Drug addiction and overdose claim many lives around the world every year. When it comes to drug-related deaths, opioids are to blame the most but other drugs like cocaine and benzodiazepines are also major concerns.
Drugs are associated with powerful withdrawal symptoms that make it difficult if not impossible for many to overcome the addiction. De-addiction therapies are all about controlling the withdrawal symptoms with proper medication and will power.
CBD is a much-celebrated therapeutic compound. Can we use CBD for controlling drug addiction? Let us see.
CBD For Opioid Addiction
Opioid addiction has been a major public health concern of the 20th century.
Opioids are dangerously addictive and are associated with serious withdrawal symptoms including:
- Fever
- Symptoms resembling flu
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Runny eyes and nose
- Dilated pupils
- Insomnia
A study that explored the effects of CBD on opioid addiction suggested that CBD can reduce some of the craving symptoms like anxiety, thereby contributing to controlling opioid addiction.
Cocaine Addiction And CBD
Cocaine is a highly addictive drug that causes the second most number of drug-related deaths after opioids. It is associated with powerful cravings and withdrawal symptoms including:
- Agitation
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
CBD can offer a sense of relaxation by bringing down the stress levels of the users. This is relevant in the recovery of people addicted to cocaine or amphetamines.
A study published in Neuropsychopharmacology observed rats that were using cocaine and alcohol every day. The researchers applied CBD gel onto the skin of the rats every 24 hours for 7 days in a row.
Although the presence of CBD wasn’t detected in the blood of the rodents three days post treatment, the researchers found that the rats had decreased anxiety levels and showed a reduction in returning to the drug.
Alcoholism And CBD
Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance around the world and it has major impacts on our body.
It is also associated with powerful withdrawal symptoms including:
- Sleep disorders
- Irritability
- Nausea
- Tremors
- Sweating
- Hallucinations
Benzodiazepines that are commonly used to treat the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are associated with an increased risk of relapse. CBD has an impact on the withdrawal symptoms of alcohol abuse.
Substance addiction is a serious issue that can affect the health and social lives of individuals adversely. Finding efficient ways to control them is very much needed.