How Medical Marijuana Can Help to Combat Opioid Addiction

Currently, over 46 people die every day in the United States from prescription opioid overdoses. Almost 7,000 people are treated every day for the misuse of prescription opioids. So, what is the solution to this crisis? Believe it or not, medical marijuana.

One of the biggest issues facing anyone that is prescribed opioid-based pain relief is the addictive nature of opioids and the need to keep escalating dosages as tolerances change.

By combining cannabis use with opioid use, you can actually make the opioids safer to use. Marijuana can prevent opioid tolerance from building up and the need for dose escalation. Marijuana can also treat the symptoms of opioid withdrawal and is one of the safest harm reduction options for people who are addicted to opioids.

Finding a marijuana doctor isn’t always easy, but it doesn’t have to be hard either. Compassionate Care Consultants will be able to help you find out if your condition qualifies for a medical marijuana card.

For many doctors, there the only option for chronic pain conditions is prescription opioid-based medication. However, the growing movement towards medical marijuana is giving doctors another option, cannabis. If your doctor isn’t giving you all the options, then perhaps it’s time to speak to a qualified marijuana doctor?

Both cannabinoid receptors and opioid receptors are located in the pain areas of the brain. The easiest way to imagine your receptors is to think of them as a lock and the drugs, cannabis, and opioids, as the keys. Cannabis and opioid receptors are also located in the areas of the brain responsible for addiction and behavior.

It is using opioids in conjunction with cannabinoids results in a synergistic reduction of pain. Not only does it enhance the pain-reducing effects, but it also helps to reduce the effects of tolerance build up from excessive use.

Many people ask if cannabis could replace opioids for those that are suffering from chronic pain. A Study done in 2016 surveyed 244 medical cannabis patients in Michigan, where they had experienced a 64% drop in opioid use. Another study done in Israel found that 44% of 176 people surveyed were able to cease opioid-based therapy within six months of starting to use cannabis or cannabis-infused foods.

One of the most difficult aspects of marijuana use is understanding your dosage. Most marijuana doctors recommend with that you start off slowly with marijuana. Over time you can gradually increase the amount of marijuana you use and also the frequency of the dosage until you find a level you are comfortable with.

Finding a marijuana doctor doesn’t have to be a chore. Compassionate Care Consultants will be able to help you find out if your condition qualifies for a medical marijuana card. They specialize in medicinal marijuana in accordance with the guidelines of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) and Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program.