Can Weed Help With Alcoholism?

Can Marijuana Help Alcoholism?

Alcoholism is a scary disorder that can rip apart families with ease. Thankfully, there are solutions.

So, can marijuana help alcoholism? Is marijuana safer than alcohol? Yes, and yes. 

Studies show that medical marijuana for alcoholism may be incredibly beneficial because of the plant’s ability to help curb addiction.

We’ll talk more about this in detail later, but these properties show serious potential in reducing alcohol cravings and helping to find healthier, more natural alternatives. 

Alcoholism brings about a lot of uncomfortable side effects that only make someone want to drink more to get rid of them.

Medical marijuana, however, may be able to alleviate a lot of these symptoms, making it easier to fight addiction.

For example, if you suffer from extreme anxiety or depression, the uplifting yet calming properties of cannabis may be just what you need to get your mind off of the bottle. 

You might be turning to alcohol because of uncontrollable stress or other psychological factors, too.

Cannabis for alcoholism may help with this, as well.

Medical marijuana has been shown to reduce cortisol levels in the body, helping to re-regulate systems and create balance.

Cortisol is the body’s primary stress hormone, and it isn’t always easy to regulate this hormone on your own. MMJ, though, does it quite effortlessly. 

However, we have to stress that medical marijuana for alcoholism acts differently for every person.

While cannabis and alcohol might create an excellent relationship for some, this isn’t always the case. If you decide to turn to cannabis to treat alcoholism, do so with caution.

If you notice any adverse reactions, stop consuming MMJ immediately and consult your doctor. 

Cannabis and Emotional Recovery: What the Evidence Actually Says

Using cannabis to “take the edge off” early in sobriety sounds appealing—but the mental-health evidence is mixed and dose-dependent. A major review by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) synthesizing dozens of longitudinal and case-control studies found the following patterns relevant to emotional recovery:

• Psychosis risk (strongest signal): There’s substantial evidence linking cannabis use (especially frequent/high-potency use) to a higher risk of schizophrenia and other psychoses, with risk rising as use increases.
• Bipolar spectrum: Regular or near-daily use is associated with more mania/hypomania symptoms and a tougher course of illness (longer time to recovery, higher recurrence) among people with bipolar disorder.
• Depression: There’s moderate evidence of a small increased risk of developing depressive disorders, particularly with heavier use. Evidence is not strong that cannabis changes the course of existing depression.
• Anxiety: Overall links are inconsistent, but there’s moderate evidence that regular use increases the incidence of social anxiety disorder. (For other anxiety disorders, evidence is limited or null after adjustments.)
• Suicidality: Moderate evidence ties cannabis use (again, more so heavy use) to higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempts, and increased risk of suicide completion.
• PTSD: Evidence is limited, but some observational work shows greater PTSD symptom severity among users; improvements have been reported after periods of abstinence.
• Nuances in psychotic disorders: Among people already diagnosed with psychosis, a history (not recent use) of cannabis is sometimes associated with slightly better cognitive test performance, but this does not translate into a green light for use; acute intoxication impairs memory, learning, and attention.

Practical takeaways if you’re considering cannabis during recovery:

• Think harm reduction, not cure. For some, cannabis (particularly CBD-dominant, low-THC products) may help with sleep or stress—yet the risks above grow with dose, potency, and frequency.
• Screen yourself. Personal or family history of psychosis or bipolar disorder is a strong reason to avoid THC-heavy products.
• Avoid heavy/near-daily use. Favor low doses, CBD-forward formulations, and non-combustion routes.
• Pair with evidence-based supports (therapy, peer groups, sleep hygiene). If you’re on mood or ADHD meds, coordinate with a clinician—interactions and symptom masking are real concerns.
• If mood, anxiety, or suicidality worsen, stop and seek professional help promptly.

Bottom line: cannabis can feel emotionally stabilizing for some people in early sobriety, but the best available evidence warns that regular/high-THC use can worsen key mental-health outcomes, especially psychosis, mania, social anxiety, and suicidality. Use cautiously, purposefully, and with clinical guidance.

Treating Alcoholism With Medical Marijuana

When it comes to treating alcoholism with medical marijuana, as successful as it can be, it’s important to keep some things in mind. 

