Redefining Recovery: The Expanding Cannabis Landscape and Its Implications for the California Sober Approach in Addiction
Cerina Dubois, Amrit Baral, Riana Durrett, H. Kim, Elizabeth C. Danielson, Robin S. Goldstein, Johannes Thrul
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction May 5, 2026 DOI: 10.1007/s11469-026-01660-0 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Addiction Cannabis |
| Keywords | Law |
| Key findings | Argues that the California Sober approach, which allows cannabis and potentially psychedelics, offers flexibility but carries risks of cannabis use disorder and addiction substitution, necessitating personalized treatment strategies and greater consistency in its application. |
Abstract
An emerging approach called California Sober (CS) has gained attention for promoting abstinence of all intoxicating substances except cannabis and potentially, psychedelics. Cannabis legalization and the expansion of cannabis products have introduced new complexities in addiction recovery, challenging traditional abstinence-based frameworks such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which define sobriety as complete cessation of all intoxicating substances. The CS approach offers flexibility for individuals who choose not to pursue full sobriety, yet the lack of clear standards highlight the need for greater consistency in its use. The potential risks of developing cannabis use disorder and substituting one addiction for another, coupled with cannabis policy discrepancies, emphasize the necessity for careful consideration when incorporating CS into treatment strategies. Given the diversity of possible recovery paths, it is crucial to adopt personalized approaches to ensure both safety and effectiveness while aligning solutions with the evolving needs of patients in this dynamic field.