CBD for Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol withdrawal can be a challenging and uncomfortable process, with symptoms like anxiety, nausea, and sleep problems making recovery hard.

As people seek natural ways to ease these symptoms, they are asking if CBD can help with alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

This blog post explores how CBD might support those going through alcohol withdrawal, its potential benefits, and key considerations for safe use in the UK.

Does CBD Help With Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?

CBD can ease alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, nausea, sleep problems, and cravings by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system to promote calm and reduce inflammation.

Taken sublingually, CBD oil can relieve within 15 – 30 minutes, making it a potential complementary tool for managing discomfort.

However, research is still limited, and CBD is not a cure or substitute for professional treatment.

Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous, so always consult a doctor before using CBD, especially if taking other medications.

Choose high-quality, UK-legal CBD products with less than 0.2% THC to ensure safety and effectiveness.

How to Use CBD Oil For Withdrawal from Alcohol

To use CBD oil for alcohol withdrawal symptoms, the most effective method is sublingual administration due to its fast absorption.

Place 5–10 mg (a few drops) of CBD oil under your tongue using the dropper, hold for 60–90 seconds to allow absorption through the mucous membranes, and then swallow.

This delivers effects within 15–30 minutes, ideal for managing acute symptoms like anxiety or nausea.

Or, for longer-lasting relief (4–6 hours), mix the same dose into food or drink or swallow it directly, though effects may take 30–60 minutes to start.

Start with a low dose, 5–10 mg once or twice daily, and increase by 5 mg every few days if needed, up to 20–40 mg daily, based on your response and product instructions.

Full-spectrum CBD oil may offer enhanced benefits due to other cannabis compounds.

Use consistently for a few weeks, tracking symptoms and doses in a journal.

Always consult a doctor before starting, as alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous and CBD may interact with medications.

4 Ways CBD May Help Withdrawal Symptoms from Alcohol

The following are some of the ways CBD helps minimise alcohol withdrawal:

1. CBD Can Help Minimise Depression

If you’ve been taking alcohol frequently for months or years, and then you reduce or stop the intake, one of the common withdrawal symptoms you may experience is depression.

Depression is characterised by persistent low moods and loss of interest in things you previously enjoyed doing.

As this study shows, CBD may help minimise depression.

CBD has calming and relaxant properties, and it helps you gain mental stability and calm, potentially helping you overcome alcohol-related depression.

2. CBD Can Help Manage Anxiety

If you’re battling anxiety, you will feel uptight and nervous and might even suffer from panic attacks.

Anxiety can stop you from living a fulfilling life, as it can cause you to lose focus and diminish your ability to connect with people and develop relationships.

As this study shows, CBD has anxiolytic properties and may help with managing anxiety.

(We wrote a more in-depth post on this link about using CBD to help with anxiety).

3. CBD May Reduce the Effects of Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome is characterised by the uncontrollable urge to move your legs.

This condition causes the victim to feel uncomfortable.

CBD oil has anecdotally been suggested to minimise the symptoms of restless leg syndrome.

4. CBD Can Help with Insomnia

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder where the victim struggles to fall and stay asleep.

Different things, including psychological problems and withdrawal from alcohol use, may cause insomnia.

This study shows that CBD may help manage insomnia thanks to its relaxing and calming properties.

According to anecdotal reports, CBD helps one fall asleep faster and experience deep and restful sleep.

What is the Best CBD Oil to Use for Alcohol Withdrawal?

By far, the most effective and potent form of CBD is full-spectrum CBD oil.

It contains all the most potent compounds related to cannabidiol but does not contain enough THC to create any sort of “high” in the person using it.

(Click here to find out more about our full-spectrum CBD oil.)

CBD Dosage for Withdrawal Symptoms

Can CBD Oil Reduce Cravings for Alcohol?

CBD oil shows promise in reducing alcohol cravings, a key challenge during withdrawal.

Early research suggests CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which regulates mood, stress, and reward pathways in the brain.

By influencing these pathways, CBD may help lessen the urge to drink.

For example, studies in animal models and some human trials have indicated that CBD can reduce cue-induced cravings for substances, including alcohol, by calming the brain’s reward system.

Additionally, CBD’s ability to reduce anxiety and stress, which are common triggers for alcohol use.

However, research is still in its early stages, and results vary.

Related Post: CBD oil withdrawal symptoms.

Understanding Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol withdrawal is a set of symptoms that may occur when someone who has been drinking alcohol regularly for an extended period stops drinking.

These symptoms can range from mild to severe and can include anxiety, insomnia, tremors, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and seizures.

Alcohol withdrawal happens because the body has become dependent on alcohol to function normally.

When someone drinks regularly, their body adapts to the presence of alcohol and begins to rely on it to maintain certain levels of neurotransmitters and other chemicals in the brain.

When the alcohol is suddenly removed, the body struggles to regulate these levels on its own, leading to the symptoms of withdrawal.

It’s important to address alcohol withdrawal because it can be a dangerous and potentially life-threatening condition.

Severe symptoms like seizures and delirium tremens can occur in some cases, which require immediate medical attention.

Even mild symptoms can be uncomfortable and interfere with daily life, making it more challenging to stay sober.

Lisa’s Top Tip

As many of us sadly do, I have my own experience of people struggling with alcoholism and giving up drinking.

I always recommend that people in this position keep close contact with their doctor and, ideally, a specially trained addiction counsellor.

But I also think that careful use of CBD to help reduce withdrawal symptoms makes a lot of sense.

UK Support for Problematic Drinking

Here are some places you can turn to for help if you or someone you know has issues with drinking too much:

• This link from the NHS has some helpful advice and links to more resources. Click here…
• Drink Aware can also help you find help for yourself or someone you know. Click here…
• Humankind offers direct support for people with drink and drug addiction problems. Click here…
• Alcohol Change UK offers direct help for people struggling with alcohol addiction. Click here…

Final Notes on Using CBD Oil for Alcohol Withdrawal

CBD oil can’t cure problems related to alcohol withdrawal symptoms, but it can reduce the effects of some of the symptoms.

In particular, it can help reduce or alleviate depression, anxiety, restless legs syndrome and insomnia.

So if you or someone you love is battling alcohol addiction and the withdrawal symptoms that accompany it may be worth giving it a go.

However, please always consult your doctor if you are worried about anything related to alcohol addiction and related symptoms.