You may have read the term, encountered it while listening to music, or heard friends discussing it. But do you know what California sober actually means, and are you aware of its possible benefits and potential dangers?
What Does California Sober Mean?
California sober doesn’t have a clear-cut, universally agreed-upon definition. In general, it describes the choice to avoid so-called “hard” drugs (such as heroin and cocaine) and limit yourself to moderate use of supposedly “softer” substances.
To some people, California sober means drinking alcohol occasionally and using marijuana in moderation. For others, it means abandoning all mind-altering substances except for marijuana. For still others, some psychedelics are on the approved list.
Many (but by no means all) people who would use this term to describe themselves have histories of substantial drug abuse. California sober is way to minimize their substance use without committing to complete abstinence.
No seems to know exactly when California sober entered the lexicon, though it appears to have happened in the mid-2010s. Though we can’t yet trace the term to its origins, we can identify a few key moments that expanded and solidified its popularity:
- In an April 2019 Vice article, Michelle Lhooq used “Cali sober” to describe her decision to only use marijuana and psychedelics after an extended period of nearly continuous polysubstance abuse.
- In 2021, the term gained more widespread attention when Demi Lovato released a song called California Sober. However, Lovato rejected the concept later that year, writing in a Dec. 2 Instagram story, “I no longer support my ‘California Sober’ ways. Sober sober is the only way to be.”
- In the past two years, two more songs titled California Sober have been released — a Billy Strings tune featuring Willie Nelson in 2023, and a Post Malone track featuring Chris Stapleton in August 2024.
California sober is not the only approach that focuses on minimal substance use or temporary sobriety instead of an abstinence-based philosophy.
Since 2013, the charity Alcohol Change UK has promoted Dry January, which encourages people to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages for the first month of the year. Other similar efforts include the Sober October and sober curious movements.
Is California Sober Safe?
The safety of the California sober lifestyle can vary considerably from one person to the next.
Some people are able to use alcohol, marijuana, and some other substances safely and without incurring any apparent harm. But for others, even minimal exposure to recreational drugs can have life-changing ramifications.
Factors that can influence the safety or danger of being Cali sober can include:
- Which substance or substances do you plan to continue using?
- Do you have any physical or mental health concerns that can be negatively impacted by using these substances?
- How do you define “moderate” substance use?
- Do you have a history of addiction?
Being California sober has the potential to be beneficial in certain circumstances, such as:
- Switching from frequent abuse of multiple substances to limited use of one or two can reduce your risk of physical and psychological harm.
- Limiting your substance use to legal drugs such as alcohol and (in some states) marijuana reduces the danger of being arrested, fined, and/or jailed.
- Reducing your substance use can be a first step toward opting not to use any recreational drugs at all.
On the other hand, it’s also important to remember that there are risks associated with any form of substance use. This includes having “just one drink” or engaging in moderate marijuana use in states where it is legal. For example:
- Long-term exposure to even small amounts of alcohol or marijuana could have serious health implications.
- Any level of altered perception or impaired coordination could lead to slips, falls, other injuries
- Cognitive distortions can cause you to make destructive decisions or increase your risk of being manipulated or exploited.
Deciding to try the California sober approach is a personal choice that should only be made after you’ve thoroughly considered how it may impact your life.
You may want to consult with a close friend or trusted family member to get their thoughts. If you’re seeing a therapist or counselor, their insights could be especially relevant. But ultimately, you’re the one who will need to make the decision.
What if California Sober Leads to a Relapse of Your Drug of Choice?
If you have struggled with compulsive substance abuse in the past, one of the most significant dangers of trying the California sober approach is that it could trigger a relapse.
Must drug rehab centers and recovery programs such as AA and NA view abstinence as the only way to maintain recovery. This perspective is informed by the view that addiction is a chronic, progressive disease that robs a person of their ability to control the amount and frequency of their substance use.
Other approaches, such as SMART Recovery, encourage participants to define recovery in the manner that best suits them. Adhering to the disease model of addiction and committing to full abstinence are not required, though people are welcome to incorporate these concepts into their recovery efforts.
In either case, a relapse represents a return to addictive behaviors and is cause for concern. If your attempt to adopt a California sober lifestyle results in relapse, it’s important to take appropriate action to prevent further damage. Here are a few suggestions for how to accomplish this:
- Go to a peer support meeting. If participating in AA, NA, SMART Recovery, or another group has worked for you in the past, returning or increasing your participation may be the right way to curtail your drug use again.
- Reach out to your personal support network. This may include your sponsor (if you have one), fellow members of your peer support group, close friends, and/or trusted family members. Sometimes, simply talking through a problem can help you find the solution. Also, conversations like these protect you from becoming isolated.
- Get professional help. If you’ve been in treatment before, this might be time for a “tune up.” If you haven’t previously participated in a residential or outpatient program, doing so now might help you develop a more solid framework for recovery.
No matter what your treatment history looks like, you should never feel any shame about asking for help. Seeking personal support and/or professional care indicates that you have hope for a brighter future and the courage to do what it takes to live a healthier life.
Contact Renewal if You Need Help Becoming Completely Sober
Renewal Health Group offers personalized addiction treatment services at three locations in Southern California.
Our continuum includes detox, residential treatment, and multiple outpatient options. In these programs, you can expect to receive focused care and comprehensive support from our team.
For details about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.
Published: 11/15/2024
