California sober is a term for a lifestyle where someone stops using alcohol and hard drugs but still uses cannabis, based on the idea that cannabis carries fewer risks than other substances. It is not the same as full sobriety, and addiction specialists are divided on whether it works as a recovery approach.
In this article, we’ll be explaining where the term comes from, what the evidence says and what the alternatives are.
What Does California Sober Mean?
California Sober is a lifestyle choice where you essentially don’t engage with any substances whatsoever, with the exception of marijuana. So no alcohol, no other drugs, they only use weed. This is because people who are Cali sober see weed as less harmful, and it’s seen sort of as “semi-sobriety”.
Confusingly, though, the definition of California sober can vary depending on the person. For some, it can include the occasional use of alcohol or harder drugs because they are believed to offer mental health benefits in controlled settings.
Where Did It Come From?
It’s thought to have come from Los Angeles, California hence the name california sober.
California actually legalised cannabis for medical use back in 1996. They were the first US state to do that. Then in 2018, it was fully legalised for recreational use too.
Does the California Sober Lifestyle Work for Everyone?
No. In fact, this approach to sobriety is actually somewhat controversial, especially if you were to talk to an addiction specialist or traditional recovery circles that advocate for complete abstinence from all dangerous drugs.
There is also the argument that replacing one substance with another is a slippery slope, as it does not address the root causes of addiction or the fact that it could potentially lead to new dependencies.
An example of someone who tried the California Sober lifestyle is the singer Demi Lovato, which came after her near-fatal opioid overdose back in 2018. They very publicly endorsed the California Sober lifestyle and expressed how moderate substance use helped her with the addiction recovery journey. However, recently, they have now openly spoken about how this practice did not work for them- and have chosen to lead a completely sober life instead.
The actual concept of California Sober reflects broader conversations about harm reduction. This is a set of strategies aimed at minimising the negative health, social, and legal impacts associated with alcohol or drug use. For example, what we’ve seen in Scotland is the plans to open the first-ever drug use room in the UK. The aim of this is to reduce the potential harm to people struggling with opioid use disorder, providing a safe space for them to use with access to immediate aftercare. This, too, is an approach that has divided opinions.
Harm reduction acknowledges that although abstinence may be the goal for some, others may seek something more realistic or practical for them in managing their substance use.
Is California Sober a Real Recovery Method?
It’s not a recognised recovery method. The real concern is that it basically just swaps one thing out for another, rather than ever really getting to the reason you were using in the first place and that even if you can cut back on alcohol or opioids, the underlying urges are still there, so it’s still possible to trigger cravings.
That being said, from a harm reduction perspective, some may argue that even though it’s not the same as giving up substances completely, reducing the use of the more harmful ones is a step in the right direction.
Is California Sober the Same as Harm Reduction?
They’re related, but they’re not the same. Harm reduction is a formal public health framework which is working towards minimising the risks associated with substance use for people who are not yet ready or willing to stop.
California sober is an informal, individually chosen lifestyle approach. It’s not supervised, not tailored to individual risk profiles, and it’s also not supported by any form of structured professional input.
What Does the Research Say About Cannabis as a Recovery Tool?
The evidence and research are currently quite mixed.
There are some studies that have suggested weed could help some people reduce their use of harmful substances (e.g alcohol), and there’s some clinical interest in it for managing pain and anxiety (which are two common drivers of substance misuse in the first place).
Cannabis use, however, still comes with the risk of developing into addiction. It affects an estimated 9% of people who use cannabis and it rises to 17% of people using in adolescence. For people with a history of addiction, the risk of developing a dependency is likely to be higher, which is one of the main reasons why those who work in addiction medicine are hesitant about it being a viable approach.
What Are the Alternatives to Being California Sober?
Cali sober is just one of many approaches people take when reassessing their relationship with substances. The right approach looks different depending on the person and their history with substance use, mental and physical health and what they’re hoping to achieve.
Being completely sober (so full abstinence) is the approach that is most strongly supported by addiction professionals. This approach is also advocated by traditional 12-step programmes (e.g. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous).
Moderation management takes a different stance and it allows people to consume but in moderation. For example, someone who may have drunk too much and wants to bring it under control without stopping completely and doesn’t identify as having a dependency.
Harm reduction focuses on minimising the consequences that of substance use instead of just completely stopping. This could involve changing to safer consumption methods, gradually reducing how much is used or replacing a more dangerous substance with a less harmful one. It essentially acknowledges that full abstinence is not always an immediate or realistic goal for everyone.
Medically supervised treatments offer another route for those with physical dependencies. Behavioural therapies (e.g cognitive behavioural therapy) are also another alternative, and they help individuals understand the thoughts, emotions and patterns that drive their behaviour and use therapies that can help with long term change.
How to Know if the California Sober Approach Is Becoming a Problem
The signs that the california sober approach may no longer be working are:
- using cannabis or other substances more frequently or in bigger amounts than originally intended
- finding it difficult to socialise, relax or sleep without using it
- having cravings for the things you gave up
- noticing your mental health is not as good as it used to be
- feeling defensive over use if someone raises concerns to you
If any of these resonate with you, it might mean that professional support could help. Speaking to your GP or someone who specialises in addiction could help you assess where you are honestly and explore whether a more structured approach might be better for you in the longer term.
Finding the Right Path for You
Deciding how to approach sobriety is not a decision you have to make alone and there is no single answer that works for everyone.
If you’re questioning your relationship with substances for the first time or have been trying different approaches for a while, speaking to someone who understands addiction can make a big difference.
At Rehab Clinics Group, we offer free, confidential conversations with no obligation. We can help you understand your options, answer your questions honestly and support you.
Reach us on our free number 08004700382.
