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If you’ve found that you’re drinking more than you would like and are having difficulty cutting back, you are not alone. You may be surprised to find that medical marijuana could help you reduce your alcohol intake. Many cannabis patients are finding that having a medical marijuana card is making it easier to drink less.
Whether you are dealing with needing to quit alcohol entirely or simply want to reduce your overall intake, medical marijuana is worth considering. Alcohol consumption can be difficult to control, and cannabis has been known to make the transition easier.
[AUTHOR’S NOTE: It should be noted that the writer of this article is not a medical professional or an alcohol counselor. If you are suffering from alcoholism, we do encourage you to seek out the advice of a medical professional and consider entering a counseling program..]
Medical Marijuana Can Be an Effective Alcohol Substitute
A survey of 92 patients conducted in the early 2000s by Dr. Tod H. Mikuriya, suggests marijuana plays a useful role in long term recovery from alcohol addiction. Additional studies suggest that CBD, which is found in marijuana, may reduce a person’s motivation to drink.
Perhaps even more encouraging than the studies are the firsthand accounts of individuals who have used cannabis to curb their drinking:
Marijuana Was “an Exit Ramp from my Addiction to Alcohol.”
In a firsthand account for Buzzfeed News, Katie Herzog describes developing a drinking problem and all the different things she tried in order to stop drinking. She joined a twelve-step program. That didn’t work. Talk therapy was unsuccessful. She attended an outpatient group where she wound up learning a recipe for how to make “prison wine.” In her own words, “The thing that finally worked was marijuana.”
Katie says, “I used to crave alcohol, even though I knew the consequences. Stopping at the bar for one drink would mean having four and then getting a six-pack at the 7-Eleven on my way home and then waking up the next day so hungover I’d barely make it to work. With weed, I don’t find myself jonesing for a hit. I don’t smoke before work, or in other inappropriate situations.” She continues, “it doesn’t prevent me from doing my job. It enhances rather than incapacitates.”
“Alcohol Was Affecting the Way I Parent.”
In an editorial written for Insider, Conz Preti details how alcohol affected her ability to be a good parent to her children. She states “I always turned to alcohol when I needed to decompress.” However, when the pandemic hit, she realized alcohol was affecting the way she parented.
She quit alcohol and instead turned to vaping and edibles to blow off steam. Before this, alcohol was a regular part of her life. She stated, “I come from a culture where drinking is part of our lives from a young age. My grandparents gave their children seltzer with a splash of wine. My parents allowed me to try champagne when I was 14. Because of this, I thought I had a healthy relationship with drinking.”
Things changed as Conz got older, and the effects the day after drinking alcohol affected her mood. “The mornings after I had alcohol, even if it was just one hard booze drink, I would feel groggy, slow, and generally gross. What was even more worrying is that I was snappy at my children at times, and had much less patience than usual.”
Conz clarified her cannabis use, “I never use marijuana while the kids are around, unlike I did with alcohol, because I want to be fully present with them. Instead, I vape after everyone is asleep, while cleaning up the toys sprinkled all over our house. I eat a gummy while getting ready to watch a movie with my husband, which has become our favorite adult activity.”
“Cannabis Got Me Over the Hump.”
In a profile which interviewed people who had issues with alcohol abuse and replaced drinking with cannabis, Volteface detailed a man named Hugh’s story. He states that his alcohol intake had become a daily occurrence that he was in denial about.
In his own words, “I’d noticed that I wasn’t ever taking a day off from drinking, and that I’d begun to increase my intake but it wasn’t till I found myself lying to my partner that I finally admitted I had a real problem with alcohol.”
Hugh has managed to quit drinking entirely with the help of cannabis. He consumes marijuana daily, and at the time of his interview, hadn’t consumed any alcohol in over eight months.
Medical Marijuana Helps With Pain Relief
If you are drinking alcohol to relieve pain, you should know that cannabis is an effective tool that is helping patients with chronic pain. As a matter of fact, many patients who have had problems with painkiller addiction have found that medical marijuana is helping them reduce their dependence on opioids. If you are consuming alcohol to numb chronic pain, it’s worth considering making the switch to cannabis.
Still Need a Drink? Try These Cannabis Beverages Instead of Booze
Sometimes, the most difficult part about drinking less is the pressure we feel to drink in social situations. When you are at a gathering, it’s natural to want to enjoy a beverage. Consider substituting alcohol for something infused with THC.
If you prefer cocktails, there are some amazing cannabis mixed drinks that you can make, such as this THC-infused mint julep. You can also swing by your local dispensary to find some pre-made cannabis beverages, such as a THC-infused beer or a delicious marijuana-infused seltzer.
Ready to See if Cannabis Can Help You Reduce Your Alcohol Intake?
Medical marijuana is providing relief to more than 140,000 Missouri residents. If you are ready to experience the natural relief that cannabis provides, all you need is a Missouri medical marijuana card. If you don’t have your card yet, we’re here to help. Our medical staff is standing by to take you through a quick and easy evaluation to see if you qualify.
Schedule an appointment with a marijuana doctor online by CLICKING HERE, or give us a call at (877) 303-3117 to talk to a patient support representative.
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
At Missouri Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (877) 303-3117, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
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