People living the California sober lifestyle

What Does California Sober Mean?

The California sober lifestyle isn’t limited to people who live in California, and it doesn’t require actual sobriety. So what, exactly, does this term mean?

What Does California Sober Mean?

California sober is an informal term that is typically used to describe a “healthier” approach to substance use that is focused on limiting yourself to a few drugs instead of aiming for complete abstinence. 

There’s no standard, universally agreed-upon definition for California sober. For some people, it means avoiding all drugs except cannabis (marijuana). For others, it means limiting their substance use to alcohol and weed. In still other cases, psychedelics may be included in the list of acceptable substances, either with or without alcohol.

The two most common aspects of California sober seem to be an acceptance of marijuana and a refusal of so-called hard drugs such as heroin, cocaine, meth, and PCP.

Just as there’s no consensus on what California sober means, there’s also a lack of certainty about the term’s origins. Many sources cite an April 2019 newsletter from VICE, in which writer Michelle Lhooq describes limiting herself to marijuana and some psychedelics as adopting a “Cali sober” lifestyle. 

However, Lhooq notes in her newsletter article that Cali sober is “a term some people also use when they quit everything but weed,” which implies that the concept didn’t start with her.

What Are the Main Concerns With Living a California Sober Lifestyle?

In 2021, Demi Lovato released a song titled California Sober. The title referred to their choice to use only weed and alcohol after nearly dying from an opioid overdose in 2018.

Lovato has since disavowed this approach, saying that “All I did was replace my addiction with something I thought was safer.”

This highlights one of the primary concerns about the California sober lifestyle. When someone develops an addiction to alcohol or another substance, it becomes challenging to return to moderate drug use. Overcoming such habits often requires sustained recovery efforts.

Risk of Relapse

Frequently using drugs in greater amounts or for a longer period of time than intended is one of the criteria for a substance use disorder. This criterion is outlined in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

Through treatment and effort, a person can learn to manage their compulsions and regain control of their behaviors. However, most experts see substance use disorders as chronic conditions, which means that people aren’t ever fully cured, but remain in continuous recovery.

From this perspective, attempts to have “just one drink” or a few bong hits can quickly lead to a full-blown relapse and a return to uncontrolled drug use.

Illusion of Safety

A second concern about the California lifestyle is that it implies that some drugs are safe to use, while others pose an unacceptable risk.

There’s no doubt that different substances present different dangers. For example, few people would equate drinking one beer with injecting one dose of heroin. However:

  • As alluded to in the previous subsection, for someone with a history of addiction, having one beer can lead to a devastating downward spiral, just like having one dose of heroin could.
  • Safer isn’t a synonym for safe. Every addictive or mind-altering substance has the potential to cause considerable, possibly irreversible, harm. This doesn’t only refer to the risk of addiction. It also acknowledges the many other types of physical, psychological, and social damage. A person may expose themselves to these risks when using alcohol, marijuana, psychedelics, or other substances.

Sober Means Sober

A third concern about describing yourself as California sober is that it undermines the meaning of words like sober and sobriety. 

Within the recovery community, these words are absolutes. This means that you can’t be mostly sober any more than you can be a little bit pregnant or somewhat dead. If you’re not using any substances, you’re sober. If you are using any substances, you’re not sober.

This concern may not appear to be as substantial as the previous two mentioned in this post. But for people who have been working diligently to remain substance-free in the aftermath of active addiction, changing the meaning of the word sober alters a fundamental principal of recovery itself.  

Common Misconceptions About California Sober Living

Another concern about this approach is that people who attempt it are basing their efforts on misinformation or misunderstandings. Many misconceptions about California sober living relate to topics already mentioned in this post. However, their potential impact makes it important to revisit them.

To be clear, statements like the ones listed below are not accurate, and they can be sources of great harm. But the unfortunate truth is that you probably wouldn’t have to spend much time online before finding people who believe them:

  • California sober describes a lifestyle with established rules and limitations.
  • Alcohol and marijuana are safe substances.
  • As long as you avoid hard drugs like heroin and cocaine, you’ll be fine.
  • Moderate substance use is a sustainable approach for anyone who has previously struggled with compulsive, uncontrollable drug abuse.
  • If you only use a few drugs, or limit yourself to infrequent substance use, you can still describe yourself as sober.

How California Sober Differs from Other Recovery Approaches

For decades, the dominant perspective on recovery in the U.S. has been the 12-Step model that was established by the founders of AA in the late 1930s.

Here are a few ways that California sober differs from this approach:

  • You don’t need to give up all substances. 
  • You define sobriety in whatever way you feel works for you.
  • You don’t have to admit that you are powerless over alcohol or other drugs.
  • You don’t have to turn your life over to a higher power.
  • There’s no established peer-support component.

One of the more popular alternatives to the 12-Step model is SMART Recovery. Similar to California sober, this approach lacks the spiritual element of the 12-Step model. It allows participants to choose their own methods and set their own goals.

