Should CBD Play a Role in Addiction Treatment?

August 10, 2019

Harmony Place Team

Can CBD Oil be used as a safe and stable part of addiction treatment? Let’s dive in and see what makes this possible. CBD oil, or cannabidiol oil, is taken from the cannabis plant, the same plant that provides marijuana. However, CBD oil is low in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the ingredient in marijuana that causes a high. In most states, CBD oil must not be more than .3% THC to be legal.

Still, the proponents of CBD oil say that even without THC, CBD oil provides positive benefits to users, helping them relieve stress, anxiety, and other issues. While CBD oil is becoming more popular across the country, used in everything from pet treats to oil diffusers, the truth is that we need more research to determine if CBD oil can be used as an effective medical treatment—including in addiction treatment.

How Does CBD Oil Work?

CBD oil activates neurotransmitter receptors in the brain, including receptors for serotonin (a neurotransmitter associated with happiness and mood regulation) and adenosine (a neurotransmitter associated with sleep and relaxation). It’s possible that by activating these receptors that CBD oil helps relieve anxiety, reduce feelings of pain and improve mood. It may also help treat seizures in people with intractable (untreatable) epilepsy.

However, it’s not clear what doses are needed or how CBD oil should be taken to achieve these effects. Should CBD oil be taken as oil in food or in capsules? Should it be inhaled or used on the skin? Research is currently underway to understand how the body absorbs CBD oil in different ways and what doses are both safe and effective in humans.

In general, however, CBD oil is safe in small amounts. Unlike THC, CBD does not have any psychoactive effects. It will not cause feelings of euphoria, delusions or hallucinations. CBD should not impair motor function or cause memory problems the way marijuana use does. Because it has fewer risks and harmful side effects, CBD oil is more likely to be legal in your state than marijuana.

Can CBD Oil be used in Addiction Treatment?

Research is currently underway to determine if CBD oil can and should play a role in addiction treatment. Most research is currently focused on if using CBD oil can be a replacement for the use of opioids. CBD oil is not addictive and does not have the negative effects of opioids. If it can provide consistent pain relief, it could be a good alternative for patients with chronic pain. This could help prevent people from ever developing addiction and slow down the opioid epidemic.

Other research in animals showed that CBD oil may help prevent relapse. Animals who received CBD oil for a week were able to avoid relapse for 5 months. While this research is promising, addiction in animals and addiction in humans is very different. Addiction is far more complex in human beings, so human studies are needed to see if these positive effects still occur.

Possible Benefits of CBD Oil in Addiction Treatment

CBD oil may provide the most benefits to people who have a dual diagnosis of both addiction and depression or anxiety. Depression is one of the largest triggers of substance use. If CBD oil, in combination with other treatments, helps relieve depression, it may help patients achieve abstinence for longer periods of time.

Even in patients without a dual diagnosis, CBD may help ease some of the stress and anxiety associated with addiction treatment. It could be used as a complementary therapy like yoga or meditation to help relax the brain. It’s possible benefits could be a complimentary addition to integrated treatment plans.

Possible Problems of CBD Oil in Addiction Treatment

It’s important to note, however, that CBD oil is not a replacement for traditional medical or psychotherapies. While it might support the success of these therapies, CBD oil alone will not treat addiction—and it is highly unlikely that any research in the future will show that it can be used alone.

But patients who believe in the power of CBD oil may be harmed by the belief that they can use it alone. They may stop using other therapies, making relapse more likely. Providers of addiction treatment should offer patient education on the proper uses of CBD oil to ensure patients understand its limits.

Patients may also believe that CBD oil and marijuana can be used interchangeably. This is another potentially harmful thought. Marijuana, which contains THC, may not be addictive, but it can create addiction pathways. This is the opposite of the goal of all addiction treatment and could seriously hinder efforts toward abstinence.

CBD oil, in the wrong doses, may also have the opposite of its intended effect. In high doses, it may actually increase feelings of anxiety and depression. Again, this could increase the chances of a relapse or complicate the road to recovery.

While some people swear by CBD oil for treatment in a wide variety of conditions, the truth is that the evidence is not yet available to prove any of these claims. Though low doses of CBD oil from a trusted vendor are not likely to be harmful, it’s not clear that they’ll provide any positive benefits either. For now, the best path to sobriety is using currently available medicines and psychotherapies to improve mental health.

