California Sober (or California Sobriety) is a recovery model that incorporates the use of psychedelic therapy, with meditation and exercise with the intent of abstaining from more harmful and addictive substances.[1][2][3][4] The method has recently gained popularity among people looking for alternatives to the Twelve-step programs, partially due to songs by recording artists Demi Lovato[5] and Billy Strings[6] (featuring Willie Nelson) and a book on the subject by author W. E. Simmons.[7]
History
The term California Sober originated in the US state of California as a way of referring to a method of recovery from alcohol and other substances by using marijuana and classic psychedelics as an immediate deterrent from alcohol and other harmful addictive substances. The method also uses classic psychedelics as a long-term deterrent from the same. Although the term has been used for decades to describe a method of recovery that utilizes classic psychedelics, such as LSD, mescaline, Psilocybin mushrooms, and cannabis to aid in recovery from harmful and addictive substances, online use of the term only dates back to 2016.[8]
The California Sober Method
The California Sober method is described as using classic psychedelics, along with talk therapy, meditation, and exercise, to overcome addiction to harmful substances such as Alcoholic beverages, street drugs, and pharmaceuticals. The California Sober method stresses the need for using these substances with the express intent of recovering from Alcoholism, Addiction, and many other Mental disorders.[9]
Methods include California Sober Remediation Therapy (CSRT), which includes Cannabis Remediation Therapy (CRT), Psychedelic Remediation Therapy (PRT), and Meditative Remediation Therapy (MRT).[10] After the initial remediation is complete, the California Sober method relies on psychedelic therapy at intervals that can be anywhere from 1 to 12 months apart, depending on the addict's response to treatment, shortening intervals until they are no longer necessary.[11][12]
The California Sober method also includes Self-help steps including 3 questions, 9 goals, and 13 paths that work as therapy in an attempt to bring the individual to a state of mind that supports recovery.[13]
The Studies
Both novel and historical studies show that classic psychedelics may be useful in treating Alcohol Use Disorder[14][15][16][17][18][19], Substance use disorder, Opioid use disorder[20][21], Cocaine use disorder[22] and Nicotine Addiction.[23][24]
Psilocybin Studies
Since the psychedelic re-awakening of the 1990s, studies have shown that Psilocybin is effective in many of the psychological disorders it is tested for. When administered to subjects with obsessive-compulsive disorder, all patients showed improvements within 24 hours of treatment, yielding a 23%-100% decrease in Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale score.[25] For Anxiety and Depression in patients with advanced-stage cancer and reactive anxiety, Psilocybin significantly reduced anxiety one month after treatment, and depression was significantly lower at 6 months.[26] When used for quitting smoking, 80% of the trial participants were abstinent at a 6-month follow-up.[27][28] Significant decreases in drinking behavior for up to 9 months were shown when Psilocybin was used to treat Alcohol Use Disorder. In Major Depressive Disorder, the Mushrooms significantly decreased depressive symptoms for up to 6 months.[29] Anxiety and depression related to life-threatening cancer was significantly decreased at 7 weeks and sustained for 6.5 months[30] with another study duplicating the results showing significant decreases in anxiety and depression at 5 weeks with effects sustained for 6 months.[31]
A Jama Psychiatric article laid out the results of the largest-ever trial of psilocybin, the active alkaloid in magic mushrooms, in the treatment of alcoholism. About half of the participants, all of whom were alcohol-dependent for an average of 14 years, were given psilocybin while the other half were given an antihistamine as a placebo. Both groups were also given psychotherapy. The psilocybin group reduced their heavy drinking days by 83% (compared to about 50% in those who received the placebo), and the number and frequency of drinking days as well as the number of drinks they consumed were also significantly lower. Eight months later, close to half of the Psilocybin group had stopped drinking altogether.[32]
Other studies found naturalistic psychedelic use to be independently associated with significantly reduced odds of subsequent daily illicit opioid use among a community-based sample of people who used substances. "These findings suggest that psychedelic use may be associated with reductions in substance use, including illicit opioid use,[33] and that psilocybin use was associated with a 30% reduction in the odds of Opiate Use Disorder.”[34]
In popular culture
Demi Lovato released a song named California Sober on her album Dancing with the Devil... the Art of Starting Over and also speaks about being California Sober in her docuseries Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil. Billy Strings released a single named California Sober featuring Willie Nelson[35]. There is also a short movie called California Sober[36]
References
- ^ "What Does "California Sober" Mean?". Dictionary.com. 2022-08-16. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
- ^ Payan, Madison (2023-11-13). "What is California Sober?". Renaissance Recovery. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
- ^ Gomez, Suzette (2021-08-10). "What Does It Mean To Be "California Sober?"". Addiction Center. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
- ^ Simmons, W. E. (2022). California Sober - The Science of Recovery (1 ed.). SVDC InDUSTries. pp. 1–282. ISBN 9798218319472.
