Is CBD a Relapse?
CBD is in the news lately as a revolutionary, almost miracle-like drug that treats a variety of illnesses. CBD stands for cannabidiol which is one of the main active ingredients in marijuana. It’s not the psychoactive ingredient that gets you “high”, that would be called tetrahydrocannabiol (THC). If you’re in recovery and are interested in using CBD, you might be wondering if it’s considered a relapse. After all, it’s one of the active ingredients in marijuana, which is a high psychoactive substance that will quickly get you high.
The truth is that there is no “right” answer to this question. Is CBD a relapse? Well, that depends on what you considered a relapse. If you’re using CBD legitimately for a medical condition and are not doing it in hopes of catching any sort of buzz, then we don’t believe it’s a relapse. However, if you move on to using marijuana recreationally, then you’re engaging in addictive behaviors and knowingly taking a mood/mind altering substance.
Cannabidiol and Addiction Recovery
We believe that under the careful supervision of a doctor, you can safely take CBD as directed for minor medical conditions that can benefit from this drug. However, if it any point the CBD makes you want to use marijuana, then you should stop using it immediately. While there is no evidence to show a person can become physically dependent on CBD or that it’s addictive in any way, there are not that many long-term studies on the effects of CBD.
It’s best to talk with your sponsor about CBD and relapse, along with reaching out to your support group. There are conflicting opinions in the recovery world when it comes to the subject of cannabidiol and addiction recovery. One fear is that CBD could be a gateway to using other drugs because it’s socially acceptable and seemed “safe”. Cannabidiol use could open the floodgates for chronic relapsers to think it’s okay to move on to the next step (such as marijuana or THC).
We advise everyone to think carefully when you make the decision take CBD. Your personal recovery is important and not worth giving up for anything. If you’re on the fence about CBD and relapse, or if cannabidiol caused you to slip up on your recovery, there are addiction resources available that can assist you in getting back on track.
About Long Island Interventions
We’ve helped countless individuals and families that are affected by drug addiction and alcoholism across the New York area. Many people who develop a substance use disorder find it very difficult to stop using without professional help.
