This creates feelings of wellbeing, optimism and even euphoria as your brain’s chemistry rebalances. This rosy outlook typically occurs in the first few weeks or months of recovery. Unfortunately, it’s pink cloud: meaning, timeline and why its dangerous often short-lived – the pink cloud eventually dissipates, giving way to the reality of recovery’s ups and downs.
What is Pink Clouding?
The real problem is not how long people will be flying on pink clouds,but what this condition can cause. For many people, the unrealistic feeling of happiness holds a state that can be defined as a loss of memory regarding their pain and the devastating results of their addiction. No matter how good you feel in early recovery,it’s not a reason to skip 12-step or SMART recovery meetings or refuse other treatment.
Let’s Take the Next Steps Together
After detox or rehab, it’s easy to be overtaken by the pink cloud. We spoke to Sarah Jeffreis, the founder of First Aid Course Newcastle, for their insights and expertise on pink clouding. According to them, pink clouding is a short-term period of hyper-positive feelings among people in early recovery. Early recovery from addiction can be a rollercoaster of emotions.
When Does Pink Cloud Start?
While this boost can be motivating, it may also hide the ongoing need for structure and support. Before you know it, you’ll be picking up your 60 day or 90 day chip and things will be looking up. Hang in there, and remember not to take temporary for permanent. During this time, it may appear to others that things are going well; one of the common reasons we see for relapses when things are good. Reach out to friends and family; having a sense of community is vital to your rehab success.
Escaping the Pink Cloud and Preventing Relapse
When a person has been engaging in substance or alcohol use over a long period, their brains and bodies can become used to constant imbalances and a different state of mind. This can significantly interfere with or hinder the recovery process in different ways, including giving someone a false sense of recovery. Your self-esteem can skyrocket, making you feel invincible and capable of overcoming the challenges of recovery. Although this may sound great, it can negatively affect your recovery. At least in the middle latitudes of the world, storms generally travel from west to east.
Addressing the pain driving your substance use is vital for preventing relapse down the road. An integrated trauma and addiction program provides comprehensive, whole-person healing. The pink cloud can provide an emotional boost when you need it most.
- The recovery journey is beautiful over the long haul, but the first few months can be challenging once the pink cloud has worn off.
- Its origin is among the alcoholic community, as the term was first coined in Alcoholics Anonymous 12 steps groups.
- By understanding the nature of this phase and adopting certain strategies, individuals can make the most of the pink cloud stage and set themselves up for long-term success in recovery.
- CBT helps identify and change unhealthy thought patterns driving addictive behaviors.
- For many, it lasts anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
When you first get sober, it’s like the world takes on a new vibrancy. This euphoric state is commonly known as the “pink cloud” in recovery circles. Embrace the good feelings, but don’t be lulled into complacency. Engage fully in your recovery program – whether that includes therapy, 12-step meetings, or other support. Establish healthy routines and continue working on the root issues that drive your addiction. The newfound feelings of happiness and enthusiasm for living a sober life can get your recovery off to a strong start.
- The drug and alcohol withdrawal stage can be very uncomfortable and difficult to get through.
- There are valleys and peaks, and you should be prepared for them.
- Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life.
You are so occupied with the positive feelings that are experiencing in the present you forget that you have work that you still need to do. Not only that but while on the pink cloud, you may feel higher than life and disregard your responsibilities in recovery. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), women are more likely to experience pink cloud syndrome.
Unrealistic Expectations
When it comes to trauma and pink clouding, there can be stages where a person feels optimistic about their recovery and feels like they don’t need help and can overcome their challenges alone. When a person is recovering, they might get to a stage where they feel that everything is fine and experience feelings of happiness and an elevated mood. However, this stage comes to an end when they realize the challenges that can come after assault and the recovery journey.
The sun produces much more blue light than violet light, and because the blue light scatters far and wide (and our eyes are much more sensitive to it), the sky appears blue. You might already know that the spectrum of visible light contains a whole range of colors. And as you can see in the image above, each color has a different wavelength.
The idea of pink clouding in addiction recovery is similar to some responses to narcissistic abuse. It is also important that the feelings that come with and after pink cloud are normal and it is okay to feel this way. Talking to a loved one or healthcare professional about it can give you some peace of mind and help you figure out what steps you can take. After pink cloud, recovery can feel overwhelming and a person can become anxious and even disappointed. Getting back to normal life can feel difficult and recovery might not seem as it was when you were in the pink cloud stage.
Online Therapy Can Help
Sobriety has its ups and downs – the key is developing the tools to ride out the lows when that inevitable pink cloud eventually fades away. Outpatient treatment can be just as effective as inpatient treatment for addiction treatment. With this in mind, consider enrolling in outpatient treatment after your initial detox period. This type of treatment allows you to continue living at home while attending therapy and other programs during the day or evening.
Stay connected to your support network and continue working your 12-step program. If you’ve experienced trauma, don’t neglect that aspect of healing. The pink cloud will eventually fade, but with the right tools and support, you can maintain that sense of hope and possibility throughout your recovery.