the dope report

UC Berkeley researchers suggest substituting weed for serious boozing problems. A survey of 350 cannabis users found significant amounts of smokers had used the plant to control alcohol cravings, as well as get off pills, coke and other hard shit. According to the study published in the Harm Reduction Journal:

40 percent used cannabis to control their alcohol cravings, 66 percent as a replacement for prescription drugs and 26 percent for other, more potent illegal drugs.

Selection bias: Cal researcher Amanda Reiman carried out the study at the Berkeley Patient’s Group, a medical cannabis dispensary. Still:

people reported using cannabis as a substitute because it has fewer adverse side effects than alcohol, illicit or prescription drugs, 34 percent because it has less withdrawal potential and 57.4 percent because cannabis provides better symptom management.

...

Substituting cannabis for alcohol has been described as a radical alcohol treatment protocol. This approach could be used to address heavy alcohol use in the British Isles – people might substitute cannabis, a potentially safer drug than alcohol with less negative side effects, if it were socially acceptable and available.”

[Psych Central]

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