Weed gets a bad rap as a “gateway drug,” but let’s turn that idea around for a second. If more than 90% of people who try abstinence end up going back to their drug of choice, maybe the real gateway is… abstinence itself.
Sounds like blasphemy coming from a social worker who’s been sober for 28 years in AA, right? But maybe forcing people into an all-or-nothing approach—where you’re either 100% clean or a total failure—sets the stage for relapse. It’s black-and-white thinking in a world that’s actually a million shades of grey. And it certainly smacks of judgment and shame, two things that never help someone find their recovery.
Einstein said we’re all geniuses, but if we ask a fish to climb a tree, we’re setting people up to fail. Maybe abstinence-only modality is asking a fish to climb a tree. Shouldn’t recovery have a broader definition than just “drug free”? Ultimately, recovery is about self-improvement, not satisfying an evangelical AA zealot.
Recovery isn’t a contest of willpower or a moral test. It’s a personal path, and for some people, that might include cannabis, harm reduction, or other tools that help keep them away from toxic and self-harming drug use.
Cali sober is a lifestyle that eliminates alcohol and other drugs but allows space for cannabis use. If you want to address issues in your life and are curious about sobriety but find abstinence too daunting, Cali sober may be an option for you. Schedule a free discovery session with me, and let’s chat. Nothing is for everyone, and Cali sober may or may not be an option for you. Let’s find what works.