Review Examines Whether Alcohol Treatment Drugs Could Help Cannabis Users Too | Research

The takeaway

A review of interactions between cannabinoids and alcohol treatment medications (disulfiram, acamprosate, naltrexone) found these drugs may have effects relevant to cannabis use disorder, but evidence remains limited.

Read this if you use cannabis and are also being treated for alcohol use disorder, or are interested in medication options for cannabis dependence.

Three alcohol treatment drugs show potential interactions with the endocannabinoid system

What the researchers found

Cannabis is frequently used alongside alcohol, and many people who use cannabis also take medications for alcohol use disorder (AUD) or alcohol withdrawal. This review examined the interactions between cannabinoids and three common alcohol treatment medications.

Disulfiram, acamprosate, and naltrexone each interact with the endocannabinoid system in different ways. Some preclinical evidence suggests these medications may have effects relevant to cannabis use as well, either through direct pharmacological interactions or through shared neural pathways.

The review also highlighted the complexity of co-occurring cannabis and alcohol use, where medications intended for one substance may inadvertently affect the other. Understanding these interactions is important for clinicians managing patients with both conditions.

Why it matters

With no approved medications for cannabis use disorder, repurposing existing alcohol treatment drugs could provide a shortcut to treatment options. Understanding how these drugs interact with the endocannabinoid system is a necessary first step.

The numbers in context

Three alcohol treatment medications reviewed: disulfiram, acamprosate, naltrexone. Each has distinct interactions with the endocannabinoid system.

How the study worked

Narrative review summarizing preclinical and clinical evidence on interactions between cannabinoids and medications used for alcohol use disorder and alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

What this study cannot tell us

Limited clinical evidence for cannabinoid-specific effects of alcohol medications. Most evidence is preclinical. The review covers a broad topic area with limited depth in specific interactions.

How to read the evidence

Narrative review synthesizing mostly preclinical evidence. No systematic search methodology described.

When this study was published

Published in 2016. Research on pharmacotherapies for cannabis use disorder has continued to evolve.

The bigger picture

The high rate of co-occurring alcohol and cannabis use means clinicians frequently encounter patients using both substances. Understanding the bidirectional interactions between alcohol treatment medications and cannabinoids is essential for safe and effective treatment.

Questions still open

Could disulfiram, acamprosate, or naltrexone be repurposed for cannabis use disorder treatment? Do these medications affect cannabis use patterns in patients being treated for alcohol problems?

Common questions

Could alcohol treatment drugs help with cannabis dependence?

Some preclinical evidence suggests alcohol treatment medications interact with the endocannabinoid system in ways that might be relevant, but clinical evidence specifically for cannabis use disorder is very limited.

Is it safe to use cannabis while taking alcohol treatment medications?

This review highlights that interactions exist between cannabinoids and alcohol medications. Patients using both should discuss this with their healthcare provider.

Read the original research

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

Neurotoxicity research, 30(4), 698-714

View on PubMed ↗

Citation

Kleczkowska, Patrycja; Smaga, Irena; Filip, Małgorzata; Bujalska-Zadrozny, Magdalena. (2016). Are Alcohol Anti-relapsing and Alcohol Withdrawal Drugs Useful in Cannabinoid Users?. Neurotoxicity research, 30(4), 698-714.