At Harmony Place, we use comprehensive therapies to help you achieve abstinence. From yoga to medication-assisted treatment, individual therapy to group therapy, we provide the support you need to lead a healthier life.

We’re ready to help you overcome trauma and addiction. Take the first step toward a sober life and contact us at any time day or night for assistance. At Harmony Place in Woodland Hills, California, we provide a relaxing, comfortable environment for addiction treatment and recovery with many addiction treatment program options. Contact us today at (855) 652-9048 to learn more about our services and how you or your loved one can prepare for a successful rehabilitation from drug and alcohol addiction treatment at our California treatment center.

Chris P

I've been to 12 rehabs over the last 20 years and NO other place has touch like Harmony Place! From the owner right down to the cleaning lady, everyone here is kinda and warm. God has blessed this place and I feel privileged to have come through here. I recommend anyone who is going through their struggle with mental health or substance abuse to pick up the phone and come! You won't regret it!

Joseph S

This place is incredible, kind, loving, patient, rigorous, educative, caring and the best place for recovery. Ill be part of the alumni crew

Monica G

I had very good experience at Harmony Place From first day I came, staff was very kind and make me feel welcome and safe. Everyone was friendly and always try to help me. The therapists are very good and caring. They listen to me and help me understand my problems better. I learn many things from them and feel stronger because of their support. The nurses also very nice and professional. They always check on me and make sure I am okay. Food was good and facilities were clean and comfortable. It help me feel more relaxed and focus on my recovery. Management also doing very good job. Everything was organized and you can see they really care about patients. I am very thankful for this place and all the people who work here. I recommend this center to anyone who needs help.

Denton

Awesome place great people u want to check this place out most definitely 😜

Tyler

A treatment center where the owners truly care about your recovery and after care.. cannot recommend enough

Jodana S

If you want to detox painlessly this is the place! The staff is A1. They truly care about us. The groups are awesome . Residential is crazy awesome! You live in a mansion. With a private chef who makes the best food. Community meeting that gets results fast, they care about your opinions. Pool and Jacuzzi are beautiful. If your struggling with addiction this is the house you should come to. I LOVE HARMONY PLACE!!!!! Thank you to all the staff they go above and beyond to make this experience comfortable therapeutic. Don't spend another day in your addiction come to Harmony Place right now!

Cass

I’ve been to 4 treatment centers before Harmony Place, and I can tell you without a single doubt that this is the absolute best by FAR. The past ones were luxury Residential Treatment centers that just treated every single client the same not tailoring to each individual, and were basically just in it for the money, dropping the ball each time. I can also tell you that I’ve never met the CEOs, but here, David comes to the facility almost every single day, and makes sure he get to know every individual here. He is incredibly kind, and was even willing to transfer me to another facility with a higher level of trauma therapy due to me having a lifetime of trauma and PTSD that just is going to take a long time to tackle. He truly cares about all of the clients having all of the tools that we need before getting released to the real world. No more of other CEO would ever be willing to miss an opportunity at making more money and even paired with my IMPECCABLE case manager to find a different facility that was more trauma based. My case manager, Sam, goes absolutely above and beyond in every single aspect. She makes sure you have a smooth transition into aftercare, provides out of this world advice when it comes to sobriety, and takes the time out of her day to make sure that FMLA and short-term disability are completely taken care of during your stay. I’ve never met a case manager that could ever compare to Sam. Ever. I feel lucky to have met her, genuinely. Marissa, my therapist, is SO SWEET, actually listens to you, and provides advice and therapy tailored to each individual’s experience. She’s handled every mood I’ve been in, never judged me, and allowed me to feel safe enough to tell her things I’ve never told any person or therapist in my 29 years of life. I’ve been going to therapy for the past 15 years, and none of those therapists even come close to how amazing she is. I’ve been to 4 other treatment centers in my life and none even come close to Harmony Place. The facility is clean, organized, and high-end. I would recommend Harmony place to my family, friends, and anyone seeking treatment. I feel SO BLESSED to have landed in their hands. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE IN THE CLINICAL STAFF BEYOND WORDS. I love you guys ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️. I feel more confident than ever in my Recovery.

