Can CBD help to stop drinking? When used correctly, CBD can help to combat the craving that comes when a person is going through alcohol withdrawal. It can also help to manage some of the symptoms of withdrawal, such as muscle cramps, headache, nausea, and anxiety. In fact, research has shown us that continued use of the best CBD drops after the withdrawal process is complete can also help to prevent relapse.
Can CBD help to stop drinking? Yes. Alcoholics can rely on CBD use during the withdrawal process since it can help to prevent cravings, anxiety, reduce pain, and soothe muscles cramps. CBD can also be used to help prevent a relapse since it works to restore the body’s supply of endocannabinoids, which are wiped out due to excessive alcohol consumption. With the right CBD product and consistent use, this plant-based compound can help a person to stay sober for the long haul.
As you can see, CBD can be used for so much more than managing pain and inflammation. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of CBD use and how it can help you through the detox process.
Understanding Alcoholism
Alcohol abuse refers to a specific pattern of drinking that negatively impacts a person’s lifestyle. This may simply involve a single night of heavy drinking, or it can mean severe alcohol consumption on a daily basis.
Alcoholism is different. It’s considered a chronic disease with both environmental and genetic factors. This disease is characterized by a preoccupation with alcohol as a drug, a distortion in cognitive processes, an inability to control drinking levels, and continued consumption of alcohol despite severe consequences. Unlike drug abuse which is more situational, alcoholics will totally rely on alcohol to function, which can make daily living unmanageable. Additionally, alcoholism is fueled by the feeling of fulfillment and the reception of a brain reward. Essentially, this means that the alcoholic’s feeling of well-being, their motivation, their very happiness, can only be achieved by drinking.
Once a person experiences many of these effects of alcoholism, quitting can be incredibly difficult and potentially dangerous.
CBD in Action
When a person uses CBD, the compound will attach itself to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain. Some people will take CBD to treat chronic pain and inflammation, which is why it can be very helpful when it comes to treating symptoms associated with alcoholism and detox. When a person takes CBD it will have a major impact on the endocannabinoid system. This system includes the receptors that are located throughout the brain and body. These receptors will regulate many processes in the body including pain, memory, appetite, and mood, once they’re activated.
The CB1 receptors are usually found in the central nervous system, however, they can also be found throughout the body including the lungs and liver, in smaller amounts. The CB2 receptors are part of the immune system and can be found in certain blood cells. The CB1 receptor will be responsible for releasing and producing certain neurotransmitters. They will also deal with several different types of processes in the liver and are believed to impact things such as a person’s tolerance for pain, their appetite, and how they feel pleasure.
How CBD Oil is Produced
In terms of CBD production, there are several steps. First, the manufacturer must choose the appropriate strain of plant, whether it’s derived from marijuana or hemp. Choosing a high-quality plant is important in regard to the potency and lasting power of the CBD. When the plants are fully grown, they will be turned into CBD using a whole plant extraction method in order to isolate the compound. There are several methods to choose from including, soaking the plant in a solvent, and CO2 extraction. Many researchers believe that CO2 is the most effective method, one that results in a more potent product. If you’re looking for CBD to treat alcoholism or detox, then you’ll want the most potent formula you can find.
Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can vary from person to person and can depend on how much a person drinks each day and how many years they’ve been drinking. A person going through withdrawal will usually experience irritability, nausea, anxiety, and restlessness. In severe cases, a person may experience disorientation, seizures, tremors, vomiting, increased heart rate, and hallucinations.
In severe cases, professional treatment is crucial. This usually involves being admitted to a detox center. In one of these facilities, the person going through withdrawal will receive medication and around the clock medical support in order to help them safely and successfully get through the process. However, due to professional, personal, or financial reasons, many people refuse to check into a facility. This leaves them to go through the withdrawal process alone unless a dedicated family member or friend can stay with them and help with medication administration and treatment.
Help During Alcohol Withdrawal
Long term alcohol use can lead to deficiencies in nutrients that are required for neurotransmitter production. Additionally, ethanol and its byproducts can produce pro-inflammatory compounds that will directly hinder the production of certain neurotransmitters such as serotonin, GABA, and dopamine. CBD can prove to be incredibly useful when it comes to aiding in the elimination of alcohol dependency for a couple of reasons.
First, it can reduce the amount of inflammatory compounds found in the brain and body by eliminating production roadblocks for feel-good chemicals in the brain. It can do so by repairing oxidative stress. Next, it can restore a person’s natural endocannabinoids. These endocannabinoids are often extinguished entirely, or severely depleted by heavy alcohol consumption.
Studies have shown that CBD can be a more suitable and safer alternative to marijuana use during alcohol withdrawal. There are many promising reports regarding the use of CBD for withdrawal, however, more research is needed before the benefits of CBD use for this treatment can be proven.
