Doctors Desperately Seek Tools to Battle Opioid Epidemic, Turn to Cannabinoids for New Solutions
The opioid epidemic has ravaged communities across the country, leaving doctors scrambling for effective tools to combat the crisis. In a bold move, researchers have turned to cannabinoids as a potential solution for opioid use disorder (OUD). Their latest study, “An Answered Call for Aid? Cannabinoid Clinical Framework for the Opioid Epidemic,” published in the Harm Reduction Journal, provides a comprehensive framework for utilizing cannabinoids to treat chronic pain and help patients wean off of opioids.
According to the researchers, “cannabinoids stand to be one of the most interesting, safe, and accessible tools available to attenuate the devastation resulting from the misuse and abuse of opioid narcotics.” With the urgency of the opioid epidemic, the authors recommend implementing this clinical framework in both research and patient care settings.
Recent studies have also shown the potential of CBD in treating cannabis use disorder, making it a promising option for OUD as well. Researchers are also exploring the potential of THC and other acidic cannabinoids in this battle. While cannabis may not work in the same way as opioids, it has been known anecdotally to provide relief for low-to-moderate levels of pain.
The open-access framework includes recommendations for tapering off of opioids, in line with the CDC’s latest clinical practice guidelines. As opioid deaths continue to plague the nation, patients are increasingly turning to cannabis for self-medication, while researchers struggle to establish standardized protocols and providers hesitate to recommend cannabinoids without clear guidelines.
The researchers acknowledge that many of their patients have already begun their own journey into pain management with cannabinoids. By recognizing cannabis as a harm reduction tool and providing a clinical framework for its use, researchers and providers can work together to support patients and make informed recommendations for safe and effective pain management. This comprehensive, evidence-based framework is one of the first of its kind and has the potential to make a significant impact in the fight against the opioid epidemic.
As the confusion around opioid use continues, with many questioning who truly needs these powerful drugs, the researchers hope that their framework will provide much-needed guidance and support for both patients and providers. With overdose deaths continuing to rise, it is crucial that we explore all possible solutions, including the use of cannabinoids, in the battle against the opioid epidemic.