Alcoholism is an addiction. Just like with alcohol, you can also become dependent on cannabis.

While the substance itself doesn’t have any addictive properties, those with predisposed addictive personalities may latch onto cannabis in an unhealthy way, even if it means no longer drinking. 

While the lack of alcohol is obviously positive, you don’t want to just replace it with another dependence.

Thus, you do have to be careful with enjoying marijuana for alcoholism. This is something that you must do with care, compassion, and caution.

Even though cannabis is healthier than alcohol, it doesn’t mean you can rely on it. 

To healthily and productively treat alcoholism with medical marijuana, you want to make sure you’re enjoying small doses somewhat infrequently.

This will help avoid any significant dependence. For example, just one hit in the morning and one hit in the evening may be perfect for keeping you feeling at ease throughout the day. 

Or, you can have one edible, enjoying the effects all day long.

Other consumers may find that vape products are best because they’re easily portable and ready for you whenever you start to feel a craving coming on. The choice is yours!

Find whatever cannabis consumption method most appeals to you and see if you can incorporate it into your routines, replacing alcohol with some herb.

LEARN MORE: Medical Marijuana and ADHD | Medical Marijuana and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Marijuana for Alcohol Withdrawal

A great way of utilizing cannabis is by trying marijuana for alcohol withdrawal.

Those who are trying to overcome addiction will often find themselves in withdrawal, suffering from uncomfortable side effects simply in the name of getting better. These withdrawal symptoms can be strong enough to cause a relapse, which is more than frustrating for recovery.

Thus, finding something that can mitigate these symptoms may be life-changing. 

Medical marijuana is known to directly combat many withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, nausea, pain, and stress.

As we talked about above, MMJ and anxiety are well-known, and the plant can help immensely when bringing down stress levels.

In terms of nausea, cannabis works beautifully to ease stomach upset, stimulate appetite, and bring some serious relief. 

Whether it’s the mental or physical aspects of alcoholism you’re struggling with, medical marijuana may be able to help.

The plant shows serious promise for helping with mental disorders like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

At the same time, its anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties work wonderfully for combatting the more physical side effects. 

For those recovering from alcohol abuse disorder, turning to medical marijuana during withdrawal may be the best choice to make to keep you on track.

Recovery is already hard enough, so why not find something that makes the whole process more manageable? 

Important Considerations Before Using Cannabis for Alcoholism

While research points to cannabis as a possible tool for harm reduction, it isn’t risk-free, especially for people with addictive tendencies. Some individuals may end up replacing alcohol with excessive marijuana use, creating a new dependency instead of addressing the root causes of addiction.

Medical experts recommend approaching cannabis as part of a structured treatment plan rather than a standalone solution. Working with a physician who understands both addiction recovery and cannabinoid therapy ensures the approach remains safe, measured, and clinically guided. This includes choosing low-THC or CBD-dominant products, setting clear limits on use, and combining cannabis with evidence-based therapies like counseling, group support, or medication-assisted treatment.

Used responsibly and under supervision, medical marijuana may support emotional balance and reduce withdrawal discomfort during recovery. But without boundaries or medical oversight, it can interfere with long-term healing. The safest path is always one that’s personalized, medically guided, and focused on full recovery, not substitution.

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card for Alcoholism

While you may not be able to get a medical marijuana card for alcoholism alone, the disorder brings plenty of side effects that can.

Currently, numerous states across the US accept medical cards for qualifying conditions such as:

• • Anxiety
  • Debilitating nausea 
  • Chronic pain
  • PTSD

If you experience any of these symptoms because of your alcoholism, you can easily make a case for getting your medical marijuana card.

But, where’s the best place to turn to do so? Elevate Holistics. 

Elevate Holistics is a telehealth platform specializing in helping people like you get the medical recommendations they need for an MMJ card.

Our board-certified physicians know cannabis better than most, and they understand the frustrations of limiting qualifying conditions.

But that’s why we work tirelessly to ensure you don’t hang up our Zoom call empty-handed. 

If you’re hoping to enjoy medical marijuana for alcoholism, start by getting a medical marijuana card first.

Simply book an appointment using the button below and Elevate Holistics will guide you the rest of the way.