As I briefly touched on earlier, CBD can reduce glutamate toxicity. This is important since withdrawal usually involves the presence of excess amounts of glutamate which can contribute to a lack of GABA, a chemical produced in the brain that naturally helps us to feel relaxed. Additionally, CBD can help to reduce the cravings for alcohol by restoring CB1 receptor function, and reducing glutamate levels. It can also help to restore the endocannabinoid function.
How Long Does the Withdrawal Process Take?
The duration of the detox process is different for everyone. Withdrawal will usually begin about eight hours after the person last consumed alcohol. However, it can also occur days later in some people. The symptoms typically start to peak one to three days after the last drink, however, the symptoms can also go on for several weeks. For most people, the acute stage of the detox process is the worst. There are many factors that will come into play in regard to the length and severity of the withdrawal process, including:
- Age
- Weight
- Nutrition
- Current health
- Amount of alcohol regularly consumed
- How long a person has been drinking alcohol
- The daily amount of alcohol consumed
- Whether or not the alcohol was regularly consumed with other substances
How CBD Can Help to Combat Cravings
Did you know that long term alcohol consumption can cause brain damage? The more often a person drinks the more their brain will begin to categorize the alcohol as a need, which is just the beginning of cravings for the alcoholic. CBD use can help to combat these cravings by calming the brain and making it easier for a person in recovery to resist the temptation of drinking.
CBD can also help to protect the brain against further damage. A study found that when CBD injections were administered on rodents with alcohol-induced brain damage, the brain damage that was continuing to occur immediately halted.
How to Use CBD for Alcohol Withdrawal
CBD can help a person through the withdrawal process by helping to reduce many of the side effects of withdrawal such as anxiety, nausea, pain, and headaches. During this time, CBD should be taken in high doses. However, I recommend speaking with your physician prior to using CBD to determine what dose would be appropriate, in addition to the frequency of use. Products such as Diamond CBD Full Spectrum MCT Hemp Oil offer a more potent formula that can make it a better choice to treat the symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal.
To use to alleviate the symptoms, higher doses are often needed. In terms of acting life, how long CBD remains effective is different for everyone. In some people, the drops may only provide relief for two to three hours, while in others, it can last as long as five to seven hours. Read the product label to determine a safe starting dose, or consult your physician. Your doctor will be able to recommend an effective dose and dosing schedule, which can help to significantly minimize many of the withdrawal symptoms.
Is CBD Really the Answer?
For any alcoholic, the most difficult part about withdrawal is the fact that the body no longer has any type of natural mechanism to cope with anxiety and stress. During withdrawal, a person will be overwhelmed by both psychological and biological symptoms.
During this time, the therapeutic benefits of the CBD will play an important role. CBD will act as a type of natural replenishment in response to the body’s lack of endocannabinoids. Remember, an alcoholic’s endocannabinoid supply has basically been wiped out over the course of their relationship with alcohol.
The CBD will also help to reduce alcohol cravings which can be very severe during the detox process since the alcohol is what has been providing the body and brain with reward stimuli.
Related Questions
Can CBD Oil Help with Anxiety?
Yes. CBD products have a very calming effect on both the brain and body. It’s one reason why many people use CBD to help sleep better at night. CBD will promote relaxation and help to reduce the feelings of anxiety and restlessness, allowing you to focus or rest easier at night. To learn more, click here to read my article on will CBD oil relax me?
What Works Faster, CBD Oil or Capsules?
CBD oil will work at a much faster rate than capsules. When you take CBD drops orally, you’ll place a few drops under your tongue and hold them there for a period of one to two minutes. During this time, the CBD oil will be absorbed into the tissue where it will immediately reach the bloodstream. When you take CBD capsules, the capsules must first travel all the way through the digestive tract where it will be digested. Next, it will go through the liver and finally to the bloodstream. On average, most people will not feel the effects of CBD capsules for a period of thirty minutes to one hour.
Will CBD Make Me Tired?
No. CBD is not a sedative. Often, when we have trouble sleeping at night it’s due to thinking about stress at work or home. This can lead to stress and anxiety, which can keep us up at night. A lack of sleep can also be caused by pain or inflammation. CBD is a non-psychoactive drug, which means it will not affect you in the same way that THC will. Instead, it works by promoting relaxation and helps to minimize pain, stress, and anxiety. This, in turn, can result in a better night’s rest.
Final Thoughts
Can CBD help to stop drinking? Yes. Not only can CBD be used during alcohol withdrawal to minimize the symptoms, but you can also continue to use it once the process is complete, in order to prevent a relapse. More research is needed to determine exactly why CBD can help to prevent future cravings for alcohol, but the research thus far is very promising and continues to show us that CBD is a miracle compound and one that offers many lasting health benefits.
