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Should You Use CBD If You’re in Recovery

More individuals in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) or alcohol use disorder (AUD) choose different alternative solutions to support their journey to sobriety. From mindfulness techniques to acupuncture, supporting a successful recovery is no longer limited to traditional methods alone. 

Among these alternatives, cannabidiol (CBD) has emerged as a popular option. Known for its therapeutic potential to reduce pain, anxiety, and improve sleep, CBD offers a non-intoxicating way to manage symptoms that often accompany the recovery process. However, while it may seem like a promising remedy, there are some important factors to consider before adding it to your wellness routine. 

Are CBD Products Legal in New Hampshire?

Yes—and no. Cannabidiol is in both hemp and cannabis, which are both Cannabis sativa plant species. The state follows the federal 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act, a law that removed hemp from the federal Controlled Substances Act. This effectively legalized CBD products:

  • If they come from hemp, and; 
  • Contain less than 0.3% or less tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—the compound found in marijuana that makes you high.

As of February 2025, it’s legal to purchase and use hemp CBD oil products in the state of New Hampshire, but it’s still illegal to grow hemp within state lines. In addition, the New Hampshire Liquor Commission states that it’s currently illegal to use CBD as a food additive within the state. Different laws introduced to the legislature in 2023 and 2024 modifying these regulations have yet to pass. 

Therapeutic marijuana is legal in New Hampshire, but CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC are not.  

How Does CBD Work? 

CBD interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system, which regulates several physiological processes, including mood, sleep, and pain. Harvard Health reports that “there’s moderate evidence that CBD can improve sleep disorders, fibromyalgia pain, muscle spasticity related to multiple sclerosis, and anxiety. There is increasing data that CBD may help people overcome various addictions.”

While CBD may be non-intoxicating, that doesn’t mean you won’t feel some effect. Harvard researchers add that “It does change your consciousness. You may feel mellow or sleepy, experience less pain, and be more comfortable. In addition, some CBD products do contain small amounts of THC, which might affect how you feel.” So if your recovery plan aligns with abstinence over moderation, this is a critical point to remember. 

Potential Benefits of CBD

While research is still ongoing, some results indicate that CBD may offer therapeutic benefits in key areas that impact recovery. 

  • Alleviating chronic pain. By working with the body’s endocannabinoid system, Harvard states that CBD products potentially activate “a second type of [natural] cannabinoid receptor, the CB2 receptor, that exists mostly in our immune tissues and is critical to helping control our immune functioning.” This may help with inflammatory and neuropathic pain.
  • Better sleep. Preliminary studies suggest that CBD may help improve sleep quality and regulate the sleep-wake cycle, which can be disrupted during withdrawal and early recovery. 
  • Reduced anxiety and stress. Other studies examine the relationship between anxiety, stress, and sleep, and how CBD may help improve management of these issues and strengthen resilience against relapse triggers. 
  • Reducing cravings. Controlled trials indicate that CBD may reduce cravings, especially for people recovering from opioid or stimulant addictions.

Possible Risks Using CBD Products

Here are just a few risk factors outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which we provide verbatim: 

  • “CBD products, except for the prescription medication Epidiolex, are not FDA-approved, so despite being marketed extensively, there are no federal standards for their content, purity, or potency.”
  • “The concentration of CBD may be more or less than advertised and, because of a lack of quality control, the manufacturing process may introduce harmful biological and chemical contaminants, including the psychoactive THC.”
  • “Potential risks and harms associated with CBD use include adverse drug interactions, liver toxicity, and reproductive and developmental effects.”

Trust Sobriety Centers of New Hampshire 

CBD may be a useful tool for some people in recovery, but it’s important to approach its use with caution and awareness of its limitations. Ultimately, the safety and effectiveness of CBD in addiction recovery depend on individual circumstances, the nature of the addiction, and the guidance of qualified healthcare professionals.

Our primary goal at Sobriety Centers of New Hampshire is to deliver high-quality, evidence-based treatment. We have board-certified therapists, addiction counselors, and medical practitioners ready to provide personalized recommendations based on your background, complete health picture, and recovery goals.

We have three locations to serve you: 

  • The Antrim House in Antrim, a detoxification and residential treatment facility for men and women.
  • Recovery Mountain in Tilton, a residence for Veterans and first responders as part of outpatient programming.
  • The Lakes Addiction Treatment Center in Laconia offers inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient rehabilitation programs for men and women.


Reach out to our admissions team if you’d like to know more about our philosophy and approach.