Cannabidiol as an Adjunct Treatment for Alcohol Withdrawal and Craving

Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the most prevalent cannabinoids in cannabis (marijuana) has been shown to reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms in laboratory animals. In people without alcohol use disorder (AUD), CBD has been show to be effective in reducing anxiety, sleep problems, and seizures; all of these are common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. This randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial will evaluate the potential of CBD to improve alcohol withdrawal symptoms and reduce craving during acute abstinence among individuals with moderate-to-severe AUD. Adult participants with moderate-to-severe AUD will be admitted to an inpatient research unit at the Johns Hopkins Hospital for a 5-day, 4-night stay that includes alcohol abstinence with management of their alcohol withdrawal. In addition to standard care, participants will receive CBD or placebo (no CBD), complete assessments of withdrawal, sleep quality and provide breath and blood samples.

NCT Number	NCT07148843
Lead Sponsor	Johns Hopkins University Collaborators: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Conditions	Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), Withdrawal From Addictive Substance; Detoxification, Craving
Enrollment	105 participants
Start Date	2026-08-01
Primary Completion	2030-10-31 (estimated)
Study Completion	2030-10-31 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-07-10