What Does it Mean to Be California Sober?
And Should You Try It?
The term California sober has been getting a lot of attention these days in the news and on social media. The term refers to an approach for dealing with substance use disorders that allows a person in recovery to engage in some substance use (typically marijuana), while abstaining from others. For example, someone addicted to a drug like heroin or cocaine may still smoke marijuana as long as they maintain complete abstinence when it comes to the harder stuff. The reasoning behind the method is that, for many people, absolute sobriety is either too difficult to maintain, a complete non-starter, or a goal that is too out of reach to even aspire to. The thinking goes, “it’s better to be mostly sober than not sober at all.”
Some experts place the promotion of this approach with those who espouse a harm reduction philosophy. Harm reduction examines the many emotional, social and mental reasons for addiction, taking the view that because addiction is so complex, incremental steps can be more helpful over the long-term for some people, than an all-or-nothing approach. Other professionals disagree, however, stating that harm reduction is more of a philosophy in which “someone uses strategies to manage their usage and reduce the harmful or life-threatening consequences of drug or alcohol use,” while California Sober is “more about replacing one drug with another than about minimizing usage.” Either way, the approach has gained a lot of attention in recent years with many high-profile celebrities, including Demi Lovato and Billy Idol, vocalizing support.
California Sober Sounds Good…But Does it Work?
On the surface, California Sober seems to be a more empathetic approach to recovery that takes personal autonomy into account and places a higher value on the benefits of moderation. But does it work? There are several considerations here. One is that everyone’s view of moderation is different and simply moving from one substance to another does not necessarily mean that substance use is actually reduced. The reality is that a huge part of successful recovery is finding healthy replacements. The question is, is replacing one substance with another healthy? Even though marijuana is now legal in some form in the majority of US states, there is ample evidence that shows that marijuana is not a healthy replacement behavior. From lung disease to impact on concentration and memory, to decreased motivation and the triggering of mental health episodes, marijuana is a powerful substance with plenty of negative side effects. While it may be less harmful than harder drugs, it is not without its own dangers.
Another consideration is that absent a commitment to total sobriety, maintaining a drug habit – even if it is “just pot” – can heighten the chance of relapse and the escalation to full-blown substance abuse. The reality is that people dealing with addiction are dealing with a problem of boundaries, and without clear boundaries, relapse is a real concern. Engaging in any kind of substance use can be a slippery slope, which some recovery experts say can trigger cravings and cues that can lead back to the initial behaviors that California Sober attempts to curtail.
From California Sober to Absolutely Sober – Why “Sober Sober” is the Way to Go
Demi Lovato is perhaps the most well-known California Sober advocate to backtrack on her claims that the method works. After suffering a near-fatal overdose in 2018, Lovato became an advocate for the California Sober approach, but within a short amount of time, she retracted, stating on an Instagram Post in 2021 that “Sober sober is the only way to be.” Meanwhile, Jackass Star, Steve O has been vocal in his opposition to California Sober. The insight he has gained with his journey to sobriety includes the realization that, “My weed bone’s connected to my booze bone…and my booze bone’s connected to my coke bone.”
Sadly, before singer Aaron Carter drowned in a bathtub after taking enough drugs to incapacitate him, he had also advocated for the California Sober lifestyle.
The Grounds Advocates for Full Sobriety, No Exceptions
Here at The Grounds, our years of experience working with people struggling with substance abuse, along with the years of hard-won sobriety attained by many of our staff, have put us firmly in the camp of absolute abstinence. We know how difficult it is to walk the line between moderation and excess, and we know how much harder that walk is for individuals coming out of an active substance addiction. In our program, we are dedicated to providing the guidance and support to our members that has the highest chance of success – and we know that a full commitment to sobriety is the best way to develop the healthy habits and lifestyle changes to overcome addiction for the long term.
In light of the sober California movement, this philosophy may seem rigid, and it may seem like it’s asking too much, but the bottom line is we know it works, because we’ve seen it work over and over again to transform the lives of our staff and our clients. At The Grounds, we provide a safe space where our members can develop healthy lifestyle changes, including regular exercise, quality relationships, gainful employment and a commitment to working the 12 steps. We believe people have the best chance of maintaining sobriety when it is part of a comprehensive lifestyle change that results in a fulfilling life – a life worth protecting. Searching for ways to “get high” without “getting high” is just one way to avoid the work that comes with real, lasting change.
We’re not going to say this work and these changes are easy, but we 100% believe they’re worth it, and we’re ready to help our members every step of the way.
