CBD and Addiction Treatment in Arizona: Facts vs. Hype

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(480) 764 - 2335

In Arizona, where adult-use marijuana was recently legalized in 2020 and hemp-derived CBD products are widely available, individuals in recovery and treatment providers alike may be curious about CBD’s possible role in managing substance use disorders (SUDs).

CBD Basics

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CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in marijuana and hemp plants, which does not produce the psychoactive “high” typically associated with THC.

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CBD’s therapeutic effects are believed to arise from its interactions with the body’s endocannabinoid system and various other receptors within the brain.

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Short-Term Effects of CBD

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Changes in alertness

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Mood alterations

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Drowsiness

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Gastrointestinal distress

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Liver injury

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Male reproductive toxicity

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Long-Term Effects of CBD

The State of the Evidence

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Most clinical research on CBD for addiction has focused on opioid use disorder (OUD) and cannabis use disorder (CUD).

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Opioids

A 2019 study in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that CBD reduced cue-induced cravings and anxiety in individuals with heroin use disorder. However, the study was small (42 participants) and only looked at short-term effects.

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In a 2015 report, researchers from the University of Arizona reviewed preclinical evidence suggesting CBD could help reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms and relapse risk. They called for human trials to investigate CBD as an adjunct treatment for OUD.

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Cannabis

A 2019 clinical trial published in The Lancet Psychiatry tested a 4-week course of CBD in treating CUD. While CBD was well-tolerated, it was no more effective than a placebo in reducing marijuana use or cravings.

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However, a 2021 systematic review in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research concluded that CBD may have a role in treating specific cannabis withdrawal symptoms, like anxiety and sleep disturbances, based on limited evidence.

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At Nirvana Recovery Arizona, we can fight the SUD problem through

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