However, California sober differs from SMART Recovery is a few key ways, such as:

  • There are no meetings or established means of mutual support.
  • SMART Recovery takes an evidence-based approach, while California sober isn’t based on any science or research.
  • California sober doesn’t address the mental, behavioral, or social aspects of addiction and recovery.

Contact Sanctuary If You Need Help With Returning to Complete Sobriety

If you need help to end your substance use and start living a truly sober lifestyle, Sanctuary Treatment Center is here for you.

Our rehab center in Los Angeles offers a full continuum of care. This includes medical detox, residential treatment, and outpatient programming. We’ll work closely with you to assess your needs. Based on this, we’ll recommend programs and services to guide you toward a healthier future.

To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free consultation, please visit our Contact page or call us today.

Cost of sober living in California

Cost of Sober Living in California

Sober living residences in California provide essential support for individuals without a supportive home after completing addiction treatment or while enrolled in outpatient rehab.

Contact Sanctuary Treatment Center at (888) 584-4314 to learn the exact cost of our sober living.

About Sober Living in California

In California, sober living residences offer supportive, home-like environments for individuals in early recovery. These residences typically serve people in outpatient programs or those who have recently completed treatment.

Each residence has it own rules and procedures, but here are some common features of sober living in California:

  • Accountability: To ensure the safety of all residents, individuals typically agree to random drug tests and possibly unannounced searches of their belongings to keep the environment free of substances and prohibited items.
  • Activities: Some sober livings have on-site support group meetings that all residents must attend. Others may require residents to attend off-site peer support meetings. Some houses require residents to undergo treatment, while others expect residents to be employed, seek a job, do volunteer work, or engage in other approved activities.
  • Responsibilities: Sober living residents usually perform certain household chores or duties, such as cleaning, helping with meal preparation, doing dishes, or maintaining the yard.
  • Structure: Whether you are in a peer-run or professionally supported sober living residence, you will have to adhere to a variety of house rules, some of which we have already discussed in this section. For someone who has recently stopped using alcohol or other drugs, vast stretches of unstructured time can be dangerous. A structured environment can help you fill your days with healthy and productive pursuits.

How Much Does it Cost?

Monthly rent at sober living residences can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Factors that can influence the cost of sober living in California include:

  • Which city and neighborhood the house is located in
  • If residents have private or shared rooms
  • If cable, Wi-Fi, meals, or other amenities are included 
  • If meetings, counseling, or other recovery services are provided
  • If fitness training, massage, supervised recreational activities, and similar services are offered
  • If the house is affiliated with a treatment center, or is privately owned and operated
  • If the house is peer-run or staffed by professionals
  • If rent is a set rate for all residents or determined on a needs-based sliding scale

Once you have identified one or more sober living residences in your area that offer the structure and support you need, contact the homes directly to discuss availability and determine cost.

Is Going to a Sober Living Worth It?

Customization is the key to almost every aspect of addiction treatment. A facility, program, or therapy that is perfect for one person might have limited value to someone else. The same holds true for sober living. Although, not everyone needs this service – but for those who do, sober living can make a lasting positive difference in their lives.

Here are a few examples of why sober living is worth it:

  • You will be in a drug-free environment. If you need support in recovery or are maintaining sobriety after a relapse, being around substance users can be extremely challenging. When you’re in a sober living residence, you won’t have to worry about being exposed to drug abuse.
  • You will be among others who are working toward a similar goal. Every person who is in recovery is walking their own path. However, these paths often overlap or run parallel with each other. In a sober living residence, you’ll live with people facing similar challenges and building a foundation for long-term recovery. These individuals can be sources of motivation, inspiration, and guidance. They can also serve as valuable reminders that you are not alone.
  • You can practice your recovery skills. For example, in a sober living residence, you’ll practice essential skills for maintaining healthy sober relationships, such as setting boundaries and resolving conflicts. You’ll also learn to treat others with respect, offer support, and advocate for your needs.
  • You will have a safe space. There’s no point in trying to hide the fact that recovery can be hard. This can be especially true during moments of transition, such as when you’ve just entered or completed treatment. As you maintain your sobriety, you may need to find a job, meet court-ordered responsibilities, rebuild relationships, and handle other challenges. Knowing you have a safe and supportive place to return to each day can make a world of difference.

Contact Sanctuary Treatment Center About Sober Living in California

If you have questions about sober living in California or any other aspect of addiction treatment and recovery, Sanctuary Treatment Center is here to help. 

Our rehab center in Los Angeles offers a full continuum of care, including detox, inpatient treatment, and outpatient programming. If you can benefit from a supportive sober living home while you are in our outpatient program or after you have transitioned out of our care, we will be happy to refer you to trusted residences in the LA area.

To learn more, please visit our Contact Us page or call us today. 

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