Alcohol has been a staple at social settings for centuries. However, new trends may be shifting the tide elsewhere as people turn to perceivably more holistic and therapeutic substances like psychedelics, cannabis, and ketamine. As a result, the definition of sobriety has turned on its head. But what is this new California sober meaning all about? And what are psychedelics doing to lead the charge?
Redefining Sobriety: The California Sober Meaning
For decades, sobriety has meant completely abstaining from a particular intoxicating or addictive substance. In Alcoholics Anonymous, you’re considered sober from alcohol if you’re no longer drinking, for example. This has been the commonly accepted definition of sobriety until recent years when a new, more flexible variation was introduced called “California sober.” Originally popularized in Demi Lovato’s song of the same name, California sober describes someone in recovery who abstains from hard drugs (think cocaine or heroin), but chooses to instead consume other substances like marijuana, alcohol, or mushrooms, shares VerywellMind.com.
In other words, California sober doesn’t mean total abstinence. Rather, it takes a more flexible approach, affirming the belief that using theoretically less harmful substances is a better alternative than using more debilitating ones. The California sober concept has risen in popularity because it takes addiction recovery and sobriety out of its predefined box and puts it back on your own personal needs and experiences. Combine this with the increasing popularity of other drug alternatives, and the intentionally moderated, semi-sober lifestyle that the California sober meaning defines has become more appealing for many in recovery.
Popular Substance Trends: What Are Psychedelics?
California sober’s rise has also coincided with the growing acceptance of therapeutic-based drugs like cannabis, ketamine, and mushrooms, often touted for their abilities to enhance wellness. According to a 2022 survey, 44% of adults ages 19-30 said they used cannabis in the past year, a new record, reports The New York Times. From that same age range, 8% of adults revealed they’d used psychedelics, which was a noticeable increase from only 3% 10 years prior. But exactly what are psychedelics?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse describes psychedelics as drugs that temporarily alter your mood, perceptions of reality, and thoughts by influencing the way your brain processes serotonin. Psilocybin (mushrooms), LSD, and mescaline are examples of popular psychedelics in circulation today. When taken, the effects of psychedelics can vary widely and be difficult to predict, even leading to adverse health effects. Yet some professionals have begun to use psychedelics in mental health treatment for various conditions as well, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Is Ketamine a Psychedelic?
Dubbed as “the legal psychedelic” by the Los Angeles Times, ketamine is a drug that was FDA-approved in 1970 as an anesthetic. Yet in more recent years, doctors have prescribed it off-label to patients to treat depression. Technically considered a dissociative drug rather than a psychedelic, ketamine can produce similar psychedelic effects such as out-of-body experiences and altered perceptions of reality, says the British Journal of Pharmacology.
Is Weed a Psychedelic?
With marijuana’s growing legality in several US states, it’s become a popular alternative drug in the California sober movement. But is weed a psychedelic? According to Forbes, scientific research indicates that cannabis can sometimes produce psychedelic effects, particularly with high doses of THC, though more supporting evidence is needed.
The Good and the Bad of Psychedelics and California Sober
Though these trends are gaining traction, the results have been mixed. Consequently, the idea that psychedelics will become the new alcohol or that California sober will reshape addiction recovery have yet to be determined, at best.
The idea that psychedelics will become the new alcohol or that California sober will reshape addiction recovery have yet to be determined.
Based on a large clinical trial in 2022 disclosed by NBC News, psychedelics along with psychotherapy helped alcoholics reduce their drinking for at least eight months. Many people also think of psychedelics as safer and more mindful, holistic approaches to relaxation and socializing. Others have described them as life-altering in treating certain mental health conditions. Fans of microdosing psilocybin say it helps with anxiety, depression, and overall wellness, ABC News explains. Yet psychedelics can be psychologically destabilizing, even generating psychotic episodes. Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, tells The Times: “[Using psychedelics] can be very revealing, but for others it can be very traumatizing.”
At the same time, the California sober meaning of sobriety has generated different viewpoints as well, from wholehearted acceptance to skepticism and total rejection. Proponents see California sober as a helpful tool to eventual long-term recovery that can ease the transition from more harmful substances, even allowing you to evaluate your relationship with specific substances, shares VerywellMind.com. Yet others point out that the California sober meaning is a hot-button issue because it makes recovery journeys no longer linear or equal. As a result, the approach can lead to a relapse for some. It also generally takes more effort and self-discipline to do it well and may isolate you from recovery communities who don’t accept it as true recovery. Even Demi Lovato has since disavowed the California sober approach, shares Everyday Health.
Struggling With Addiction? The Meadows Malibu Can Help
If you’re struggling with substance abuse, or even what it truly means to be sober, you don’t have to walk this journey alone. At The Meadows Malibu, we take a whole-person approach to your recovery, customizing our treatment to meet your unique needs. If you’re ready to gain the tools and insights you need to overcome your addiction and thrive long-term, contact us today.