CBD for addiction recovery

Can CBD help prevent relapse in recovering addicts?

A staggering 1 in 10 Americans struggle with addiction of some kind, a heartbreaking statistic that I pray will decrease with time. It is heartbreaking to me to hear all of the stories of people who struggle with addiction. Addiction has touched my life just as it has many people. I have had many family members struggle with many different types of drugs. Opiates, alcohol, even food and gambling. I myself am a recovering alcoholic.... We all have one thing in common. The addiction takes over the addicts life completely.
The addiction is in control.... No matter how much they & their families are hurt by it, the addiction doesn't care... No matter how hard they fight, the addiction 
always wins.
Recovery is a lifestyle for us. Many things need to change. Sometimes we have to cut people that we love from our lives... Some of us have to move geographical locations in order to manage our triggers.
Addicts that I have been around and spoken to really struggle with 2 very key things. The fear of withdrawal, and despising the side effects of the traditional medications used to treat addiction. The fear of the symptoms of withdrawal is many times enough to keep an addict in the midst of their addiction. Quitting the medications that are used to treat addiction can come with it's own set of withdrawal symptoms. And the merry go round just keeps on going round.

Many people think "addict" and think of the homeless junkie who lives under a bridge, but I submit to you that addiction does not care who you are. I have counseled so many people who fell into trouble when the doctor wrote the prescription to them in the first place has to cut back on his prescribing and pulls them off of their medication completely. The biggest problem we are facing today is that our medical system has created a huge part of this problem. Today the crackdown on opiate addiction leaves pain patients in the weeds and some turn to the black market. It's an ugly and slippery slope that can ruin lives. Addiction doesn't care if you are young, old, rich, or poor. Addiction. Does. Not. Care. 

I had my own run in with the effects of withdrawal in April 2018. I quit taking prescription narcotics for back pain (you can read my story here ) & I braced myself for the symptoms of withdrawal that even accompany quitting even responsible use of any kind of narcotic. I was amazed that the symptoms were no where near what they should have been. I should have experienced at least some of the physical symptoms of withdrawal such as vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, etc. and I did not experience these at all. Don't get me wrong, I felt horrible thru it but it was absolutely not as bad as it should have been. I had been taking some combination of 4 narcotics for over 15 years, I should have absolutely suffered more than I did during the detox phase.  I'm completely convinced that it is because I began taking CBD the day after I quit the meds. I say all that to let those of you who are terrified of the withdrawal that there is absolutely hope. It's not easy and you are gonna have to put in the work, but it is absolutely possible to live a healthier more productive life free from the restraints of any addictive substance.
I recently read a 
study published in 2018 of the treatment potential of CBD for the prevention of relapse. Project CBD is a great resource for many studies and articles regarding the therapeutic uses of CBD. They have compiled a list of various studies regarding CBD for treating addiction. Those links can be found here.
For too many years there has been so much propaganda labeling cannabis as a "gateway drug", and people I'm here to submit to you that it is quite the opposite.... It is very much an exit to gain freedom from that which haunts you.


If you are struggling with addiction and need someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to reach out to me and I will be happy to listen.


Click 
here for a testimonial on patients using CBD to help wean off of opiates and reduce withdrawal symptoms.


