Many people in recovery believe sobriety means complete abstinence from all alcohol and drugs, including weed.
Others, however, are more lenient and tend to bend the rules when it comes to marijuana use. Some people still consider themselves sober while continuing to smoke weed simply because they no longer use hard drugs or drink.
Although neither form of sobriety is necessarily wrong, beginning to use weed can put your, sobriety at risk. It can be difficult to determine whether or not using weed counts as a relapse.
The Danger of Smoking Weed In Recovery
Smoking weed in recovery poses many risks. The use of weed, in general, is harmful, especially if used long-term and/or excessively. For those in recovery in particular, the use of marijuana can result in dependency, inability to cope with daily stressors that result from early sobriety, and the use of more dangerous substances.
Although many people view weed as fairly harmless, as much as 30% of weed users are thought to have some degree of marijuana use disorder, and 8.9% are believed to be dependent on it. While in recovery, especially early on, marijuana may initially be used as a crutch to prevent the use of other drugs and alcohol, but marijuana use can quickly turn into dependency.
In addition to this, many people who smoke weed in early recovery do so to cope with anxiety or stress caused by early sobriety. By doing this, you are not developing the necessary coping mechanisms to deal with this anxiety and to stay sober long term. The long-term and/or excessive use of marijuana can also lead to other substance use. This means that by using marijuana, you are putting your sobriety as a whole at risk.
In response to this, some argue that if you stay on a “marijuana maintenance” plan, your overall sobriety will not be threatened. This argument, however, has been rejected by the recovery community as it is believed to be an ineffective and, in some cases, harmful strategy.
Is Using Weed a Relapse?
The majority of the recovery community views weed use as a relapse. As a general rule of thumb, if you are unsure of whether or not you can or should use the drug, don’t use it. If you have to argue with yourself and others to justify your use of any kind of drug, it probably means your use of said drug counts as a relapse.
It is definitively hard to say whether or not using weed is a relapse. Deciding if your use of weed counts as a relapse depends on what form of sobriety you subscribe to. If you believe in abstinence, using weed would count as a relapse.
Both weed and alcohol alter your mood and how your brain functions, so if you believe in abstinence, using weed is a relapse.
Some hold the belief that since weed is legal, the use of weed doesn’t count as a relapse; however, if that were the case, alcohol use wouldn’t count as a relapse either.
In this case, your definition of sobriety will determine if the use of weed is a relapse or not. If you do not believe that you need to be completely abstinent to be sober, then using weed may not mean you relapsed. That being said, studies have shown that those who use weed, even once or twice, stay sober for less time. This means that even if you do not consider using weed a relapse, the odds are that it will eventually result in one.
For more information on relapse prevention and maintaining long-term sobriety, check out this resource on substance abuse relapse.
Stay Sober with Design for Recovery
Marijuana use can have significant impacts on mental health and can hinder progress towards a sober lifestyle. If you are struggling to stay sober without weed, Design for Recovery can help you regain control over your life. With the help of Design for Recovery’s sober living services, you can begin to develop skills that will help you stay sober long-term without weed.
Sobriety is a journey that requires commitment and dedication, and having a community of like-minded individuals can make a significant difference in your success.
At our sober living house in Los Angeles, we offer a structured and supportive environment that encourages personal growth and development. Our experienced staff is dedicated to helping you navigate the challenges of early recovery and achieve long-term sobriety. Residents work hard daily to develop new skills, values, and coping mechanisms for approaching life in early recovery.
With the right support and resources, you can achieve a fulfilling and rewarding life in sobriety. To further strengthen your recovery, explore effective sobriety strategies that can help you stay on track and achieve your long-term goals.
At Design for Recovery, we believe that addiction recovery involves more than just physically abstaining from substances — it involves building a new way of life. If you or a loved one are seeking sober living in Los Angeles, it’s important to find a safe and supportive environment that prioritizes your recovery goals.
Table of contents
- The Danger of Smoking Weed In Recovery
- Is Using Weed a Relapse?
- Stay Sober with Design for Recovery
Apply for our Sober Living
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does Weed Relapse Feel Like?
For many people who have been addicted to weed, relapse can feel like a nightmare. All of the progress that you have made in overcoming your addiction can suddenly feel like it has been undone. You may feel hopeless, helpless, and ashamed. Relapse can be a very difficult experience to overcome, but it is possible. With the right support and treatment, you can get back on track and continue working towards your goal of sobriety.
What Happens to Your Brain When You Stop Smoking Weed?
When you stop smoking weed, your brain goes through some changes. The first thing that happens is that the levels of THC (the main active ingredient in marijuana) decrease. This can lead to withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and irritability. Your brain also starts to readjust its neurotransmitter levels. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that help transmit messages between neurons. Cannabis affects the levels of two neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine is associated with pleasure and motivation, while serotonin is associated with mood and anxiety. When you stop smoking weed, your brain needs to readjust the levels of these neurotransmitters. This can lead to symptoms like depression, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping.
How to Sober Up From Smoking Weed?
If you’re looking to sober up from smoking weed, there are a few things you can do. First, drink plenty of fluids, especially water. This will help to flush the THC out of your system. Second, eat healthy foods and avoid sugary snacks, as they can make you feel more sluggish. Finally, get some exercise; a short walk or run can help to increase your heart rate and speed up the sobering process.
Does CBD Count as a Relapse?
If you are in recovery from addiction, you may be wondering if using CBD count as a relapse. The short answer is that it depends on how you use it. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in cannabis plants. Unlike THC, the other well-known cannabinoid, CBD does not have any psychoactive effects. This means that it will not get you high or alter your state of mind in any way. So, if you are using CBD products for medicinal purposes, such as to relieve pain or anxiety, then it is unlikely that this would be considered a relapse. However, if you are using CBD recreationally, then it is possible that this could be counted as a relapse
Can you Smoke Weed in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)?
Smoking weed in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is discouraged because AA emphasizes total sobriety, avoiding all mood-altering substances, including marijuana.
Many in AA see using marijuana as a relapse, as it can impair judgment, give a false sense of control, and potentially lead to using other substances.
Even though marijuana is legal in many places, its use in recovery can be risky, leading to isolation from the recovery community and increasing the risk of returning to alcohol or other drugs, ultimately jeopardizing recovery.