In the old west, there were people who traveled from town to town selling cures for all kinds of aliments. Some of the cures that these salesmen offered at that time were met with skepticism. In fact, that’s where the term “snake oil salesman” originated from.
Given how CBD has skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years, many of us are wondering if it actually works. We know that CBD has a variety of applications, but if you’re struggling with substance abuse you might be wondering if CBD can help with recovery.
What is CBD?
Before we dive into how it impacts addiction, let’s take a closer look at what CBD is. CBD stands for cannabidiol and it’s one of the chemical compounds that’s found in marijuana. Since CBD does not contain any THC, it doesn’t create a “high”.
Studies on CBD suggest that the chemical helps your body stay calm and relaxed, and can actually help reduce the severity of seizures caused by epilepsy.
How Does CBD Work?
Even though CBD has continued to grow in popularity, the full details on how it works aren’t fully understood yet. We do know that CBD attaches itself to receptors in the brain throughout the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system helps your body regulate mood, memory, pain and appetite.
CBD can even attach itself to serotonin receptors in the brain to help reduce pain and inflammation. But how does all this apply to addiction treatment and recovery?
CBD and its Effect on Addiction Treatment
When it comes to addiction and substance abuse, CBD’s main role right now is helping prevent relapse. When you’re in recovery, periods of high stress and anxiety increase your risk of relapsing. While more research still needs to be done, CBD has been shown to help people cope with anxiety and minimize drug cravings.
In fact, a recent study in the American Journal of Psychiatry backs up this claim. In the study, 42 men and women who struggled with heroin abuse were shown two videos. One was just natural scenes, but the other included drug-related imagery to try to trigger cravings.
The people who took CBD during the study felt less cravings for drugs than those who didn’t. While this is a good sign for addiction treatment, much more research needs to be done. After all, the details of addiction change based on the person and the substance they are struggling with.
CBD is Not a Replacement for Quality Addiction Treatment
While CBD shows incredible promise for helping people struggling with substance abuse, it’s not a replacement for quality addiction treatment. Only credible addiction treatment centers like Footprints Beachside Recovery can help you uncover the underlying causes of your addiction and teach you ways to manage cravings and relapse triggers.
While CBD might be able to help you reduce cravings, you’ll still need to detox from the substance first. Detox and withdrawal are some of the leading causes of why people don’t find help for addiction. Going through detox without trained medical support can be dangerous and CBD isn’t a replacement for quality care.
Hope for Lasting Recovery is Within Your Reach
If you’re struggling with addiction, it can feel isolating without a clear path forward. But at Footprints Beachside Recovery, we’re here to walk the journey of recovery with you. As a family-run addiction treatment center, we’ve personally experienced addiction. That’s how we know that lasting recovery is within your reach.
In the scenic beach town of Treasure Island, Florida, you can heal your mind, body and spirit from addiction. Our addiction rehab center offers customized treatment based on your unique struggles. As a dual diagnosis program, we can help you uncover any underlying mental health disorders that might be fueling your substance abuse.
No matter what your addiction has stolen from you, we can help you find a brighter future. If you want to break free from addiction, contact us today. We’re ready to hear your story and help you along the path to lasting recovery.
