The term “California sober” is emerging as a popular yet controversial trend in the world of substance abuse recovery. Individuals in addiction recovery, as well as celebrities and others not in recovery, are weighing in on this approach to being ‘semi-sober.’ While some view it as an alternative path to sobriety, many view it as a potential risk for relapse.
What Does “California Sober” Mean?
“California sober,” or Cali sober, is the act of abstaining from harder drugs like cocaine or fentanyl but continuing to use marijuana and even alcohol. This approach to sobriety gained attention as many celebrities openly expressed their experiences with using marijuana (cannabis) throughout their recovery process.
While traditional sobriety is abstinence from any mind-altering substance, Cali sober makes the exception for cannabis use and, in some cases, alcohol. Many individuals are starting to lean in on this approach to recovery as it doesn’t require ‘complete sobriety.’
The Risks of California Sober in Addiction Recovery
The appeal of California sober lies in its flexible approach, allowing people to quit harder drugs and switch to ‘less dangerous’ substances. While recovering individuals may believe they have a certain level of control over their substance use, this flexibility can potentially lead them back to harmful patterns and behaviors.
Cali sober holds many risks for individuals looking to get sober or in active recovery, including cross-addiction, triggering old habits, mental health issues, lack of support, and relapse.
Potential for Cross-Addiction
One of the most profound risks of Cali sober is the potential for cross-addiction. Cross-addiction, also known as addiction interaction disorder, is when someone struggles with one addiction; they’re more likely to develop a new one.
With Cali sober, substituting hard drugs or alcohol with cannabis can lead recovering individuals to develop a new addiction. Although moderate alcohol and marijuana use may not seem as harmful as heroin or an opioid use disorder (OUD), they are both addictive.
California sober can lead people to use marijuana or alcohol to cope with managing ‘sobriety’ from their addictive drug. Both marijuana and heroin’s chemical structure mimics that of the body’s natural neurotransmitter, causing it to attach to and activate specific neurons. Using another substance to get sober from another can lead to overconsumption, dependency, and relapse back to harder drugs.
Lack of Clear Boundaries
California sober has a lack of clear boundaries, especially for those in addiction recovery. While Cali sober may be a popular trend for individuals who engage in occasional substance use, it can be incredibly harmful to the recovery journey for those with a SUD.
Recovery programs and support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) affirm that sobriety is complete abstinence from all mind-altering substances, including marijuana and alcohol. This traditional approach to sobriety provides an unambiguous goal for addiction recovery—complete abstinence.
Cali sober blurs these lines for those in substance use recovery, making it easy to overconsume and justify further substance use. The temptation to experiment with other drugs or increase marijuana or alcohol consumption can become overwhelming, potentially causing people to relapse.
Triggering Old Habits and Cravings
For most individuals in recovery from addiction, being around or using any substance can trigger cravings and old habits. Substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic, relapsing brain disorder that involves deeply ingrained behavioral patterns that can be difficult to break.
These behavioral patterns associated with addiction can be reignited when using cannabis or alcohol. Social settings can be incredibly triggering for recovering individuals, particularly ones where they used to take drugs or drink heavily. Using marijuana in these environments can bring back old memories that could trigger old habits and risky behaviors.
The psychoactive effects of cannabis can impair judgment, making it harder to say no to other substances. Cali sober can put people in situations that increase the risk of relapse as they begin to lose their grip on discipline and self-control.
Mental Health Complications
People who battle a drug and alcohol addiction often face underlying mental health challenges like anxiety or depression. Marijuana use can contribute to disorientation, psychosis, anxiety, paranoia, and schizophrenia. Heavy marijuana use, especially for individuals with preexisting mental health complications, can exacerbate these conditions. Cannabis has been linked with depression, anxiety disorders, suicidal thoughts, suicidal attempts, and suicide.
With California sober, many individuals may use marijuana to self-medicate these mental health issues for temporary relief. In turn, it can worsen psychological distress and contribute to long-lasting mental health disorders. Ongoing stress, depression, and loneliness are all risk factors for relapse.
Lack of Support from Traditional Recovery Programs
Traditional recovery programs like AA and NA heavily rely on community and a shared commitment to abstinence. Following drug detox and rehabilitation, these programs offer accountability, structure, and a strong support network for long-term success in recovery.
Choosing to be ‘Cali sober’ may isolate recovering individuals from this community of support. If someone continues to use alcohol or cannabis in recovery, they might feel out of place in traditional sober communities. This can lead to isolation and emotional distress, making it more difficult for them to access the recovery support and resources they need.
A structured support system is critical in recovery from alcohol abuse or drug addiction. Without this support, it can be challenging to maintain their recovery and raise their risk of relapse.
Cali Sober: Recovery or Relapse Risk?
While California sober might seem like a less restrictive approach to addiction recovery, it is hazardous for those in recovery. Cali sober allows people to keep one foot in the door without being labeled a “drug addict” or “alcoholic,” which is a dangerous approach to sobriety.
The flexibility allows room for polysubstance abuse, cross-addiction, triggering old habits, and mental health disorders. While California sober may work for some, it is not the safest recovery approach for everyone.
Complete abstinence, for many people in recovery from addiction, remains the most reliable path for long-term sobriety. Abstinence from all mind-altering substances eliminates any gray areas and ensures that the recovering individual remains committed to their recovery goals. Complete sobriety and a recovery support network contribute to better health and well-being for long-term recovery success.
Recovery Management Programs in Stuart, FL
For those who are actively battling addiction or have just completed rehab treatment, recovery support is vital. If you’re looking for drug detox and rehab in Stuart, FL, Coastal Detox is here to help.
Our recovery management programs in South Florida help individuals in substance abuse recovery to stay committed to their sobriety. Addiction recovery doesn’t have to be a lonely process. Coastal Detox connects you with a local sober community and provides the tools you need for a successful recovery. Contact us today for more about our drug detox programs in South Florida!
References:
- Cleveland Clinic, 2021. What is the ‘California Sober’ Approach to Substance Use?
- Psychology Today, 2019. The Challenge of Cross Addiction.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2011. Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction.
- Verywell Mind, 2023. Redefining Sobriety: The Rise of the California Sober Lifestyle.
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2017. The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024. Cannabis and Mental Health.
- Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 2018. Relapse prevention.