Does CBD Count as a Relapse?

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace expert medical or mental health advice. Cannabis and CBD use require a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation by a qualified clinician. So, always refer to a licensed mental health specialist for specialized medical advice.

Recovery is a challenging journey, but staying in recovery can be equally challenging. So, when you are in recovery - does taking cannabidiol (CBD) count as a relapse? This can be tricky. CBD is an extract from the cannabis plant, but it is not psychoactive in the same way as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is - in that it will not give you a sense of high or euphoria.

Using CBD is not the same as using THC, as CBD does not produce the same intoxicating "high" associated with THC. While it comes from the cannabis plant, CBD products may still contain THC, depending on how they are produced and labeled. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has raised concerns about the quality, safety, and labeling of consumer CBD products and notes that many products have not been evaluated for safety or effectiveness.

While it comes from the cannabis plant, the World Health Organization (WHO) says that pure CBD does not appear to have the same potential for dependence as THC.

Peer-reviewed studies published in the National Library of Medicine (NLM) say that, unlike THC, CBD does not target either CB1 or CB2 receptors in the brain and other regions in the body directly. So, it does not increase dopamine and, hence, is not inherently rewarding.

While CBD does not increase dopamine, it impacts other neurotransmitters like GABA and serotonin.

GABA can reduce anxiety, while serotonin regulates mood - it also impacts anxiety and depressive symptoms.

CBD is being studied for its benefits, and comparing lab studies, animal studies, and human clinical trials, experts found limited consistency between the outcomes. However, CBD appears to be safe, as even high doses used for neuropsychiatric conditions do not reach levels in the blood that lead to toxicity.

Most cannabinoid-related studies have focused on psychoactive compounds, and future studies should explore CBD derivatives that target specific conditions more precisely, such as anxiety, sleep, or blood pressure. Presently, several clinical trials are also studying CBD’s potential benefits for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

CBD may not be psychoactive in the same way as THC, but the question of whether using CBD constitutes a relapse does not have one universal answer. Recovery programs and fellowships can have different approaches to cannabis-derived products, and a person’s treatment plan or abstinence agreement may also define relapse differently.

There is also a practical concern: some commercially available CBD products have been found to contain THC that was not accurately disclosed on the label. In one analysis of 80 unregulated CBD products, THC was detected in 52 products, including five products labeled "THC-Free." Other inquiries also found substantial discrepancies between CBD product labels and their actual contents.

This matters in recovery, as consuming a CBD product containing THC can mean unintentionally using a psychoactive cannabis compound. THC exposure can also result in a positive cannabis drug test, depending on the product and the amount consumed.

Recovery is a lifelong journey that needs to be a priority every day going forward. Cannabis use disorder is a substance use disorder (addiction), which is a chronic condition and needs to be controlled like other chronic conditions - for example, diabetes.

Some reasons why CBD counts as a relapse are:

• It can interrupt your recovery. Using CBD can be a sign that you are not ready to be sober yet.
• CBD products are not regulated uniformly, and product labeling may not always properly reflect THC content.
• CBD impacts GABA and serotonin, which impact anxiety and depressive symptoms. Using it for these reasons can open the door to misusing other substances in the future. Peer-reviewed studies also indicate that the prevalence of CBD tends to be higher among those who use marijuana.
• It can interfere with other medications for your substance use or mental health concerns. Typically, substance use tends to co-occur at a high prevalence with mental health conditions, so taking CBD without consulting your doctors or therapists can do more harm than good.

While the answer may vary from person to person - and there is no single recovery-wide rule that defines CBD use as a relapse in every circumstance - ideally, speak about CBD with your doctor or therapist before using it in recovery. If your treatment program calls for complete abstinence from cannabis-derived products, avoiding CBD may be consistent with that plan.

This is particularly important, as commercially available CBD products can contain undeclared THC, making it difficult to know exactly what you are consuming.

However, if you find that CBD helps you with anxiety, pain, or other stressors - it is better to refer to your doctor or therapist on how you can handle these challenges instead of using CBD.

For instance, you can try cognitive behavioral therapy or other therapeutic modalities to get to the bottom of these underlying patterns and learn healthier, productive coping skills to deal with life’s ups and downs.

If you are confused regarding using CBD in recovery - reach out to the NuView Treatment Center today. Our licensed and experienced experts are always available to answer your queries and explore personalized recovery options with you.

Please do not hesitate to connect with our experts at (323) 307-7997 now!

1. Is CBD psychoactive?

CBD is psychoactive in that it impacts your mind and body. However, it does not produce the same high as THC does.

2. Is CBD addictive?

Pure CBD does not appear to have the same dependence potential as THC. However, this does not mean that every commercially available CBD product is free from THC or other substances. Product quality and labeling can vary.

3. Is it safe to use CBD in recovery?

There is no universal answer. CBD itself does not produce the same high as THC, but consumer CBD products may contain THC that is not accurately disclosed on the label. Whether using CBD is compatible with recovery depends on your treatment program, recovery goals, and the definition of abstinence you are following.

4. Is using CBD to control anxiety or depressive symptoms healthy?

CBD is being studied for a range of potential effects, but the FDA has raised concerns about the safety, quality, drug interactions, and unproven health claims associated with many consumer CBD products. If you are considering CBD for anxiety or depressive symptoms, speak with your doctor or therapist rather than using it as a substitute for established treatment.

5. Can I use CBD responsibly in recovery?

That depends on your personalized treatment program and recovery goals. If your recovery requires complete abstinence from cannabis or cannabis-derived products, CBD may not be consistent with those goals. It is also crucial to remember that some CBD products contain THC despite being labeled as CBD or THC-free. Speak about CBD use with your doctor or therapist before taking it in recovery.