Rustic Oils CBD Of Lee's Summit LLC Blog

By Rachel Crawford January 28, 2026
We’ve all had that moment.... . During a belly rub, you feel it—a new "lump or bump" that wasn't there last week. Your heart sinks, and suddenly, nothing else matters than the health of your fur baby This is where the ancient wisdom of mushrooms like Turkey Tail and Reishi steps in. Think of them as nature’s quiet protectors. I have given them to Abbey for a couple of years but I so wish I would have started from the beginning. Turkey Tail is the "Immune Architect." It’s packed with beta-glucans that help the body’s natural defenses recognize and respond to cellular changes. It’s like giving your dog’s immune system a pair of glasses so it can see exactly where it needs to go to work. Reishi is often called the "Mushroom of Immortality," but for our pups, it’s the "Mushroom of Zen." It supports longevity, helps manage the body’s response to occasional stress, and provides much-needed relief for those pesky seasonal allergies. When we combine these in our homemade treats or as a food topper, we aren't just feeding them; we’re fighting for more "zoomies," more tail wags, and more years of companionship. Why We Trust Verdant Leaf When it comes to our pets, "good enough" isn't an option. That’s why I’ve always been uncompromising about the brands I bring into the shop. Verdant Leaf is the gold standard for clean, reliable supplements for a few very specific reasons: Purity First: Their powders are free from the fillers, grains, and "fluff" that often plague commercial pet supplements. You are getting 100% functional mushroom power. Transparent Sourcing: They prioritize high-quality extraction methods, ensuring the beneficial compounds (like those vital beta-glucans) are actually bioavailable for your dog to absorb. Tested & Trusted: Every batch is held to rigorous standards, so you can feel confident that what’s on the label is exactly what’s in the bowl. Using a clean brand like Verdant Leaf ensures that your "fur baby" is getting the support they deserve without any of the junk they don't. Here are links to Verdant Leaf Turkey Tail & Verdant Leaf Reishi Recipes you can make at home! I actually use these powders as a topper for Abbey's food or I make a mushroom broth for her to drink, but you can also create these yummy treats at home for pups that are a little pickier "Immune-Boost" No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls Best for: Quick prep and masking the earthy mushroom taste. Ingredients : 1 cup Oat flour (or blended rolled oats) 1/2 cup Natural peanut butter (ensure it is Xylitol-free) 1/4 cup Unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana. Verdant Leaf Powder: 1/4 {1/8 tsp each species, or 1/4 tsp if you are using only one species} tsp per 10 lbs of dog weight (totaled for the batch size) Instructions : Mix the mushroom powder into the peanut butter and applesauce until well-blended. Stir in the oat flour until a dough forms. Roll into bite-sized balls based on the dog's daily dosage needs. Store in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for longer. Sweet Potato & Reishi "Cookies" Best for: Dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies. Ingredients: 1 cup Mashed cooked sweet potato 1 1/2 cups Brown rice flour (or whole wheat flour if tolerated) 1 Egg Verdant Leaf Powder: Calculate total dosage for the number of cookies (e.g., if making 20 cookies and the dog needs 1/2 tsp daily {1/4 tsp each species, or 1/2 tsp of any single species}, add 10 tsp to the batch). Instructions : Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).Mix all ingredients into a dough. Roll out and cut into shapes. Bake for 20–25 minutes until firm. Golden Mushroom Bone Broth (Liquid Topper) Best for: Older dogs who might enjoy a warm topper on their meals. Ingredients : 2 cups Low-sodium beef or chicken bone broth (onion/garlic-free) 1/2 tsp Turmeric (for extra anti-inflammatory benefits) Dash of black pepper (needed to activate anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric) 1 tsp coconut oil, beef tallow, or fish oil Verdant Leaf Powder: Whisk in 1/4 {1/8 tsp each species, or 1/4 tsp if you are using only one species} tsp per serving. Instructions : Warm the broth slightly (not boiling).Whisk in the mushroom powder and turmeric until dissolved. Pour over kibble or freeze in ice cube trays for "pupsicles." MUSHROOM DOSING GUIDELINE * Daily Maintenance Dosage (Give once daily for general health) Under 20 lbs: 1/4 teaspoon 20 to 50 lbs: 1/2 teaspoon 50 to 90 lbs: 3/4 teaspoon Over 90 lbs: 1 teaspoon Therapeutic/ Loading Dosage (Give for "lumps and bumps" or the first 2 weeks of use) Under 20 lbs: 1/2 teaspoon 20 to 50 lbs: 1 teaspoon 50 to 90 lbs: 1 & 1/2 teaspoons Over 90 lbs: 2 teaspoons *The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act require this notice.
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