In 2018, pop singer Demi Lovato had a near-fatal overdose. At first, after her survival from that, she remained fully clean and sober from alcohol and drugs. But, three years later, she is now declaring to the world she’s doing something called “California Sober”, which in a nutshell is drinking and using cannabis in moderation. Being a recovering alcoholic and addict myself, hearing this come from a mega star with millions of followers truly disturbs me, solely because it’s going to mislead countless people into believing that the controlled use of addictive substances is possible for an alcoholic/addict.
I like what Bill Wilson, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous once said on this very subject:
“We do not like to pronounce any individual as alcoholic, but you can quickly diagnose yourself. Step over to the nearest barroom and try some controlled drinking. Try to drink and stop abruptly. Try it more than once. It will not take long for you to decide, if you are honest with yourself about it. It may be worth a bad case of jitters if you get a full knowledge of your condition.”
I actually did exactly as Wilson suggested in my active addiction days, as I believed that I could control my alcohol and drug use, and for a while I did. But, honestly, anyone, even the hardcore alcoholic/addict just like myself can control their use of addictive substances for a period of time, sometimes if only just to prove to themselves they’re not as sick as others suggest they are. But, in the long run though, here’s the simple truth I discovered on this path of controlled drinking and drugging:
I ALWAYS EVENTUALLY RETURNED TO BEING A SERIOUS ALCOHOLIC AND ADDICT.
That’s why it really frustrates me when someone as famous as Demi Lovato suddenly declares publicly that controlled drinking and drugging actually works. Look, I’ve known countless alcoholics and addicts over the years besides myself who have tried the controlled approach to their addiction at some point in their using days, none of which ever ended well, as there was always, and I do mean always, some condition of their life that ultimately led them back into their disease again. Whether that was the loss of a job, a financial hardship, some relationship woe, a death of a loved one, or maybe even just a seriously bad day, none ever remained free of their addiction in the long run.
Sadly, not only will many end up believing that controlled drinking and drugging is possible because of Lovato’s words, but many will also end up wreaking more havoc upon their life in the process of figuring that out. Some may even go to the brink of death or actually die because of believing that something like “California Sober” actually works.
Bill Wilson was totally right in his words on this subject, which thankfully I experienced long enough to know that controlled drinking and drugging doesn’t work and short enough to thankfully remain alive to tell others of this.
This is precisely why I fear for Lovato, as she is walking a very scary line that quite possibly will lead her down the same road she’s already been, one that almost led to her death prior. I pray she wakes up before that happens and realizes that “California Sober” may sound like a good thing, but it really doesn’t work. Because addiction is always doing pushups around the corner, waiting for us to have some unfortunate circumstances arise, circumstances that will lead to welcoming the disease fully back with open arms, solely to help cope with it. As one who has done controlled using has never fully learned how to cope with life on life’s terms.
God willing, this is exactly why I’m done with consuming alcohol and drugs in this life, as controlled drinking and drugging, or “California Sober” as it’s being referred to now, never worked for me and re-engaging in either will only lead me straight down the same paths I’ve already walked, and they are ones I know I wouldn’t survive again if I tried to traverse them again.
Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson
