California sober is a slang term that typically refers to abstaining from particular addictive substances while participating in other ones. In most cases, people who identify as being California sober may still consume cannabis and other psychedelics, but they will not engage in other, more mood-altering substances like alcohol, opioids, or stimulants.
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What Is California Sober?
The concept of being “California sober” is a lifestyle choice that some people embrace as part of a harm reduction or addiction recovery choice. California sober does not have an exact definition. However, it typically means someone has chosen to eliminate specific substances and replace or keep using other substances like cannabis or psychedelics.
Some people choose to be California sober as part of an initial abstinence plan. Others maintain this lifestyle indefinitely. It’s also important to note that not everyone who embraces California sober identifies with having an addiction. Many have simply reevaluated their relationship with mood-altering substances and have settled on this path as a result of that introspection.
Origins of the California Sober Concept
It’s believed that the term “California sober” was first used by Michelle Lhooq in a 2019 Vice article titled, Getting ‘California Sober’ Showed Me a Kinder, Gentler Way to Do Drugs.1 Since then, the term has become part of a broader movement toward moderation and harm reduction in substance use, particularly within communities advocating alternative approaches to abstinence-based recovery.
The California Sober Lifestyle
The main principles of the California sober lifestyle entail abstaining from opioids, stimulants, alcohol, and all drugs aside from cannabis and sometimes psychedelics. Psychedelics may include drugs like LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, DMT, and ayahuasca. The idea behind this movement is that some people can choose to safely consume what feels good to them without misusing or abusing them.
Practices & Boundaries for Being California Sober
It’s important to remember that recovery is a highly unique process. Everyone’s relationship with drugs and alcohol is entirely their own, and this relationship can also change over the lifespan. In most cases, the boundaries of California sober include abstaining from all drugs except for cannabis and potentially psychedelics. However, if you have a history of substance abuse or addiction, consider proceeding with great caution.
Reasons for Choosing California Sober
The California sober movement tends to embrace mind-body and holistic wellness. There is growing research that shows that cannabis use coincides with numerous health benefits like decreased sense of pain, reduced GI and inflammation symptoms, and better sleep.2 People may also embrace this lifestyle if the traditional sobriety model does not work well for them.
Criticisms & Controversies of California Sober
There’s a prevailing misconception that cannabis isn’t addictive. However, chronic cannabis use can be problematic, and research shows that about 30% of people who use cannabis are addicted to it.3 In addition, it’s not uncommon for people with addictions to substitute one problematic habit for another. For this reason, some addiction specialists and mental health experts have shared concerns about this movement.
Potential Benefits of Being California Sober
The ‘California sober’ lifestyle can offer a sense of freedom and flexibility for people seeking to reevaluate their relationship with drugs or alcohol. Abstaining from hard drugs may feel easier if there’s the opportunity to use cannabis or psychedelics. Similarly, the therapeutic benefits of these drugs may also promote an improved sense of emotional well-being. Some people find marijuana helps anxiety, for example.
Possible benefits of being California sober include:
- It can be a gateway to complete sobriety
- It may be a viable form of harm reduction
- It allows for more a flexible and nuanced approach to drug use
- It honors personal autonomy
Potential Risks of Being California Sober
Being ‘California sober’ isn’t for everyone. As mentioned, cannabis abuse is a real issue that affects many people. Anyone with a history of substance use or addictive tendencies should be mindful of the risk of replacing one harmful habit with another. Similarly, cannabis or psychedelics can exacerbate certain mental health symptoms including paranoia, anxiety, or even psychosis.4
Possible risks of being California sober include:
- It can result in relapse
- It may increase dependence on cannabis or psychedelics
- It can come with emotional and physical health consequences
- There may be legal implications associated with using illicit substances
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Does Being California Sober Work?
It is challenging to discern whether being California sober “works” or not. In many ways, the question is too simplistic and doesn’t account for individual personality features. Some people find that this lifestyle allows them to enjoy occasional, moderated use without engaging in other substances. Others find that any drug use is too triggering.
California Sober & Recovery Paths
The California sober approach can fit within the broader spectrum of addiction recovery and harm reduction. It may also be a viable option for people simply reexamining their relationship with drugs or alcohol. This method may complement other recovery models. However, these principles do clash with typical abstinence models listed in programs like AA or NA.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you’re concerned about your relationship with drugs or alcohol, it may be a good time to seek professional support. Substance use can be insidious and shameful, and it often progresses over time. An addiction specialist can help you understand your triggers, teach you adaptive coping skills, and support you as you navigate your recovery needs. An addiction recovery app may be a good place to get started or use in combination with therapy to support you on your journey.
Consider looking for a qualified provider using our online therapist directory or online therapy platform. The therapist-client relationship is important and therefore a “good fit” is essential, as you want to trust your therapist and have confidence that they can help you. A psychiatrist (different from a therapist) may be helpful if you’re considering psychiatric medication for a co-occurring mental health or substance use disorder. Most psychiatrists offer both in-person and online psychiatry options, and work closely with therapists, therefore it is not uncommon to be under the care of both a therapist and a psychiatrist.
In My Experience
“Substance use is one of my clinical specialties, and throughout my career, I have had the privilege to support people in all types of recovery plans. With that, the California sober lifestyle can certainly be a feasible path for certain people. Sometimes, it’s also a helpful stepping stone for other abstinence plans. Keep in mind there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery, and it’s most important that you find a method that works best for you and your overall wellness.”
Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.
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Getting ‘California Sober’ Showed Me a Kinder, Gentler Way to Do Drugs (2019). Vice. Retrieved from: https://www.vice.com/en/article/a3xvga/california-sober-quitting-drugs-alcohol-weed.
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Potential Health Benefits of Cannabis (2021, September). Johnson & Wales University. Retrieved from: https://www.jwu.edu/news/2021/09/7-potential-health-benefits-of-cannabis.html.
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Addiction (Marijuana or Cannabis Use Disorder). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/health-effects/addiction.html.
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Mental Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/health-effects/mental-health.html.
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California Sober Infographics
Additional Resources
To help our readers take the next step in their mental health journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy is compensated for marketing by the companies included below.
Online Treatment for Opioids or Alcohol, Including Medication.
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Alcohol Treatment – Cut Back or Quit Entirely
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Telehealth Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
Bicycle Health – offers therapy, support, and medication for addiction treatment (MAT). MAT offers the lowest relapse rates for opioid use disorder, helping people to stop using opioids with minimal physical discomfort. Covered by most major insurance. Visit Bicycle Health
Drinking Moderation
Sunnyside – Want to drink less? Sunnyside helps you ease into mindful drinking at your own pace. Think lifestyle change, not a fad diet. Develop new daily routines, so you maintain your new habits for life. Take a 3 Minute Quiz
Best Online Medication-Assisted Treatment Programs
Online medication-assisted treatment programs are fairly new to the telehealth industry, but existing companies are expanding quickly with new programs emerging every day. It’s important to explore your options and understand the level of virtual care available so you can choose the best addiction treatment program for you.
Best Mindful Drinking Apps
If you’re thinking about joining the sober curious movement and you’d like to cut back on drinking, mindful drinking apps are a great place to start. Practicing mindful drinking can take some time, attention, and patience, but with the help of the right app, you can completely transform your relationship with alcohol.
