Is Using Weed a Relapse?

The term "sober" generally means abstaining from substances that alter your mental state, but the definition can vary depending on context:

Traditional Sobriety (Abstinence-Based): In groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), sobriety typically means complete abstinence from alcohol, illicit drugs, and sometimes even prescribed medications that could be mind-altering. By this definition, smoking weed would mean you are not sober.

Harm Reduction or Personal Sobriety: Some people define sobriety differently. For example, if someone has stopped drinking alcohol but occasionally uses cannabis, they might still consider themselves sober from alcohol. This approach is more individualized and depends on what the person is working to avoid.

Medical/Legal Definition: In certain situations, like drug testing for work or legal purposes, using cannabis (even in states where it's legal) could be considered not sober.

If you're exploring sobriety for personal reasons or in a recovery context, it's important to clarify your goals and what "sober" means to you.