Marijuana – by Those who report consuming cannabis two or three times per week are less likely to engage in at risk drinking behavior, according to data published online in The American Journal of Addictions.
Investigators from Sweden’s Lund University, Department of Clinical Sciences, analyzed data from a nationwide survey on alcohol and drug use conducted by the National Institute of Public Health. Over 22,000 respondents between the ages of 15 and 64 participated in the survey.
Researchers reported that frequent cannabis consumers (defined as having used cannabis two or three times per week) were less likely to engage in hazardous drinking practices compared to infrequent users (those who reported having consumed cannabis fewer than four times per month).
They concluded: “In the present study, it has been shown that, in the Swedish general population, cannabis use is associated with a higher prevalence of other illicit drug use and hazardous alcohol use. Among cannabis users, frequent cannabis use is associated with a higher prevalence of other illicit drug use and a lower prevalence of hazardous alcohol use when compared to occasional cannabis use. … … The inverse relationship between the frequency of cannabis use and hazardous drinking has not been reported before to our knowledge. … This may indicate that cannabis users and alcohol users are different groups, albeit with a high degree of overlap between groups, with different characteristics and clinical needs.”
A review paper published in February in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism similarly acknowledged that some cannabis consumers likely substitute the plant for alcohol. It concluded: “While more research and improved study designs are needed to better identify the extent and impact of cannabis substitution on those affected by AUD (alcohol use disorders), cannabis does appear to be a potential substitute for alcohol. Perhaps more importantly, cannabis is both safer and potentially less addictive than benzodiazepines and other pharmaceuticals that have been evaluated as substitutes for alcohol.”
An abstract of the study, “Alcohol and drug use in groups of cannabis users: Results from a survey on drug use in the Swedish general population,” appears here.
http://www.marijuana.com/news/2014/04/study-shows-chronic-pot-smokers-drink-less-alcohol/
Oh Yes, and I have noticed that too.
I have noticed that when Herb in my area costs between 65 and 85 $ for just a 1/8 oz – and for me that would only be maybe a one day or so supply – that myself and others that cannot afford that cost started to turn to heavy drinking.
Yea, and another thing that I noticed is that with the so called medical crap they got now days is that it is potent but they bred out the finer qualities of strains like the central mexican and jamaican strains. Yea, you can still get thoes strain if you are very very lucky.
Yes, alcohol will eventually kill ya and I think that that is why the govt. still doesn`t want the Herb legalized as they know exactly what they are doing.
Yea GOOD article #1, Thanks eh 😉
Actually, I feel that alcohol and cigarettes are the gateway drugs which lead to smoking pot. If you think about it, pot gives you the (euphoric) relief benefits of cigarettes and tobacco combined. Furthermore, the cost of pot, versus the combined cost of tobacco and alcohol are about the same when consumed on a daily basis. The only difference is that pot won’t harm your health or kill you. So the overall costs of pot on your health and wallet are less.
It really makes you wonder what logic they used in order to make pot illegal.
Well, there logic is is that they are now and always have been a bunch of drunks in the white house.
Yes digger, I remember the millennium.
Yea, years of selective breeding top strains ruined by one M F`er. 🙁 🙁 grrrr
What an a$$hole.
“…cannabis does appear to be a potential substitute for alcohol.”
“Perhaps more importantly, cannabis is both safer and potentially less addictive than benzodiazepines and other pharmaceuticals that have been evaluated as substitutes for alcohol.”
Both absolutely true.
Can I get a witness???
Smoking more pot means drinking less alcohol? They needed a study to determine this? Crap, all they had to do was ask me.
And what would your analysis be? Just askin` ya know 🙂
Are you one of those bar flies ? hehehe
LIGHT EM IF YA GOTTEM!!
Exactly is what I say too Paul. I know damned well it did good by me dang it 🙂 others say that too
Hey Dan i know of some who use it for their health. Its an herb as you well know, and is there for healing.
Yes I have studied it since the mid – late 60`s when it wasn`t even popular. Yes I still think it is a gift from GOD
It has been my religeon since the mid 60`s 🙂
agreed sir.