Cannabis helps reduce Alcohol intake

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.

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. 

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:

And earlier studies had already laid a strong foundation:

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