What addiction is
A substance use disorder involves impaired control over use, continued use despite harm and, for some people, tolerance or withdrawal. Cannabis can itself produce a substance use disorder. That question is separate from research into cannabinoids for dependence on opioids, alcohol or stimulants.
Cannabis research on Addiction and substance use
Budney and Hughes reviewed clinical and laboratory evidence on cannabis withdrawal. The recognised pattern includes irritability, anxiety, disturbed sleep and reduced appetite after regular use stops. Symptoms and severity vary, but withdrawal can contribute to relapse.
Danovitch and Gorelick reviewed treatments for cannabis dependence. Behavioural approaches had the clearest support, while medication studies had not produced an established pharmacological treatment. Some trials used oral THC to reduce withdrawal, but reducing withdrawal did not establish sustained abstinence.
Hall and Degenhardt reviewed the wider health effects of non-medical cannabis use. Their review supports dependence as a real outcome of frequent use and places it alongside cognitive, respiratory and mental-health risks. It does not measure prescribed cannabis in monitored clinical care.
These studies primarily examine cannabis as the substance causing dependence. They do not establish cannabis or a cannabinoid as treatment for another substance use disorder.
Compounds studied for Addiction and substance use
THC is the cannabinoid most directly connected with intoxication, tolerance, withdrawal and cannabis dependence. Oral THC has been investigated as a way to reduce withdrawal symptoms, but it is not an established treatment for cannabis use disorder.
CBD has been discussed as a possible research target in addiction, but the three studies in this evidence register do not establish CBD as a treatment for cannabis, opioid, alcohol or stimulant dependence.
The evidence register contains no condition-specific human study of a terpene for addiction. Terpene links have therefore not been added simply to fill a template.
Limits of the evidence for Addiction and substance use
The evidence is strongest for the existence of cannabis dependence and withdrawal. It is much weaker for medication treatment of cannabis dependence, and the cited studies do not support using cannabis to replace opioids, alcohol or stimulants.
Population associations and biological mechanisms cannot show that substitution works for an individual. A treatment claim would need controlled human trials with clearly defined products and outcomes such as abstinence, relapse and adverse events.
Related conditions
- Anxiety: anxiety can appear during withdrawal
- Sleep problems: sleep disruption is a common withdrawal symptom
- Depression and low mood: mood symptoms and substance use often overlap
Read next
Sources
1. Budney AJ, Hughes JR. The cannabis withdrawal syndrome. Current Opinion in Psychiatry. 2006;19(3):233-238. Study record
2. Danovitch I, Gorelick DA. State of the art treatments for cannabis dependence. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2012;35(2):309-326. Study record
3. Hall W, Degenhardt L. The adverse health and psychological effects of non-medical cannabis use. Lancet. 2009;374(9698):1383-1391. Study record
