No intention of giving medical advice, but there are forms of cannabis that have been stripped of thc for medical use. The oil is a powerful pain reliever. But I have heard anecdotally that it causes "sleepiness" right after taking it so I caution its use in sober alcoholics. Cannabis does have a place in pain relief. I have seen it work when nothing else does, but I think that has to be weighed with the same gravity a former addict would use when considering narcotics for pain.