Mindful choices and modern medicine: Understanding alcohol, medical cannabis, and the path to wellness

What is Alcohol Awareness Week?

Alcohol Awareness Week is an annual, week-long campaign that aims to raise awareness about the implications of alcohol misuse and promote healthier approaches to alcohol consumption. For 2025, the event, which is organised and run by Alcohol Change UK, runs this week,  from the 7th to the 13th of July, and its theme this year is “understanding alcohol harm”.

What are the harms of alcohol consumption?

Alcohol can have a number of short and long-term implications for our physical and mental health. It is a toxic and psychoactive chemical that can induce dependence. Moreover, alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, alongside asbestos, radiation, and tobacco.

Alcohol and physical health

Countless studies have linked alcohol use to an increased risk of a wide range of health complications, including: 

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Liver disease
• Pancreatitis
• Several kinds of cancer
• Brain damage

Alcohol and mental health

Alcohol misuse has also been linked to a higher incidence of mental health problems, including anxiety, panic disorder, and depression. Evidence indicates that more than one in three individuals who are dependent on alcohol experiences episodes of intense depression and/or severe anxiety.

A socially acceptable form of drug use

Although alcohol is widely available in the UK and many other countries around the world, levels of consumption can vary significantly from person to person. While health organisations stress that no level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health, it remains a common and socially accepted form of recreational drug use. Of course, some patterns of alcohol use present a higher risk to health.

But while alcohol use may present a number of serious risks to our health, many experts believe that asking consumers to simply stop using the substance is unrealistic. After all, humans have been producing and consuming alcoholic beverages almost since the start of history. At its best, alcohol acts as a social lubricant, allowing us to unwind and let go of some of our more restrictive inhibitions. 

As Professor David Nutt, director of the Neuropsychopharmacology Unit at Imperial College London, explains: “80% of people who drink, drink because it helps them relax… [it is] the ultimate social drug.” And as a result, most people are willing to turn a blind eye to the proven harms of alcohol. 

Still, alcohol awareness is crucial for maintaining a healthier relationship with this common drug. Let’s take a look at the different levels of alcohol use and explore ways to be more mindful about drinking. 

Levels of alcohol use

Low-risk alcohol consumption

It is recommended that men and women do not drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week - that’s equivalent to around six pints of average strength beer or cider. To limit the risks of alcohol consumption, it is advised to spread this amount evenly over three or more days, and to have alcohol-free days in between. 

Binge drinking

In the UK, “binge” drinking is typically defined as drinking six or more units for women or eight or more units for men in a single session. Sometimes, this may also be described as “drinking to get drunk”. This pattern of alcohol consumption can be associated with short-term risks, including increased likelihood of injury and alcohol poisoning, and long-term risks, such as alcohol dependence.

Alcohol dependence

Alcohol dependence, also known as alcohol addiction, alcohol misuse disorder, or alcoholism, is when someone loses control over their drinking. They will experience a strong desire to drink and continue to do so despite potentially harmful consequences. Dependent drinking can significantly affect a person’s quality of life, as well as their relationships and employment. 

Signs of alcohol dependence can include:

• Needing to consume more alcohol to achieve the desired effect (increased tolerance).
• Spending most of your time thinking about drinking alcohol.
• Prioritising drinking over other activities or commitments.
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as the shakes, nausea and vomiting, and changes in mood, when deprived of alcohol.

Medical cannabis and alcohol

Despite the well-known harms associated with alcohol, many continue to view its use as more acceptable than other, potentially less harmful, drugs, such as cannabis. But while stigma persists around medical cannabis, some research suggests that it may actually be beneficial in the treatment of addiction. 

Medical cannabis and alcohol use

For example, a 2020 survey found that 44% of participating Canadian medical cannabis patients reported decreases in alcohol use frequency following medical cannabis treatment initiation. Furthermore, 34% of participants decreased the number of standard drinks they consumed per week. 

However, research in this area is still in its early stages and more evidence is needed to fully understand the relationship between medical cannabis and alcohol dependence. It is important to note that medical cannabis is not licensed for the treatment of alcohol addiction in the UK.

Using alcohol as a medical cannabis patient

When using cannabis-based medicines to treat health conditions, it’s important to be informed on safe practice, including when using your medication alongside alcohol. For example, is any level of alcohol use compatible with medical cannabis treatment?

The active ingredients found in medical cannabis, such as the cannabinoids THC and CBD, can interact with other substances, including alcohol. Some studies indicate that consuming cannabinoids and alcohol together can increase the effects of each. For some, this may worsen potential side effects, including nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and reduced cognitive function. 

For this reason, it is generally advised that medical cannabis patients abstain from drinking alcohol alongside their medication. However, this can depend on your personal dosing regime, so it is always a good idea to discuss this with your prescribing doctor.

Seeking support for alcohol misuse and dependence

While alcohol remains the most widely used drug in the UK and worldwide, consumption appears to have been on the decline in recent years. A 2024 survey found that nearly half of UK drinkers planned to stop drinking or reduce their drinking over the next year. But for those with a dependence on alcohol, cutting back on alcohol can be difficult. 

Thankfully, there are a number of support services available to help. Many of these services are locally run and can be found through the NHS website. Support lines for advice on alcohol misuse or dependence include Drinkaware’s Drinkchat and Drinkline, We Are With You, and Alcoholics Anonymous.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding alcohol and medical cannabis use, our qualified doctors are always on hand to help. For more information or to find out if you could be eligible for medical cannabis treatment, complete our online eligibilty checker today.