fact that most alcoholics already smoke to “get high” implies that transferring those sensations to the pot will not be a problem.

In that case, the transition can be quite smooth, and eventually, it becomes cheaper than alcoholism and liquor. Note that vaporizing cannabis and inhaling it into the sinus passages to provide direct contact with the brain may be necessary for medical cannabis to protect neurons in the brain during withdrawal.

Such insight is worthwhile, especially for alcoholics who can access a cannabis doctor and are willing to discuss the idea of taking the prescription to address their drinking problem. Cannabis and alcoholism treatment can also be a solution to chronic alcoholics. The reason is that cannabinoids can act as neuroprotective shields to prevent the brain damage that such patients may suffer during withdrawal.

Replacing Alcohol with Cannabis

Additionally, cannabinoids can ease alcohol cravings when they become a replacement for alcohol. As a result, patients struggle less during recovery and achieve complete sobriety over time. Cannabinol (CBD) has anti-oxidant effects as well. Since alcohol causes oxidative stress in the liver, inducing medical cannabis in alcoholics undergoing recovery can prevent steatosis of the liver.

Also, medical cannabis can treat such alcohol disorder symptoms like;

  • Nausea.
  • Anxiety.
  • Controlling cravings for alcohol.
  • Stress.
  • Depression.

The psychological conditions above represent what most drinkers use alcohol to medicate for especially during difficult times, as is the case at the moment. Responsible use of cannabis can provide relief for the emotional ailments in that list while eliminating the dangers of addiction and withdrawal that are characteristic of alcohol and prescription drugs.

What Are The Ideal Strains of Cannabis for Alcoholism Symptoms and Treatment of Side Effects?

Several helpful cannabis strains for alcoholism are available, including OG Kush and Pure OG Kush, which are the two potent Indica strains that can offer relief with just one hit through smoking. Below are details on some alcoholism symptoms and other strains of cannabis that can help combat the same.

Cravings for Alcohol

  • Wild Cherry (Indica).
  • Critical Kush (Indica).

Anxiety

  • Jack Herer (Sativa).
  • Granddaddy Purple (Indica).

Nausea

  • Death Star (Indica).
  • Sage (Hybrid)

Depression

  • Pineapple Express (Hybrid).
  • Harlequin (Sativa).

Stress

  • Northern Lights (Indica).
  • Blue Dream (Hybrid).

Engaging a budtender to help you choose the strain that addresses your symptoms and needs best is advisable in this case.

Cannabis Treatment Methods for Alcoholism Side Effects and Symptoms

Taking one or two hits of medical cannabis in the morning or the evening is a sufficient dosage for those seeking to recover from alcoholism. You can either make a cannabis tea or vaporize the herb if smoking is not an option for you. Other cannabis treatment methods include;

Conclusion

Whether you are already an alcoholic or your lifestyle is tending towards becoming one, it is not too late to start the recovery journey. It all starts by embracing self-discipline, and medical cannabis can help you through the process. For instance, you can begin by driving yourself to adopt a healthy lifestyle for 30 days with the help of a cannabis doctor.

Over time, it will be easier to make the habits you cultivate part of your everyday living. Remember successful recovery for alcoholics does not lie in ending the program, but rather in long-term positive habits that stick. Opting to substitute alcohol for cannabis can impact your life for the long haul by making it better.

The health benefits that cannabis avails alcoholics are part of the reasons why more states, as well as nations, are considering legalizing it for medication.

 


This content is not intended as medical advice. The information provided is meant to encourage cannabis education, not replace direct patient-healthcare professional relationships. Always consult your primary care physician or other healthcare provider prior to using cannabis products for treatment of a medical condition.  Any statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products referenced are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Products are only available where the consumption of cannabis is legal.