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"What is California Sober?" Demi Lovato

Singer Demi Lovato announced that she was"sober in California.""Sober California" is a recovery method that includes moderate alcohol and cannabis use.


Although this method is controversial, experts say that some people can control their drug use through harm reduction strategies like this one instead of maintaining a fully conscious lifestyle. However, this method is not recommended for people with addictive substance use patterns.


In July 2018, singer Demi Lovato took an overdose of heroin mixed with fentanyl and was nearly fatal.In a recent interview with"CBS Sunday Morning", Lovato said that she is now "sober in California," which means she drinks alcohol and uses marijuana in moderation. In the interview, Lovato stated that she did not believe her approach was the safest for everyone and was cautious in explaining in detail.


We asked several experts to share their opinions on the "CaliforniaSober"methods, which are suitable for people with substance use disorders. Chapter Harm reduction is a place for some peopleDr. Vanessa Kennedy, director of psychology at Driftwood Recovery, said that complete abstinence from mind-altering substances that can cause addiction is the definition of "awakening." However, he added that another philosophy that Demi Lovato and others might think of is called "harm reduction." In harm reduction, a person uses strategies to control substance use and reduce the negative or life-threatening effects of drugs and alcohol.


"The term 'CaliforniaSober,' the use of drugs that are considered life-threatening than 'harder' drugs that can cause overdose and death, appears to fit the harm reduction framework," Although this method is controversial, Kennedy said that some people can control their drug use through harm reduction strategies. However, others cannot, especially those with addictive substance use patterns.



"People with addiction difficulties often find themselves unable to control their use of substances, either because they cannot"stop"while using them, or because their use can have life-changing consequences (e.g., overdose, medical problems) , Mental problems worsen health problems, such as attempted suicide, relationship conflicts, unemployment, legal problems), so it is necessary to quit smoking completely," he said.


Dr. Ernesto Lira de la Rosa, a clinical psychologist and media consultant for the Hope Depression Research Foundation, said that although drug abuse treatment has traditionally been classified as a one-size-fits-all approach, also known as abstinence, other methods, such as injury reduction. describes harm reduction as a series of strategies, plans, and methods, the goal of which is to reduce the use of substances and the negative effects of substances, while allowing people to exercise steady restraint or make efforts to stop taking drugs.


Lira de la Rosa said that people need a way to consider their own identity, medical history, mental health and goals to reduce or reduce substance use. "For some people, harm reduction may be one of the steps to achieving abstinence ... [and] it is essential to ensure that we take into account the complex and multifaceted phenomena of substance use,"said Lira de la Rosa to Health line. Is it good to drink in moderation and marijuana?


Joseph R. Volpicelli, MD, Ph.D., founder and medical director of the Volpicelli Center and executive director of the Institute for Addiction Medicine, said he asked his patients to consider their recovery from other drugs before using alcohol or to smoke. Cannabis stability.


For example, he said that in the early stages of recovery, a person may feel conflicted about maintaining abstinence."Alcoholism can blur people's rational thinking, leading to poor impulsive decisions, such as relapse from drugs.While marijuana is still illegal, buying cannabis allows people to get in touch with drug suppliers and easily get other drugs. "Also, people who are in the habit of using alcohol or marijuana and other drugs may crave drugs when they drink or smoke marijuana," he said. If the use of a certain drug increases your desire to use more drugs, this may have an unhealthy relationship with the substance. It can cause harmful consequences usually associated with addiction.


"Therefore, the use of alcohol or marijuana during recovery from other drugs depends on each person's personal circumstances. I often ask them to consider the consequences of their choice rather than provide simple answers to complex questions," he said.



Volpicelli said you can ask patients the following questions:If using alcohol or marijuana will increase their risk of relapse, no matter how small? If you assume that it is safe to drink or use marijuana, and your assumption is wrong, what will you lose? If you think it is safe to drink or use marijuana and you will not do it again, what do you win? Is your relationship with alcohol or marijuana so important that you risk your life to maintain it?The responses helped him judge whether the relationship between the patient and the substance is healthy.



However, Volpicelli said that while many people in the addiction community are strongly opposed to the idea of​​drinking or using cannabis with a history of addiction, this emotion can damage confidence and prevent people from starting and continuing treatment.


Kennedy He said a person's drug abuse status and history determines whether they can drink alcohol or use marijuana in moderation.


Use the following questions as a guide:

  • Have they experienced a stressful period and temporarily drank too much alcohol and had some negative effects?

  • Will they be able to drink adequately and moderately when the pressure is reduced?

  • Are they tolerant, with withdrawal symptoms, or serious physical and mental health consequences duet o drug abuse?

  • Does drinking or using marijuana lead to the use of different drugs?



Sourced From:Health Line




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