- ^ Edmonds, Lauren. "Demi Lovato said she identifies as 'California sober' and still consumes alcohol and marijuana in 'moderation'". Insider. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
- ^ Freeman, Jon (2023-04-28). "Billy Strings and Willie Nelson Tout the Benefits of Being 'California Sober' in New Collab". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
- ^ Simmons, W. E. (2022). California Sober - The Science of Recovery. SVDC InDUSTries. pp. 1–282. ISBN 9798218319472.
- ^ "What Does "California Sober" Mean?". Dictionary.com. 2022-08-16. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
- ^ Simmons, W. E. (2022). California Sober - The Science of Recovery (1 ed.). SVDC InDUSTries (published January 12, 2022). ISBN 9798218319472.
- ^ Simmons, W. E. (2022). California Sober - The Science of Recovery (1 ed.). SVDC InDUSTries. ISBN 9798218319472.
- ^ Krebs, T. S.; Johansen, P. O. (2012), "Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for alcoholism: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials", Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE): Quality-assessed Reviews [Internet], Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (UK), PMID 22406913, retrieved 2024-01-09
- ^ "Percentage of Heavy Drinking Days Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy vs Placebo in the Treatment of Adult Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder - A Randomized Clinical Trial". jamanetwork.com. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
- ^ Simmons, W.E. (2022). California Sober - The Science of Recovery (1 ed.). SVDC InDUSTries. ISBN 9798218319472.
- ^ Bogenschutz, Michael P.; Ross, Stephen; Bhatt, Snehal; Baron, Tara; Forcehimes, Alyssa A.; Laska, Eugene; Mennenga, Sarah E.; O’Donnell, Kelley; Owens, Lindsey T.; Podrebarac, Samantha; Rotrosen, John; Tonigan, J. Scott; Worth, Lindsay (2022-10-01). "Percentage of Heavy Drinking Days Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy vs Placebo in the Treatment of Adult Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial". JAMA Psychiatry. 79 (10): 953–962. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.2096. ISSN 2168-622X.
- ^ Frood, Arran (2012-03-09). "LSD helps to treat alcoholism". Nature. doi:10.1038/nature.2012.10200. ISSN 1476-4687.
- ^ O’Leary, Karen (2022-09-08). "Psilocybin therapy reduces heavy drinking". Nature Medicine. doi:10.1038/d41591-022-00093-1.
- ^ "Psilocybin targets a common molecular mechanism for cognitive impairment and increased craving in alcoholism". Science Advances.
- ^ Bogenschutz, Michael P.; Ross, Stephen; Bhatt, Snehal; Baron, Tara; Forcehimes, Alyssa A.; Laska, Eugene; Mennenga, Sarah E.; O’Donnell, Kelley; Owens, Lindsey T.; Podrebarac, Samantha; Rotrosen, John; Tonigan, J. Scott; Worth, Lindsay (2022-10-01). "Percentage of Heavy Drinking Days Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy vs Placebo in the Treatment of Adult Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial". JAMA Psychiatry. 79 (10): 953–962. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.2096. ISSN 2168-622X.
- ^ Krebs, T. S.; Johansen, P. O. (2012), "Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for alcoholism: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials", Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE): Quality-assessed Reviews [Internet], Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (UK), PMID 22406913, retrieved 2024-01-09
- ^ Jones, Grant; Ricard, Jocelyn A.; Lipson, Joshua; Nock, Matthew K. (2022-04-07). "Associations between classic psychedelics and opioid use disorder in a nationally-representative U.S. adult sample". Scientific Reports. 12 (1): 4099. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-08085-4. ISSN 2045-2322.
- ^ Argento, Elena; Socias, M. Eugenia; Hayashi, Kanna; Choi, JinCheol; Mackay, Lindsay; Christie, Devon; Milloy, M.-J.; DeBeck, Kora (February 2022). "Psychedelic use is associated with reduced daily opioid use among people who use illicit drugs in a Canadian setting". The International Journal on Drug Policy. 100: 103518. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103518. ISSN 1873-4758. PMC 8890776. PMID 34758431.
- ^ Jones, Grant M.; Nock, Matthew K. (2022-02-16). "Exploring protective associations between the use of classic psychedelics and cocaine use disorder: a population-based survey study". Scientific Reports. 12 (1): 2574. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-06580-2. ISSN 2045-2322.
- ^ Jones, Grant; Lipson, Joshua; Nock, Matthew K. (2022-06-22). "Associations between classic psychedelics and nicotine dependence in a nationally representative sample". Scientific Reports. 12 (1): 10578. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-14809-3. ISSN 2045-2322.
