Struggling to cut back on alcohol? A growing body of research suggests that cannabis could offer a surprising solution. According to a recent medical study, cannabis may reduce alcohol cravings and help heavy drinkers consume less overall. While this idea might sound controversial, scientists are beginning to explore how cannabinoids interact with the brain’s reward system — and what that could mean for those battling alcohol use disorder.

In today’s society, alcohol is everywhere—deeply ingrained in our culture and social behaviors worldwide. Whether it’s a drink after work or getting drunk on weekends, especially during stressful times, drinking has become a way of life. We drink to celebrate, to forget, to relax, to numb ourselves, and even to connect with others. Yet despite abundant research showing that alcohol is carcinogenic, many still overlook its risks.

If you want to encourage a heavy drinker to put down the glass, cannabis might just be worth considering. Here’s what the latest research reveals about this unexpected potential aid in reducing alcohol dependence.

In fact, we have known that alcohol is carcinogenic for over 35 years. As early as 1987, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified alcoholic beverages as Group 1 carcinogens to humans; at that time, there was already sufficient evidence linking alcohol consumption to liver cancer, esophageal cancer, laryngeal cancer, and oral cancer. Today, the evidence has only grown stronger.

In contrast, cannabis has been shown to be an excellent natural alternative to alcohol because it provides all the effects of alcohol: it can make you feel euphoric, relax your body and mind, and help you connect with others — but without the carcinogenic and dangerous side effects! However, for those deeply addicted to alcohol, quitting can be extremely challenging.


How Can Cannabis Help Reduce Alcohol Dependence?

According to a recent federally funded study, people who consumed cannabis before drinking ended up consuming less alcohol overall — and even reported significantly reduced cravings for alcohol. Funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), a branch of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the study adds to a growing body of evidence supporting alternative therapies. It suggests that cannabis may serve as a partial or even complete substitute for alcohol consumption.

The study was conducted by eight researchers from Colorado State University and the University of Colorado. They analyzed 62 adults who both used cannabis and consumed alcohol, all of whom had a history of heavy drinking for at least three months.

Participants were asked to take part in experimental sessions where they were allowed to drink up to five alcoholic beverages. This included one "priming" drink, followed by the option to consume up to four additional drinks. After making their drink selections, participants were instructed to consume one drink every 15 minutes.

In one of the sessions, participants were required to use cannabis beforehand. The method of consumption was self-selected, and the dosage was based on each participant’s typical use. All details were recorded and factored into the analysis.

The researchers found that participants consumed an average of two drinks when drinking alcohol alone. However, when they had used cannabis beforehand, their consumption dropped to an average of 1.5 drinks — a 25% reduction. While not every participant drank less after cannabis use, those who did reported lower alcohol cravings at multiple points in time compared to when they drank without cannabis.

The authors wrote:“Across the full sample, we found that pre-drinking cannabis use significantly reduced alcohol consumption compared to sessions in which only alcohol was provided. Additionally, co-use of cannabis and alcohol was associated with significantly lower alcohol cravings than alcohol use alone.”

The researchers noted that for some heavy drinkers, cannabis may act as a substitute for alcohol, with the reduction in cravings potentially serving as the underlying mechanism. However, they also emphasized that this effect is neither universal nor standardized. As with many aspects of cannabis use, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

They concluded:“Overall, the findings suggest that cannabis-related differences in alcohol craving may underlie substitution tendencies, and these effects appear to be independent of plasma THC concentration. However, further research is needed to clarify additional variables that may influence this relationship.”

These results, along with other emerging evidence supporting the substitution effect, contribute to a growing body of research indicating that some individuals may successfully use cannabis in place of alcohol. From both a public health and addiction treatment perspective, this strengthens the case for cannabis as a harm-reduction tool — especially for those struggling with alcohol dependence or alcohol use disorder. While cannabis may not be a complete cure for alcoholism, it may at least help reduce reliance on alcohol to a meaningful degree.


CBD May Also Reduce Alcohol Dependence in Heavy Drinkers

Early research also suggests that cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis, holds promise in reducing alcohol dependence among heavy drinkers.

Researchers at the Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH) in the United States conducted what is considered the first clinical trial of its kind to analyze how CBD affects alcohol dependence. Published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, the study explored the potential benefits of CBD in suppressing alcohol cravings through a randomized, double-blind trial involving 28 participants. The findings indicate that CBD influences activity in the brain’s addiction and reward center — specifically the nucleus accumbens (NAc).

Participants, aged between 18 and 60, were classified based on whether they had mild or severe alcohol use disorder. They were divided into two groups: one group received 800 mg of CBD, while the other received a placebo. Participants then underwent a series of tests exposing them to stress, alcohol cues, and other stimuli, while their brain activity was recorded via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The results showed that participants in the CBD group reported significantly reduced cravings for alcohol compared to those in the placebo group. Moreover, the activity in the addiction-related brain region (NAc) was lower among those who received CBD.

“Our study provides preliminary and clear evidence that CBD can help reduce alcohol dependence and modulate addiction-related brain activity,” explained Professor Patrick Bach, head of the Central Institute of Mental Health. However, he acknowledged that further studies are needed to fully answer these important questions — and noted that a follow-up study is already underway.


Conclusion

These findings are just one example among many studies suggesting that cannabis may hold significant potential in the treatment of alcohol use disorder. Alcoholism is widely considered one of the most difficult and complex conditions to treat. Encouragingly, both THC and CBD appear to offer support in curbing addiction. Still, given the variability in results, more research is essential to fully uncover the role cannabis might play in managing alcohol dependence.