Today marks a significant milestone in my personal journey toward sobriety. I have achieved a milestone of a year sober from alcohol, 90 days free from Kratom, and 362 days without smoking tobacco cigarettes.
While I am often considered “California Sober” due to my continued cannabis use, I have made a conscious decision to eliminate it from my life. This decision was prompted by my growing dependence on cannabis and the severe withdrawal symptoms I experienced during preparation for my brain scans. Recognizing the importance of maintaining a stable mental health baseline, I have decided to eliminate both cannabis and vaping nicotine from my routine. These substances have become crutches, preventing me from accurately assessing my mental health without their influence.
Unlike my previous experience in December when I abruptly stopped cannabis without a recovery plan and only managed to remain cannabis-free for a brief period, I am now employing harm reduction principles to gradually decrease my cannabis consumption and eventually achieve complete abstinence.
Harm reduction, in this context, involves several strategies. First, I will gradually reduce the amount of cannabis I consume through combustion (smoking). This approach aims to minimize the harm to my lungs by reducing the exposure to cancer-causing chemicals such as Benzene, Benzo[a]pyrene, Cadmium, Carbon monoxide, Formaldehyde, Lead, and Nickel, as well as other harmful chemicals like Ammonia, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and Cyanide. Additionally, it will help reduce the harm to my brain and body caused by reduced oxygen and blood flow associated with smoking.
In place of smoking cannabis, I will transition to consuming edible forms of THC, combined with CBD/CBN. Once I have effectively stopped smoking cannabis, I will gradually taper off the edible forms until I achieve complete sobriety from THC. However, I will continue using other cannabinoids like CBD/CBN to address specific medical issues I may have. Nevertheless, I will monitor the impact of these cannabinoids on my mental health and ensure that they do not hinder my progress toward reaching my mental health baseline.
Eliminating smoke, vapor, and alcohol from my system significantly reduces my cancer risk associated with their use and enhances my overall physical and mental well-being. Scientific evidence suggests that casual alcohol consumption alone increases the risk of at least seven different types of cancer, including breast cancer in women, colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, vocal cord cancer, liver cancer, oral cancer, and throat cancer. Smoking further increases the risk of over 12 forms of cancer and numerous other diseases. It’s evident that this lifestyle choice poses a grave threat to one’s health and longevity. I firmly believe that today, I will choose a healthier path, free from the shackles of addiction.
As defined by SAMHSA, recovery is a transformative process through which individuals enhance their health and well-being, lead self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential. Recovery is not about achieving perfection or sobriety; it’s a lifelong journey of self-discovery and growth. Each person’s recovery path is unique and deeply personal.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for your unwavering encouragement and support as I embark on this sobriety journey. Your presence in my life has been a source of immense strength and inspiration. I am deeply blessed and grateful to have such wonderful friends, family, and a supportive partner by my side. Their unwavering commitment to my well-being has been a driving force behind my healing process.
