“You don’t know what you’re talking about!”
A few years ago, I received this in an outraged email from a therapist subscribed to my mailing list. It was written in response to me talking about how cannabis appears to be helpful in tapering people off alcohol. “I’m unsubscribing because this is irresponsible behavior,” they wrote.
Of course, I’ve come to expect resistance when I speak openly about cannabis in certain circles. The stigma surrounding the plant is nothing new – but in some spaces, it runs even deeper, making honest dialogue even more difficult. For many, it’s easier to lump cannabis in with harmful substances than to consider its potential as a harm-reduction tool. But my background in health journalism has taught me the importance of looking at emerging data with curiosity instead of fear. Credibility and trust are vital in the work I do now, too, so I make sure to stay current with scientific literature and approach these conversations with care and intention.
Rethinking Abstinence-Only Recovery
When we talk about recovery, the default assumption is often total abstinence. So I understand why the idea—that cannabis could play a supportive role in reducing alcohol dependence—feels counterintuitive to some. Traditional recovery frameworks, like 12-step programs and many therapeutic models, often promote total abstinence from all substances. And for some, that’s the path that works. But increasingly, we’re seeing that healing isn’t one-size-fits-all.
“Clean and sober” used to be the gold standard. But maybe we need to make room for a new approach – what some are calling “Marijuana Maintenance.“
“I used to use marijuana to numb,” one of my students told me. It had been one of her former addictions – along with crack and alcohol. “But now I’m in recovery and I’m on marijuana maintenance,” she added as we discussed her path of emotional and trauma recovery.
Stories like this aren’t unusual in my emotional release work – and “marijuana maintenance” strikes me as a practical reference.
“Maintenance” is the state of being maintained, supported, or cared for. So “marijuana maintenance” can offer support for increased stability, deeper introspection, enhanced empathy, heightened creativity, all while supporting inner exploration in deep meditative states, which is pivotal in trauma healing.
While the term hasn’t yet made its way into academic literature (yet), the science is catching up quickly. In recent years, a significant number of published studies suggest that when used intentionally, cannabis helps reduce alcohol intake for some people. Most recently:
- A 2025 study published by Researchers at Colorado State University and the University of Colorado found that adults who consumed cannabis before drinking alcohol drank 25% less on average and reported lower alcohol cravings. (Cannabis administration is associated with reduced alcohol consumption and craving: Evidence from a novel laboratory co-administration)
- This 2024 clinical trial published in Molecular Psychiatry tested high-dose CBD (800mg) in individuals with alcohol use disorder. The results showed that people had fewer cravings for alcohol and their brains were less triggered by things that usually make them want to drink. (Cannabidiol reduces alcohol cue-reactivity and craving in alcohol use disorder)
- In New Zealand, a large-scale 2024 survey involving more than 23,000 cannabis users showed that many actively used cannabis as a substitute for alcohol and other substances – especially among young adults and communities with high instances of alcohol abuse. (Substitution of cannabis for alcohol and other drugs among cannabis users in New Zealand)
- A 2024 Bloomberg Intelligence survey reported that 44% of U.S. cannabis users now say they’re substituting cannabis for alcohol – up from 33% in 2022. That’s a sharp and telling increase. (Analysts Observe Sudden Uptick in Cannabis Use as an Alternative to Alcohol)
And earlier studies had already laid a strong foundation:
Veterans Often Substitute Medical Cannabis for Alcohol and Prescription Drugs
Patients Frequently Substitute Medical Cannabis for Other Controlled Substances
Medical Cannabis Patients Report Decreased Use of Opioids and Anti-Anxiety Medications
Substituting Cannabis for Prescription Drugs, Alcohol, and Other Substances
Of course, using of cannabis in this respect is something far different from the pursuit of “numbing” with substances. It’s quite clear the “numbing” process is a logical approach for a person desperately trying to quiet painful emotions like anxiety, anger, depression, and low self-esteem – which is a whole other conversation.
What are your thoughts on this approach, the idea of using cannabis to wean off alcohol? Drop down to the comments section and let me know!
With Love,
Becca
Yesterday I completed a 28 day voluntary cannabis abstinence. My longest since leaving the military 22 years ago. I use no other substances, pharmaceutical drugs or alcohol, which I was addicted to from age 13 to 25. Then I started cannabis and gradually tapered off. I knew alcohol for me was extremely harmful and cannabis was my medicine. My purpose in the cannabis break was to reveal if I am addicted. The break was difficult at first but became less so. My insights were many and one is that I do feel cannabis is beneficial for me when used appropriately, like you mention Becca.
Addiction to anything substance or behavior I feel is harmful as it signifies not being in control of the action but being controlled by it. However that does not neccesarily make something that can become addictive for some harmful to all. Some drink alcohol without being addicted, some exercise. I believe it is about knowing what we can enjoy and benefit from in life without becoming taken over by it.
For me the experiment continues, some additions, some subtractions the goal a continuously more Peaceful, Healthy and Joyful life.
As Buddha states in the Second Noble Truth “Attachments (Addictions) are the cause of suffering” and the Third Noble Truth “The cessation of suffering is the release of all attachments (addictions)”
Congratulations Michael! This says a lot about your healing path. I tend to agree with Gabor Maté, renowned trauma expert, that addiction is not a failure of willpower but a remarkably intelligent response to unbearable emotional pain, which often originates in early life, through emotional neglect, abuse, trauma. This absence of safety, of being seen, of feeling loved, creates a chronic inner torment. And in that void, addiction becomes a form of numbing – a way to numb what feels otherwise intolerable.
When healing happens, the need to numb becomes less overpowering and the addictive impulse begins to loosen its grip. It’s not that the pain vanishes overnight – but it no longer has to be silenced at all costs.
I just sent to my childhood friend a link to a video where Dr. Gabor Mate, who I admire greatly and have followed for several years now speaks about his most recent book, The Myth of Normal. Trauma and addiction being a central focus and its myriad of causes. My friend is a recovered alcoholic for over 10 years now. We started drinking together in 8th grade. Perhaps there is some truth in the saying “Great minds think alike” or perhaps even more important “Compassionate hearts acts alike” 🙏
“Compassionate hearts acts alike”! 💗