Are Alcohol Anti-relapsing and Alcohol Withdrawal Drugs Useful in Cannabinoid Users?

Cannabinoids, despite their illegal status, have recognized therapeutic potential and are often used recreationally by young adults, sometimes as an alternative to other drugs or to enhance pleasure. They are frequently taken alongside medications for alcohol use disorder (AUD) and alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS), such as disulfiram, acamprosate, and naltrexone. This paper reviews recent findings on possible beneficial effects and interactions between cannabinoids and these AUD/AWS medications, whether the conditions are comorbid or separate.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Cannabinoids are still classified as illegal psychoactive drugs despite their broad and increasingly acknowledged therapeutic potential. These substances are most famous for their wide recreational use, particularly among young adults to either alter the state of consciousness, intensify pleasure induced by other psychoactive substances or as an alternative to the previously abused drugs. It is important to emphasize that cannabinoids are often taken together with a variety of medications intended for the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD) or alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). These medications include disulfiram, acamprosate, and naltrexone. In this paper, we summarize recent advances in the knowledge of possible beneficial effects and interactions between cannabinoids and drugs commonly used for treatment of AUD and AWS either comorbid or existing as a separate disorder.