What Is California Sober?

California sober is a colloquial term that is increasingly being used to describe a form of partial sobriety. This contrasts with the concept of full sobriety, or abstinence from all drugs.

Sobriety is a non-medical term that is used to describe abstinence from all drugs, including alcohol. For some, however, the definition of sobriety varies in addiction recovery spaces.

What Does California Sober Mean?

California sober is a term used to describe sobriety from all drugs, except marijuana (cannabis) and sometimes psychedelics.

There is no clear definition of California sober or sobriety within medical literature.

The term is most often used by people in recovery from substance use disorder who choose to allow cannabis as part of their personal sobriety, or by people who abstain from alcohol while continuing to use cannabis.

Where Does The Term Come From?

The origins of the term ‘California sober’ are difficult to trace.

One of the first notable mentions of it can be traced back to a 2019 VICE article, where it was described as abstaining from all substances except marijuana and psychedelics.

One definition on the website Urban Dictionary, first posted in 2016, describes ‘California sober’ as abstaining from all drugs except marijuana and alcohol.

The Latest Role Of Psychedelics In This Lifestyle

Psychedelics’ place in the California Sober framework has become more complex as therapeutic use of substances like psilocybin and ketamine has gained mainstream clinical attention. Therapeutic use under clinical supervision is distinct from recreational use as part of a personal sobriety approach.

Why The Term California Sober Has Gained Attention

One of the primary reasons this term has gained greater attention is due to its use by celebrities, such as Demi Lovato.

Demi Lovato, a musical artist and actress, has been open about her struggles with an eating disorder, trauma, and substance use for years.

In a documentary titled Dancing with the Devil, Lovato used the term to describe how she identified her recovery, which for her allows drinking in moderation and the use of marijuana.

Lovato stressed that this is a treatment plan she coordinated with her recovery care manager and has not recommended that others adopt her plan without speaking to their own treatment team.

However, Lovato later reversed course. In late 2021, shortly after the documentary’s release, she publicly announced she had returned to full sobriety after finding the California Sober approach was no longer sustainable for her recovery. Her experience is frequently cited by addiction specialists as illustrating both the appeal of partial sobriety and the risks involved.

Why Some People Identify With Partial Sobriety

Although full abstinence from drugs and alcohol is often a goal within substance use disorder treatment, not everyone in recovery decides to remain fully sober for the rest of their lives.

For some, full abstinence feels overly restrictive. For others, it is necessary due to an inability to control drug or alcohol use in moderation—the primary sign of a substance use disorder.

Recovery, and what that looks like for someone, is a personal journey that can best be explored with the guidance of medical and behavioral health treatment professionals.

Is It Possible To Be California Sober In Recovery?

The answer to this isn’t simple or one that can be universally applied. Full sobriety is encouraged by many addiction professionals for people who have been living with or in recovery from substance use disorder.

However, not all addiction professionals believe full sobriety from all substances is required to recover from addiction. This can vary according to the needs of each person in recovery.

What Addiction Experts Say

Not all experts agree on whether recovery from addiction is possible with only partial versus full abstinence from substances.

Dr. Brian Hurley, director-at-large of the American Association on Addiction Medicine (ASAM), told TODAY News in 2021 that the goal for all of his patients is full remission.

He defines this as no longer using substances in a way that is compulsive or causing harmful consequences.

According to Hurley, for most, that means complete abstinence, but not for all. For some, remission may involve being abstinent from most, but not all, substances.

Other experts stress that adopting a ‘California sober’ approach could negatively affect a person’s recovery.

Allowing for the use of some but not all substances carries a risk of relapse on a person’s drug of choice or developing an addiction to another drug.

Research on moderation-based approaches suggests outcomes vary widely. People with severe or long-standing substance use disorders tend to have better outcomes with full abstinence, while those with less severe histories may manage moderation successfully.

Finding An Addiction Recovery Plan That’s Right For You

Addiction recovery isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Recovery is a lifelong journey that requires patience, self-compassion, and is best navigated with the guidance of treatment professionals.

Browse our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information about addiction recovery.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff