Drug withdrawals can be debilitating to both the individual overcoming addiction and their families. Most addictions start with over the counter prescription drugs, like Oxycodon and Vicodin—in 2013 1.8 million Americans were classified as having a prescription drug abuse disorder. Overdose deaths involving opioid prescriptions have quadrupled since 1999 and from the years of 1999 to 2014 the death toll hit over 165,000. According the National Institute of Health, people who start drug treatment programs often relapse after the first six months and/or become addicted to the medicines used to treat those drug withdrawals like Benzodiazepines and Methadone. 46 Americans die everyday from overdose of opioids with most of them being over the counter prescriptions, which has some states even declaring a “state of emergency” because of this opioid epidemic.
Cannabis triggers similar reward systems in the brain to opioids, without any of the risk and can help with not only kicking the addiction, but with treating the symptoms associated with withdrawals as well. Treatable symptoms include nausea, vomiting, pain, muscle spasms, anxiety, depression and insomnia just to name a few. A routine of moderate dosing is key, starting with a high milligram edible so as to mimic the pleasure sensation the patient was used to in their addiction and then slowly weaning down in milligrams until it is no longer necessary. Edibles usually have the best results as they are potent and easily dosed. The Korova Black Bar is 1000 milligrams and was designed to be used as a treatment for withdrawals to achieve the high potency necessary and appropriate dosing. There is no lethal dose of cannabis, which makes it a great alternative to other treatments that could be as dangerous or addictive as the drugs they once abused.
Want to use medical cannabis to help you through withdrawal? One of our cannabis consultants would be happy to help you pick out the best products for your needs!
SOURCES:
Modulation of the endocannabinoid system: vulnerability factor and new treatment target for stimulant addiction
Cannabinoid-opioid interactions in drug discrimination and self-administration: effect of maternal, postnatal, adolescent and adult exposure to the drugs
Injury Prevention & Control: Opioid Overdose
Drug Withdrawal Symptoms, Timelines, & Treatment
Medical Marijuana as Treatment for Alcoholism & Addiction