- ^ Johnson, Matthew W.; Garcia-Romeu, Albert; Cosimano, Mary P.; Griffiths, Roland R. (November 2014). "Pilot Study of the 5-HT2AR Agonist Psilocybin in the Treatment of Tobacco Addiction". Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England). 28 (11): 983–992. doi:10.1177/0269881114548296. ISSN 0269-8811. PMC 4286320. PMID 25213996.
- ^ Moreno, Francisco A.; Wiegand, Christopher B.; Taitano, E. Keolani; Delgado, Pedro L. (2006-11). "Safety, tolerability, and efficacy of psilocybin in 9 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder". The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 67 (11): 1735–1740. doi:10.4088/jcp.v67n1110. ISSN 1555-2101. PMID 17196053.
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(help) - ^ Grob, Charles S.; Danforth, Alicia L.; Chopra, Gurpreet S.; Hagerty, Marycie; McKay, Charles R.; Halberstadt, Adam L.; Greer, George R. (2011-01). "Pilot study of psilocybin treatment for anxiety in patients with advanced-stage cancer". Archives of General Psychiatry. 68 (1): 71–78. doi:10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.116. ISSN 1538-3636. PMID 20819978.
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(help) - ^ Johnson, Matthew W.; Garcia-Romeu, Albert; Cosimano, Mary P.; Griffiths, Roland R. (2014-11). "Pilot study of the 5-HT2AR agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction". Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England). 28 (11): 983–992. doi:10.1177/0269881114548296. ISSN 1461-7285. PMC 4286320. PMID 25213996.
{{cite journal}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ Jones, Grant; Lipson, Joshua; Nock, Matthew K. (2022-06-22). "Associations between classic psychedelics and nicotine dependence in a nationally representative sample". Scientific Reports. 12 (1): 10578. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-14809-3. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 9216303. PMID 35732796.
- ^ Carhart-Harris, R. L.; Bolstridge, M.; Day, C. M. J.; Rucker, J.; Watts, R.; Erritzoe, D. E.; Kaelen, M.; Giribaldi, B.; Bloomfield, M.; Pilling, S.; Rickard, J. A.; Forbes, B.; Feilding, A.; Taylor, D.; Curran, H. V. (2018-02). "Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: six-month follow-up". Psychopharmacology. 235 (2): 399–408. doi:10.1007/s00213-017-4771-x. ISSN 1432-2072. PMC 5813086. PMID 29119217.
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(help) - ^ Ross, Stephen; Bossis, Anthony; Guss, Jeffrey; Agin-Liebes, Gabrielle; Malone, Tara; Cohen, Barry; Mennenga, Sarah E.; Belser, Alexander; Kalliontzi, Krystallia; Babb, James; Su, Zhe; Corby, Patricia; Schmidt, Brian L. (2016-12). "Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial". Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England). 30 (12): 1165–1180. doi:10.1177/0269881116675512. ISSN 1461-7285. PMC 5367551. PMID 27909164.
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(help) - ^ Griffiths, Roland R.; Johnson, Matthew W.; Carducci, Michael A.; Umbricht, Annie; Richards, William A.; Richards, Brian D.; Cosimano, Mary P.; Klinedinst, Margaret A. (2016-12). "Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial". Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England). 30 (12): 1181–1197. doi:10.1177/0269881116675513. ISSN 1461-7285. PMC 5367557. PMID 27909165.
{{cite journal}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ Bogenschutz, Michael P.; Ross, Stephen; Bhatt, Snehal; Baron, Tara; Forcehimes, Alyssa A.; Laska, Eugene; Mennenga, Sarah E.; O’Donnell, Kelley; Owens, Lindsey T.; Podrebarac, Samantha; Rotrosen, John; Tonigan, J. Scott; Worth, Lindsay (2022-10-01). "Percentage of Heavy Drinking Days Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy vs Placebo in the Treatment of Adult Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial". JAMA Psychiatry. 79 (10): 953–962. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.2096. ISSN 2168-622X.
- ^ Argento, Elena; Socias, M. Eugenia; Hayashi, Kanna; Choi, JinCheol; Mackay, Lindsay; Christie, Devon; Milloy, M.-J.; DeBeck, Kora (2022-02). "Psychedelic use is associated with reduced daily opioid use among people who use illicit drugs in a Canadian setting". The International Journal on Drug Policy. 100: 103518. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103518. ISSN 1873-4758. PMC 8890776. PMID 34758431.
{{cite journal}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ Jones, Grant; Ricard, Jocelyn A.; Lipson, Joshua; Nock, Matthew K. (2022-04-07). "Associations between classic psychedelics and opioid use disorder in a nationally-representative U.S. adult sample". Scientific Reports. 12 (1): 4099. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-08085-4. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 8990065. PMID 35393455.
- ^ Willman, Chris (April 27, 2023). "Billy Strings and Willie Nelson Commit to Going 'California Sober' in Duet Released for Willie's Birthday". Variety. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
- ^ "In Popular Culture".