Gabe H

Where to begin.. Harmony is a place that will forever be a part of my story as the first step in my recovery journey. I’m so grateful for this program. The staff is very friendly, and many of them understand what addiction is like, for they themselves have recovery stories of their own. They have an awesome team of therapists, group facilitators, nurses, RA technicians, medical and health professionals, a wonderful case manager for aftercare that cares deeply for your next steps; making sure you are set up for success. They have a wonderful admissions team (shoutout to Marielle who was so kind and understanding of my messed up situation). Everyone is very relatable and friendly. They invest heavily in the importance of diet and nutrition too - there’s a full time professional chef. I gained all the weight I lost and wanted back in the first two weeks lol. On top of the intensive programming they do throughout the day, they take us out to experience various kinds of outside groups to get a taste of the real world, and also take us on social outings during the weekend. If you’re serious about getting better this place will meet you where you’re at and prepare you to launch with a renewed mind and heart.

Monica P

I can't begin to explain just how amazing Harmony Place is. In fact, when we sit down with the owner, Jeff, and clinical director, David, on Monday mornings to have a house meeting, they ask us what they could be doing better. A bigger blender for smoothies is the ONLY thing we could come up with. Let me begin by addressing some negative reviews. If you notice many of them are from people, or are referring to people who have been asked to leave. It is because of harmony places protection of their clients that provide ideal conditions for healing and progress. There is a screening process that it is implemented where they make sure the clients they admit are ready to start a life of sobriety. Some people slip through the cracks. Some people find out a few days or weeks in that they've changed their minds. Some are inappropriate and break rules. It happens. When Harmony Place ask people to leave, It's because they are protecting the people who are here that want treatment. In effect, they're providing exactly what I needed for a genuine start to recovery. When I began my search for a treatment center, my requirements were that the facility's provide an environment in which its residents all want to be there and that it is ethically ran. I got that and so much more at Harmony Place. As well as a structured routine, they also provide a confidential and nurturing environment where one feels safe and where profound healing can begin. Their program offers a sound foundation where further progress in sober living is almost guaranteed. In group meetings, we enjoy getting to know ourselves again and with deeper understanding about why we are the way we are. We are provided with skills to handle real life. Its here that I've come to understand that its not addiction that has driven me to make a mess of my life. It is the trauma that I endured and not processing it correctly that lead to poor thinking patterns that opened the door to addiction resulting in poor life management. So we start at the bottom. Trauma. They help us understand that trauma has led to our own toxicity, what that trauma looks like and how to get out of our own way. Process groups help us learn how to take accountability and foster healthier relationships. I learned here that changing the way I think is absolutely possible and imperative to the healing process. Harmony Place offered me hope when I previously felt I was unfixable and a support team that truly loves me. Even after I leave here, I have contacts that almost demand I keep in touch and an alumni meeting where I can return to the facility on Thursday nights. I wasn't a 12 stepper when I came here but my first experience with it was not one where I was ready to stop using. I understand now that the steps will work for me. It's certainly is not the only modality that they teach. In one group, we are provided an opportunity to sit with a recently retired medical doctor to just ask questions. Another is with a nutritionist. There are a handful of people IN recovery that come to lead groups that are all accredited highly specialized where I felt understood and not judged. The knowledge I have gained here is life changing. It is also versatile and relatable for all types of people. my favorite group was dialectical behavioral therapy. There are breathing classes and sound bath groups and I started doing yoga in the morning. There's a dharma meeting they take you offsite that focuses on Buddhist values. A fantastic onsight chef provides three meals and you can have special requests. We facilitated our own Movie nights during free time. I cant forget to mention you get your own one on one meetings with your assigned primary therapist and there is comprehensive medical support complete with 24/7 nurses and a doctor that shows up throughout the week. If this is what you need to recover and you have mediCAL, cancel your mediCAL and get insurance Harmony Place accepts if you can. There are people to help you with that as well. Just call. Many, many thanks to the staff. ✔️Another life changed.🙏

Cody B

This is such an amazing place truly changed my life. I would recommend this place to anybody if they’re looking for a strong recovery house that truly cares about your recovery and not about just money So if you’re ready to change your life, don’t miss out on the greatness of harmony because this place is where it’s at