ABSTRACT
Cannabis seems quite effective in sustaining sobriety during this especially rough period when individuals are going to 12-step programs and trying to get a handle on the mental, emotional, and spiritual changes necessary to maintain a sound and sober life. The genetic counselor explained Reward Deficiency Syndrome related to food, music, and cannabis all boosting dopamine in his brain reward center. Cannabis is a potentially mild addictive substance, like a caffeine habit, but potentially far more intoxicating in a dose-dependent manner. The cannabis withdrawal syndromes resemble that of caffeine–next day headaches, insomnia, and irritability. In multivariable analysis, people who used cannabis used opioids less often than those who did not use cannabis. Cannabis access or use once again clearly showed an impressive public health benefit of substitution and reduction in opioid use. The use of cannabidiol to inhibit reward-facilitating effects of morphine in rats indicates cannabidiol attenuates cue-induced reinstatement of heroin seeking.
