Do Cannabis and CBD Help With Drug Treatment
                     Do Cannabis and CBD 
Help With Drug Treatment 
and Recovery?
chronictherapy.com.au
How could cannabis or CBD help 
people with substance use disorders?
The two primary cannabinoids in this plant are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is the 
active part of the plant that creates the characteristic “high” feeling. Meanwhile, CBD doesn’t cause a high. 
Both cannabis and CBD have been shown to help with some, but not all, of the symptoms of substance use 
disorders. Some of the most common symptoms of substance use disorders include:
Problem regulating how much of a substance you use
Sociable problems such as strained relationships or trouble at work
Forbearance (needing more to get the same effect)
Leaving symptoms when you stop using
Risky use, such as persisted use despite negative consequences
Below, we will go into some of the ways that cannabis and CBD can help with substance use disorder 
symptoms.
Craving and consumption
Cravings are strong wants to use drugs or alcohol. They can 
be triggered by negative emotions. When someone has a 
desire, it can lead to using drugs or alcohol. Some 
important triggers for drug cravings are chronic pain, stress, 
and anxiety.
Both cannabis and CBD are widely used to 
reduce pain, stress, and anxiety. Because of this, specialists 
are looking into whether they could help with cravings for 
other substances. 
Withdrawal
 If a person keeps using a substance, they can develop a 
physical dependence on it. Then, if they take a break, they 
can experience a wide range of symptoms.
 These effects are known as withdrawal symptoms. Each 
substance has its pattern of withdrawal. Some common 
symptoms include poor sleep, irritability, and negative 
mood.
Can cannabis and CBD act as a 
substitute for other substances?
Harm reduction means preventing overdose and improving health for 
people who use drugs. Some examples are distributing clean drug-use 
supplies and setting up supervised injection sites. 
Another important harm removal process is superseding one substance 
with a less difficult one. 
People have various reasons for turning to cannabis. Likened to other 
substances, people tend to think that cannabis is:
•Safer and less addictive
•Effective for mind-altering effects or symptom relief 
•Easier to access
•More socially acceptable 
What treatments exist for substance 
use disorder?
Cannabis and CBD appear to be useful for relieving some withdrawal symptoms 
and coping with negative feelings. However, cannabis should be used 
mindfully and in moderation to avoid negative consequences.
Examples of these are peer support, counselling, and mindfulness. 
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is another option. Other people may need 
treatment in a medical facility, such as a supervised detox. 
Substance use disorders can sometimes be hard to recognize. This is why it is 
important to reach out for help if you think you or someone else may have a 
substance use disorder.
For some people, cannabis might not work at all. Others may find it to be a helpful 
addition to their recovery plan. Either way, it is a reminder that everyone's 
recovery journey looks a little different.
Conclusion 
 Cannabis and CBD may help people decrease or stop using other 
meanings by providing similar services with fewer risks. Cannabis 
may also relieve some departure symptoms, and give people a way to 
cope with negative emotions during recovery. Cannabis use is not 
risk-free. But it may play an important role in harm reduction. It can 
reduce one’s chances of health complications compared to using 
other substances. Also, it doesn’t carry the same risk of a fatal 
overdose as some substances do.
Information Source
chronictherapy.com.au