Can Medical Marijuana Help Treat Drug Addiction?

August 27th, 2022

According to the AAMA (Association of American Medical Colleges), 21 million Americans suffer from addiction, and only 3,000 physicians are qualified to treat them [1]. But what about medical marijuana physicians? Is it possible to use medical marijuana to treat other forms of drug addiction? As of 2022, 37 states, three territories and the District of Columbia allow the medical use of cannabis products for patients who suffer from a state-approved qualifying condition. Today, people all over are now using medical marijuana as a way to increase their quality of life, combat unwanted side effects of other medical treatments and pharmaceutical drugs, and in some states, medical marijuana is even being used as a way to detox and treat drug addiction.

If you believe a medical marijuana card is right for you, schedule a risk-free appointment with one of our licensed medical marijuana doctors today! After your appointment is booked you will meet with your DocMJ physician for your required physical exam. If you qualify, your physician will enter your information into the registry and you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to apply for your medical marijuana card. It’s really that easy! Click here to learn more about becoming a medical marijuana patient.

Is Marijuana Addictive?

Illegal drugs as well as many prescription pharmaceutical drugs are often highly addictive. Marijuana, while still classified as an illicit drug, has numerous medicinal benefits and is typically not considered to be addictive. While current research methods have been unable to determine exact statistics on how many develop a disorder or addiction, what is clearer are the benefits of marijuana for patients who qualify and/or need cannabis-based medicines [2]. Learn more about the health benefits of medical marijuana.

Most individuals who use medical marijuana do so with the goal to treat health problems and accompanying symptoms naturally, and do not become addicted. They use the amount/dosage recommended by the physician overseeing their care and do not feel the urge to overuse the drug. While it is possible to become dependent or addicted to marijuana, the National Institute on Drug Abuse previously reported that about 1 in 7 marijuana users would develop problematic use with the drug. Now the agency is reporting that 30 percent of marijuana users will develop problems with its use, known as marijuana use disorder [3]. Marijuana use disorder may lead to addiction if the person cannot stop using marijuana even though it interferes with activities of daily living.

Using Medical Marijuana as Treatment for Drug Addiction

Although highly uncommon, marijuana can be addictive, so it might seem counterproductive to use it as a way to treat drug addiction. “Using one addictive drug to get off of another simply does not make sense long-term. There are a few things that do make sense, however, particularly when it comes to opioid addiction” [4]. Some studies have found that using medical marijuana as a way to treat symptoms such as pain, can actually prevent a drug addiction from ever developing. Many addicts begin their addiction with a prescription for painkillers, and medical marijuana might be a suitable and safer substitute [4]. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is now funding research to study the use of synthetic THC for the treatment of addiction. As of today, the debate of using medical marijuana to treat drug addiction remains undecided but the National Library of Medicine National Center for Biotechnology Information says there is emerging evidence for cannabis’ role in opioid use disorder [5].

In 2017, CNN published the article, “New potential for marijuana: Treating drug addiction” featuring a treatment center in Los Angeles that uses medical cannabis as a detox and maintenance protocol for individuals suffering from severe addictions [6].

Getting a Medical Marijuana Card

DocMJ offers medical marijuana recommendations from compassionate doctors you can trust. Take the first step in getting your medical marijuana card today by scheduling your risk-free appointment! Our team is here to answer any questions you may have and is happy to guide you every step of the way. Be sure to check out our blog to learn more about medical marijuana and how it can help you!