It is important to respect the legal framework in your jurisdiction and consider the social norms and attitudes when making decisions regarding their use. It’s important to note that the severity and likelihood of these long-term effects can vary based on individual factors, including the frequency and quantity of use, overall health, and genetic predispositions. When comparing the effects of weed and alcohol on the body, it’s important to consider both the short-term and long-term consequences of their use.

Overcoming Addiction: Treatment Options and Strategies for Alcohol and Marijuana Dependency

However, alcohol consumption is much higher than cannabis use, which is one factor that can influence mortality rates. While we may not have settled the debate as to whether alcohol or marijuana is worse, we’ve established that both are harmful — refocusing our attention on limiting the consumption of each. “Some people say they feel the effects of cannabis-infused drinks within 15 to 20 minutes, which is much faster than when people eat a cannabis gummie or brownie,” says Dr. Gruber. Those products take at least 30 to 90 minutes to take effect because they must be digested and then processed through your liver, she explains. Beyond this, other factors such as lifestyle, home and work environment, and socio-economic status may all additionally impact whether a person finds weed addictive or not. Research tells us that THC appears to be responsible for cannabis’ addictive potential due to its effects on the brain’s dopamine system.

People attribute it to be a social lubricant that allows people to stave off social anxiety and be more outgoing and talkative. Alcohol detox can take a significant amount of time and have heavy withdrawal symptoms, while cannabis withdrawal can last anywhere from a few days to a couple weeks. It can also be completely out of your system in 1-3 months with you returned to normal levels and function. Additionally, cannabis is not always the only drug or substance that someone might be using.

Weed Addiction Vs Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction is one of the most common forms of substance dependency in the U.S. The timeline for developing addiction varies, influenced by factors like genetics, drinking habits, and individual tolerance. For some, it can take years, while others may develop a dependency within months. Bainbridge said people can react to either alcohol or cannabis differently, even in limited amounts. She warned that both alcohol and cannabis are psychoactive substances that can impair reaction time and cognitive processing, raising the risk of accidents and injuries. It’s possible to develop an emotional or physical dependence on both substances.

• While uncomfortable, they are generally mild compared to alcohol or opioid withdrawal and can be managed with support.
• In 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics released guidelines advising pregnant or nursing women to avoid marijuana use due to the potential risks to themselves and their children.
• Suffice to say that alcohol causes more deaths due to violence, accidents, car crashes, and disease than cannabis to the point where there are ever-growing statistics tracking these numbers.
• The reasons behind this shift are multifaceted, encompassing health considerations, changing social norms, and increased accessibility due to legalization efforts.

Is Weed Safer Than Alcohol?

THC increases dopamine release, and when dopamine is released, the resulting feelings of pleasure can reinforce the potentially addictive effects of the cannabinoid. Long-term heavy cannabis use, however, can blunt the body’s dopamine system. If your dopamine levels stay elevated for too long—due to constant cannabis use, for example—the dopamine system becomes dysfunctional.

How Long Do Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Typically Last?

Marijuana, commonly referred to as weed, has experienced a shift in social acceptance in recent years. While there is still some stigma attached to its use, attitudes towards weed have become more lenient, particularly for medicinal purposes and in certain jurisdictions where it has been legalized. However, it is worth noting that social acceptance of weed varies across different cultures, communities, and age groups. In contrast, simple possession of cannabis can still be a crime in places where it’s not legalized. Over the years, millions of Americans (especially young and minority individuals) have been arrested for cannabis possession, something that doesn’t happen with alcohol.

The degree to which weed or alcohol is addictive–or harmful–cannot be reduced to a single factor. While there’s evidence that weed is comparatively less addictive and less harmful than alcohol, that doesn’t mean it can be used recklessly. Tishler believes that dependence on cannabis is far more common than addiction, which is formally diagnosed as cannabis use disorder. “Cannabis can lead to a dependence rate of about 7%—less than half the alcohol rate—and an addiction rate that is very low but undefined,” explained Tishler. There’s a common perception that cannabis is safer and less addictive than alcohol. For example, in a recent survey of more than 1,000 Americans, alcohol vs marijuana: is one safer than the other respondents ranked alcohol as “somewhat and moderately addictive” compared to “not very or somewhat addictive” for marijuana.

While marijuana use may have some negative consequences, it is considered one of the least toxic drugs, requiring an extremely high dose relative to the typical amount used to induce death. Importantly, there has never been a recorded case of an individual dying from a marijuana overdose. It’s important to approach weed and alcohol consumption with caution, especially if you have pre-existing mental health conditions. If you have concerns or are experiencing mental health issues, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional. To provide a clearer understanding of the differences between weed and alcohol, it’s crucial to explore their effects on the body, social and legal aspects, as well as health considerations. By examining these factors, individuals can make informed decisions and engage in responsible behavior when it comes to substance use.

• This also skews any data because someone engaged in an accident or having a health issue may have more than cannabis in their system.
• As a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, alcohol impacts messaging in our brain and the rest of our body.
• Anyone who’s had a little too much weed or alcohol can likely attest to slurred speech, passing out early, maybe stumbling over, and the like.
• Alcohol is everywhere yet we are well aware of the risks and dangers of alcohol use and abuse.

It is also possible to have a negative experience with marijuana, which can leave you feeling worse for wear the next day. It is used to alleviate arthritis, relieve migraines, aid sleep, and for therapeutic purposes. Marijuana use during pregnancy has been linked to low birth weight in babies. A report by Vox in 2019 highlighted that babies exposed to cannabis in utero tended to have lower birth weights.

For Treatment Providers

Alcohol and cannabis are vastly different but often get lumped together because they are intoxicants. The way they make you feel may make them seem similar but their impact on your body and any lasting damage are not remotely the same. In addition to these resources, it’s important to understand that recovery from any form of addiction is a multifaceted process.

It can also increase the risk of certain cancers and severe, and potentially permanent, brain damage. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS), a brain disorder caused by a thiamine deficiency, is one such example of brain damage caused by alcohol abuse. The debate about alcohol vs. marijuana has grown as society rethinks its views on drug use. Alcohol has long been a part of social gatherings, while marijuana’s recent surge in popularity stems from increasing legalization. Both affect the body and mind in significant ways, but their impacts differ.

The age-old question of which substance is better for your health has no easy answer. Both substances have their pros and cons, and the effects of each can vary greatly from person to person. Alcohol is known to impair thinking and coordination and has serious health consequences when consumed in excess.