California Sober

“California Sober” is a wide open forum, without judgment, to share your experiences with “Calfornia Sobriety” which has nothing to do with either the State of California or “sober” as the term is used by people in AA.

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A Friend Worth Crying Over

It’s OK to Be Sad and Angry if I Direct It Properly

Joe Arshawsky

Nov 13, 2021

I Learned A Lesson From Every Relapse

Just As My Sponsors Told Me … and My Last Led to Weed

Joe Arshawsky

Sep 3, 2021

I am Not Sober Despite Smoking Weed

I am Sober BECAUSE I Smoke Weed!

Joe Arshawsky

Sep 6, 2021

Coping With Anxiety, Panic Attacks, and Even Manic Episodes

I Just Survived a Major Bout of All Three

Joe Arshawsky

Apr 29, 2023

When Life Gives You Chickenshit, Make Chicken Salad!

More Struggles on the Journey to Stay Alcohol-Free

Joe Arshawsky

Jan 29, 2022

What Do I Want To Be When I Grow Up? A Pot Advocate!

To Rid Myself of Toxicity, I Need to Reinvent Myself

Joe Arshawsky

Jan 3, 2022

Psyched for a Fun Halloween Day Without Alcohol!

Halloween Can Be a Harsh Holiday for Addicts, Here’s My Solution

Joe Arshawsky

Oct 31, 2021

Latest

My Wife Died Suddenly 36 Hours ago, and I Don’t Plan to Drink on It

“Till death do you part!” Those words I recited four years ago without a sad thought are now horribly actual. It’s a horrible end to a…

Joe Arshawsky

Aug 9, 2023

I applied for Disability Today and Am Listening to Hillbilly Music

I also “Enjoyed” a Heaping Helping of “Acceptance.”

Joe Arshawsky

May 11, 2023

I Have the Right and Ability to Change My Day!

I reserve the right to cancel appointments for my mental health

Joe Arshawsky

May 9, 2023

Today is More Than Five Years Since My Last Drink, Thanks to Grass

May 2, 2023, will be five years without cigarettes too. Cocaine? 2012!

Joe Arshawsky

Apr 14, 2023

Adjusting to a World Where I am No Longer Bipolar

After Two Decades of Medication, My Diagnoses Have Changed

Joe Arshawsky

Feb 6, 2022

Why do I put pressure on myself? For what? What’s the hurry?

I Have To Stop Getting “All Worked Up” Over Nothing

Joe Arshawsky

Feb 5, 2022

Celebrating Over Four Years Since My Last Drink!

How Did I do it?

Joe Arshawsky

Jan 19, 2022

Today is a New Day, and I Can Start Over!

I Get Knocked Down But I Get Up Again

Joe Arshawsky

Jan 5, 2022

No Room for Excessive Toxicity In My Life!

Now I Have to Detox — Starting by Return to Writing

Joe Arshawsky

Jan 1, 2022

I Survived My Worst Scare in Four Years Sober!

I Had Cravings Like I Have Not Had in Months

Joe Arshawsky

Dec 23, 2021

I Survived Thanksgiving Sober — But I Had a Hell of a Friendsgiving!

I Can Only Be Upset for So Long — Time to Rock!

Joe Arshawsky

Nov 27, 2021

The Bar Suspended Me Over The Time I Went Nuts!

Even Though My Actions Had Nothing To Do With Clients or Courts

Joe Arshawsky

Nov 22, 2021

My Best Friend is Dying, and I’m Not Going to Drink Over It

I’m Going Crazy Waiting for the Other Shoe to Fall

Joe Arshawsky

Nov 16, 2021

I’m Guilty of Trading One Addiction for Others

And I Couldn’t Be Happier

Joe Arshawsky

Nov 1, 2021

My Life-Long Love Affair With the Grateful Dead

45 Years of Music, Drugs, and Spirituality

Joe Arshawsky

Nov 1, 2021

Hey, Did God Just Shake Me?

I Had the Quick and Eye-Opening Type

Joe Arshawsky

Oct 26, 2021

First “Meet Joe Arshawsky” Event Today

Join Our Bold New Interactive Podcast

Joe Arshawsky

Oct 22, 2021

I Blazed My Way Through a Lot of Festivals

Burning Man and Regional Burns, Vagoose and Bonnaroo — the Birth of “Lazlo”

Joe Arshawsky

Oct 16, 2021

“Right Now,” I’m Doing Fine!

My Story of Addiction, Alcoholism, and Mental Illness Ends Well

Joe Arshawsky

Oct 15, 2021

Meet Joe Arshawsky, the Author

Meet, Share, Ask for advice, or Ask About My Articles

Joe Arshawsky

Oct 14, 2021

My Sobriety Includes Cannabis. If Yours Doesn’t: That’s OK, Too.

Getting sober is a different experience for each person. and for me it includes cannabis.

Jamie Toth, The Somewhat Cyclops

Oct 14, 2021

Dealing With All the Little Things in Life

When Reality Gets Overwhelming

Joe Arshawsky

Oct 12, 2021

2009: The Year I Bloomed in Active Addiction

My Year of Getting into the Deep Shit

Joe Arshawsky

Oct 10, 2021

Israeli Treatment of My Addictions for Seven Years

Hospitalized Twice and Sixteen Months in a Therapeutic Community in the Forest

Joe Arshawsky

Oct 7, 2021

A Lawyer Descends To the Abyss

Alcohol and Drugs Made My Life a Mess

Joe Arshawsky

Oct 5, 2021

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