The statistics on drug and alcohol addiction in the U.S. tend to paint a rather grim picture, with more than 21.5 million American adults fighting some sort of substance use disorder. The opioid addiction has become so serious in the U.S. that it has now reached epidemic levels and is continuing to worsen each year. Just between the years 2015 to 2016, the number of deaths caused by overdoses rose by an alarming 21%.
Addiction is not an issue that touches just certain pockets of the country, rather, it touches a large number of people in some way, shape or form, and it is catching the attention of healthcare professionals and the government.
For those trying to fight their addiction and come out of it, the road can be very long and difficult with setbacks and relapses along the way. Finding techniques and methods to help fight addiction is the key to success. This is exactly why CBD oil is starting to gain the attention of the medical community and those fighting addiction. So, how exactly does it fight addiction? Does it actually show promise? Let’s take a closer look.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol or CBD is gaining plenty of traction as of late, but there are still many unsure what exactly CBD is. CBD is just one of the more than 100 chemical compounds that are found in marijuana plants. Cannabis plants also contain TCH, which is the psychoactive cannabinoid of the plant, and that’s what will make a person feel “high”. The CBD compound doesn’t contain any THC, which means there is no feeling high and it isn’t psychoactive.
What makes CBD so intriguing is the fact it can act as a pain reliever, among other things, without altering a person’s state of mind, unlike marijuana.
Another interesting element is the fact that CBD can stay in the body for a while, which means its effects can continue. While there is no set time that it sticks around and lingers, some research has shown that when taken in high doses, it can linger for up to six weeks.
What is the Relation between CBD and Addiction?
So, how exactly can CBD help to fight addiction? There is actually a fair amount of medical research being done on the topic right now, looking at how it can help fight addiction and even help to prevent relapse from occurring, which is a common issue.
What some of the research is showing is that by taking CBD, the person will display fewer characteristics that are common with addicts. Not only that, but it is showing lasting effects long after the CBD has been taken.
CBD is currently being used in a number of clinical trials to treat addictions to alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, heroin, amphetamine, and even cannabis. Researches are finding that when taken in the proper dosage, it can help stave off the cravings for the drug of choice, and it helps to calm the anxiety that so many addicts suffer from. While it alone may not be able to cure a person’s addiction, the idea is that it can be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment to make the process smoother and increase the odds of success.
Another interesting angle that researchers are looking into is that CBD can actually repair the damage that is caused to a person’s brain thanks to their addiction.
CBD Could be the Key to Kicking the Habit
So, while there is no clear-cut answer as of yet, thanks to the research and clinical trials currently being conducted it may not be long until doctors are recommending the use of CBD in order to combat addiction.
