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.