Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is one of the most widespread and harmful substance-related conditions in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 95,000 deaths annually are linked to excessive alcohol consumption. While many seek traditional treatment through rehabilitation centers or support groups, a growing number are exploring alternative methods, like marijuana maintenance, to ease the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
The use of cannabis (also known as weed or marijuana) as a harm-reduction tool during alcohol detox is gaining attention. But is it safe? Can marijuana really help manage the difficult symptoms that occur when someone quits drinking? This article explores those questions and more, offering a balanced view of this evolving topic.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment or recovery plan.
While cannabis has long been viewed as a low-risk or “soft” drug, emerging clinical data reveal that marijuana withdrawal is a real and diagnosable condition, the condition, known in the DSM-5 as Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome (CWS), can affect a significant portion of regular and heavy users, especially those who consume marijuana daily or multiple times per week.
Research shows that approximately 30–35% of regular marijuana users will experience some degree of withdrawal symptoms when they stop using the drug. The risk is notably higher among individuals with long-term or heavy use patterns or co-occurring mental health conditions (Martínez et al., 2024). The risk is notably higher among:
Marijuana withdrawal is not typically dangerous, but it can be psychologically distressing, leading to irritability, restlessness, sleep difficulties, decreased appetite, and intense cravings. These symptoms usually begin within 24–72 hours of cessation, reach their peak within the first week, and gradually subside over 1–2 weeks.
When using marijuana to assist in alcohol withdrawal or recovery, it’s crucial to understand that swapping one substance for another doesn’t eliminate the risk of dependency. If marijuana is used heavily or daily as a replacement for alcohol, there’s a chance of developing cross-dependence, where the person begins to rely on cannabis for the same reasons they once relied on alcohol—stress relief, sleep aid, emotional numbing, or social ease.
Moreover, people quitting alcohol often experience intense emotional fluctuations. Adding marijuana withdrawal symptoms on top of that can complicate recovery, making it harder to stabilize emotionally or mentally.
Using alcohol and marijuana together—a practice sometimes called “crossfading“—is not uncommon, especially among young adults and partygoers. However, the interaction between these two substances can produce intensified and unpredictable effects, leading to both immediate health risks and long-term consequences.
Both substances act as central nervous system depressants, but they interact with the brain through different pathways. Alcohol affects GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors, creating sedative effects and lowering inhibitions. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (the psychoactive component of marijuana) primarily interacts with the endocannabinoid system, affecting mood, perception, coordination, and short-term memory.
When taken together, these substances can lead to:
One of the most uncomfortable consequences of mixing cannabis and alcohol is what’s known as “greening out“—a condition where the user experiences nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and dizziness after consuming both substances, particularly when alcohol is consumed before marijuana. Alcohol increases THC absorption in the bloodstream, which may intensify the psychoactive effects of marijuana beyond the user’s comfort level.
Symptoms of greening out may include:
In addition to physical symptoms, alcohol and cannabis can interfere with cognitive function and judgment. When used together:
For those in recovery, a history of mixing alcohol and marijuana can complicate the detox process. The body becomes accustomed to processing two substances simultaneously, and withdrawing from one can leave the brain dysregulated in unexpected ways. For instance, someone who used both to relax may find neither effective on its own, intensifying cravings or leading to relapse.
Furthermore, polysubstance use—mixing multiple substances—is linked to poorer treatment outcomes, higher relapse rates, and more severe withdrawal symptoms.
Effective management of alcohol withdrawal depends on the severity of the symptoms. For mild to moderate withdrawal, rest, hydration, healthy food, and supportive environments are helpful. Supplements like vitamin B1 (thiamine) and magnesium are often recommended to address nutritional deficiencies common in long-term drinkers.
For moderate to severe symptoms, especially when experiencing hallucinations, seizures, or extreme agitation, medical supervision is critical. Detoxing under the care of a physician or in a rehabilitation center ensures safety and access to medications such as benzodiazepines, which are often prescribed to manage symptoms and prevent complications.
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for safe detox strategies.
There is anecdotal evidence and early-stage research suggesting that marijuana may help reduce certain alcohol withdrawal symptoms, particularly anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia. Some individuals use cannabis as a harm-reduction tool to alleviate cravings or promote sleep during early sobriety.
However, this approach is controversial and not universally recommended. While marijuana may help with short-term symptom management, it carries the risk of dependency and may delay the development of healthier coping mechanisms. Some treatment programs discourage cannabis use due to concerns about cross-addiction or psychological dependence.
Alcohol detox starts the moment you stop drinking, and your body begins to metabolize and eliminate ethanol from your system. The liver plays a key role, but the full process includes:
Detox timelines vary but usually begin within 6–12 hours of your last drink and can last up to a week or more, depending on usage levels and individual health.
Disclaimer: Always consult a medical professional before attempting detox, especially if you’ve been drinking heavily or for a prolonged period.
Yes. Marijuana can affect how alcohol impacts the body, but not by increasing your physical tolerance to alcohol. Instead, using marijuana alongside alcohol can intensify the feeling of intoxication, making you feel drunker than you actually are. This combination may alter your perception, reduce self-control, and increase the risk of drinking more than intended. However, marijuana does not create a cross-tolerance with alcohol, meaning using one doesn’t make you more resistant to the effects of the other.
Several strategies can help reduce the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms:
Again, the best approach depends on individual health history and drinking patterns. Always seek guidance from a qualified provider.
For most people, the third day (Day 3) of quitting alcohol is often the most physically and mentally challenging. This is typically when withdrawal symptoms peak, including:
In more severe cases, this may also be when delirium tremens (DTs) can occur, potentially life-threatening symptoms that require immediate medical attention. After this peak, symptoms often begin to decline in intensity, though mental and emotional challenges may persist for several weeks.
Marijuana withdrawal is generally milder than alcohol or opioid withdrawal, but it can still be uncomfortable and disruptive, especially for long-term or heavy users. Common symptoms include:
These symptoms typically start within 24–72 hours, peak within the first week, and may last up to two weeks. Psychological symptoms—like cravings or emotional instability—can last longer.
The duration of alcohol withdrawal depends on usage patterns and individual health, but a general timeline looks like this:
Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), a less intense but lingering form of withdrawal, can continue for weeks or months, especially affecting mood and motivation.
There is limited and conflicting evidence on whether marijuana has a protective effect on the liver. Some early observational studies suggest that cannabis users may show less liver scarring (fibrosis) compared to non-users with similar alcohol intake (Adejumo et al., 2018), but this has not been proven conclusively.
Additionally, cannabis use affects endocannabinoid receptors in the liver, which could influence inflammation and fat accumulation. However, much of this research is still in experimental stages, and the risks of marijuana use, especially heavy or chronic, are not fully understood in the context of liver health.
Until more definitive research is available, it is not advisable to use cannabis as a liver-protective agent.
The most successful path to long-term sobriety is highly individualized, but commonly includes:
Crucially, long-term success comes from addressing the underlying causes of alcohol use, whether emotional, psychological, or social, and replacing the behavior with sustainable alternatives.
