What to Know Before Weaning From Opioids With Medical Marijuana
Marijuana’s increasing cultural acceptance over the last several years has opened the door to discussions about using the plant to reduce dependence on opioids, sleeping pills, and antidepressants. Interest is especially strong in the opioid camp given that we continue to struggle with what has been referred to as the opioid crisis.
It turns out that it is possible for some people to wean themselves from opioids by using medical marijuana instead. The process is rarely simple or quick. But with a solid plan and the guidance of medical professionals, it can be done.
If you would like to know more, I personally recommend checking out an introductory guide put out by the utahmarijuana.org website. You can find it here. I will use the rest of this post to highlight some of my favorite points presented as things you should know before weaning yourself from opioids with medical marijuana.
Consult With Your Doctor
Assuming your doctor is the one who prescribed opioids for your condition, it is important that you consult with them regarding your plans to wean yourself using medical marijuana. Whoever is responsible for writing your opioid prescription needs to be consulted. In addition, be honest about your plans.
There are serious side effects related to opioid withdrawal. You are going to need your doctor’s help to get through the process safely. If your doctor refuses to help due to an objection to medical marijuana, it may be time to find a new doctor.
Consult With Your Cannabis Provider
It is also a wise idea to consult regularly with your cannabis provider. Of course, this assumes that you are utilizing state-approved medical cannabis. Your cannabis provider would either be the medical provider who recommended cannabis or the pharmacist at your local dispensary.
Either way, consulting with your cannabis dispenser is all about coming up with a workable treatment plan that allows you to safely transition to medical marijuana. This sort of thing is exactly what cannabis providers specialize in.
Don’t Be in a Rush
If your motivation for weaning yourself from opioids is the fact that you do not like how opioids make you feel, you may be tempted to get through the process as quickly as possible. That is a bad idea. Don’t be in a rush. Take your time; take enough time to make the transition from opioids to medical marijuana as gradual as possible.
Moving too quickly could lead to consequences you really do not want to deal with. At the very least, rushing through the process could make you more uncomfortable then you are now. There is no need for it.
Patient Results Vary
One last thing to know is that results vary among patients. Some patients are able to get completely off their opioid medications over time. Others are only able to cut down to smaller doses. There is no right or wrong result. Even if you can only reduce your opioids consumption by 50%, you will be better off for doing so.
Along these same lines, avoid the temptation of comparing your results with someone else’s. You are your own person dealing with your medical conditions in your own way. What you do with medical marijuana and prescription opioids is unique to your circumstances.
It is possible to reduce opioid consumption by substituting it with medical marijuana. People all over the country have done it. Many are doing it right now. If you are on prescription opioids and your state allows medical marijuana as an alternative treatment, look into it. Weaning yourself from opioids could be the best thing you ever did for your health.
