“California sober” is a term that was created to describe individuals who got sober from other drugs and alcohol but still use marijuana. It has become a trend in recent years because of celebrities like Demi Lovato joining the movement publicly.
While some people view Cali sober as a crutch or a slippery slope, others call it harm reduction. Marijuana is used medicinally in many states, which means some people might be using it to manage co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety or to treat chronic pain conditions. On the other hand, using marijuana regularly could lead to addiction and even a relapse on other drugs.
If you or a loved one were California sober and developed an addiction to weed, PAX Memphis is here to help. We can connect you with a marijuana rehab program that can teach you how to achieve complete abstinence.
In this article, you will learn:
What you will learn:
- What does it mean to be California sober?
- What are the benefits and risks of being Cali sober?
- When do you need treatment for weed addiction?
What is “Cali Sober?”
The California sober lifestyle is the idea of giving up alcohol and hard drugs while continuing to use weed or other THC products. It got its name because marijuana is legal for recreational and medicinal use in California. Many people view the Cali sober approach as a type of harm reduction, as it allows you to continue using a substance that is safer than harder drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, crack, and others.
Some people look down upon the Cali sober lifestyle choice, as they believe the only path to sobriety is by giving up all mind-altering substances. However, it does work for some people and is often described as using a vape to quit smoking cigarettes.
It is important to note that while marijuana is safer than other drugs, you can still develop an addiction to it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Approximately 3 in 10 people who use cannabis have cannabis use disorder.”[1]
Because of the risk of addiction, those practicing the California sober approach should use weed in moderation. Studies have shown that THC can help manage a variety of mental health conditions and chronic pain, which means it might be necessary for certain individuals in recovery from drug addiction.[2]
Weighing the Benefits and Risks of Being California Sober
Recovering from substance abuse is never easy. While most people in the recovery community say complete abstinence is the only way, that might not be true. Some individuals find success in the California sober lifestyle.
That being said, Cali sober isn’t right for everyone. It’s important to be aware of both the risks and benefits of this addiction recovery approach.
Benefits
Going Cali sober is often defended as a form of harm reduction. Some individuals are not ready to completely give up all substances. By eliminating all addictive substances aside from marijuana, they are lessening their chances of experiencing the most dangerous aspects of addiction, like life-threatening overdoses and exposure to dangerous situations with drug dealers.
Other benefits of the California sober approach include:
- Defining your own path to sobriety
- The ability to manage co-occurring mental health conditions with medicinal marijuana
- Treating chronic pain conditions with marijuana instead of more harmful medications like opioids
- Lessening the risk of overdosing during a relapse by using marijuana instead of more dangerous substances like heroin
Risks
If you’ve struggled with addiction, you know how hard it can be to maintain sobriety. While you might be tempted to use marijuana, there are some risks to the Cali sober lifestyle. The main risk is that you could go on to develop a cannabis use disorder, causing you to have to return to a drug rehab facility.
Other risks of being Cali sober include:
- Lacking clear boundaries for substance abuse and returning to abusing harder drugs
- Masking underlying issues with cannabis
- Increased risk of experiencing psychosis for individuals with underlying mental health conditions
- Maintaining a dependence on a substance instead of achieving total abstinence
When Should You Seek Help for Marijuana Addiction?
Sometimes the Cali sober approach is a good way to get your foot in the door of sobriety. You can use it as a long-term solution for recovery or as a short-term way to get yourself used to the sober lifestyle. Either way, you need to be careful when you are using marijuana, especially if you use it frequently.
Repeated and continuous use of cannabis can lead to addiction. If you experience the following symptoms, you might need treatment for a cannabis use disorder:[3]
- Using weed in larger amounts or for longer than you intended
- Wanting to cut back on or quit using marijuana but being unsuccessful
- Spending a lot of time obtaining, using, or recovering from the use of cannabis
- Experiencing cravings or strong urges to use weed
- Using marijuana even though it is causing relationship problems
- Failing to meet responsibilities at home, school, or work
- Continuing to use weed even though it is causing physical or mental health issues
- Needing to increase the dose of cannabis to experience the desired effect
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop using marijuana
Find Help for Weed Abuse and Addiction
If you or a loved one suffers from a cannabis use disorder, it’s time to seek professional help. At PAX Memphis, we can connect you with a reputable weed rehab center in your area. Our admissions counselors will provide an in-depth assessment to match you with a program that meets your specific needs.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you recover from marijuana addiction.
References:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Understanding Your Risk for Cannabis Use Disorder
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Therapeutic Benefits of Cannabis: A Patient Survey
- Medscape: Cannabis-Related Disorders Clinical Presentation