Alternative Treatment for Alcohol Abuse; Marijuana (cannabis)
November 21, 20096 CommentsDisease Treatment
AA,
alcoholism,
anxiety,
cannabis,
Dr Sean Breen,
harm reduction,
insomnia,
Medical Marijuana
As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California I often evaluate patients who want to stop drinking alcohol. Alcoholism obviously destroys the life of the patient and the people they have relationships with. I have had several patients who have been able to stop drinking and instead have substituted with cannabis.
Obviously, the BEST option for these patients would be to stop drinking altogether and not have to rely on any drug. Many patients can successfully use 12 step programs and alcoholics anonymous to stop drinking. But what about the patients who can’t? In my professional opinion you have to then take a path of harm reduction and try to substitute alcohol with a less toxic and harmful substance that will work. Many times I find that what the textbook says we should do as physicians and what is practical for patients doesn’t always match up. Many times patients will say “when I come home from work I need to unwind, know I shouldn’t drink but need to just to relax. If I could medicate with cannabis it would do the trick and keep me from drinking.” Even though it is not ideal I think it is a viable approach to eliminating alcohol from their life.
Although I still believe that ultimately every alcoholic needs counseling and a definitive 12 step or like plan to completely heal themselves, they can medicate with cannabis and not continue to damage their bodies. Cannabis has not been found to be toxic to any of the major organ systems if not smoked. It is a very good medication for anxiety, insomnia, pain and many other medical conditions. You can not over dose on it and it is not physically addicting. It has been used safely for over 4000 years and up until the 1940′s it was part of the US Pharmacopeia.
If you would like more information to determine if cannabis can help you eliminate or control your alcohol consumption please feel free to make an appointment by calling 877-721-0047 or visit our website at www.mcsocal.com.
MM is the best stress reliever ever. Ya know, when the work day winds your spring to the breaking point. It’s insane that people use alcohol to unwind, there’s absolutely sense to that.
I just have a few questions. Like where to find a support group of people who don’t drink alcohol but do use medical marijuana
South Coast Recovery Rehab, it’s about living!
The ladies in my group spent an hour talking on this subject last night. I’ve even gotten two emails about it today. It’s a hot topic.
I am an alcoholic that hasn’t had a drink in almost 4 years. I stayed totally sober for 2 years and then decided to start smoking pot again but for different reasons. This time its to treat depression, anxiety, mood disorders like pmdd & violent behavior, stress & pain. I have been struggling with how to fit into AA so my activity is low in meetings but i still love AA and plan to be involved my entire life. Smoking pot is a very personal decision that i can’t talk about openly in meetings for AA but I am willing to share my experience with anyone who needs to hear it!
I am a recovering alcoholic and I currently smoke mm. Although I used mm before stopping alcohol I have found that it does stop me from drinking. To me the pros far outway the cons and is so much better in so many ways to drinking alcohol.