You’ve probably heard of AA and other 12-step programs, but they aren’t the only approaches to dealing with addiction. Instead, focus on one or two changes you really want to make, and let go of what you think you should do. There will be plenty of time to tackle other self-improvement projects in the future. As this stage ends, Turner explains, the reality of recovery work begins to set in. Think of it as a honeymoon phase, says Cyndi Turner, LCSW, LSATP, MAC, the co-founder and clinical director of Insight Into Action Therapy in Virginia.

This syndrome undoubtedly provides numerous benefits, so people have naturally found a way to take advantage of this condition. Similarly, the duration is inconsistent, and it depends on each patient’s personal experience. For example, those who relied on drugs for years to function normally can experience a stronger syndrome for a longer duration. Finally being sober and seeing the real world will bring them stronger sensations.

It doesn’t mean that your sobriety has failed and will be miserable from now on. It doesn’t mean much of anything at all, except that you stayed sober through another learning experience. Many people think they must not be doing recovery right, maverick sober living or worse, recovery won’t work for them anymore. They can’t accept that they were caught up in an emotional whirlwind for a while, and real-life can’t possibly sustain those feelings forever if they want to be sane.

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Overall, it can feel very similar to the high felt during active use of drugs or alcohol. Setback prevention focuses on making changes in a person’s life to set them up for success in recovery. Making a setback prevention plan can be helpful to know how to cope with situations like the pink cloud. This process involves developing techniques to deal with conditions that might trigger a craving and building a support system that will encourage you to stick to your plan. If a setback happens, it is best to examine the circumstances that lead up to the setback and try to avoid them in the future.

It’s better to get this kind of support in place how to flush alcohol out of your system before you deal with life challenges after the pink cloud phase. The problem with pink cloud syndrome is that it doesn’t last forever, and coming out of this phase can sometimes have a negative impact on your recovery. The real problem is not how long people will be flying on pink clouds, but what this condition can cause.

Payment of benefits are subject to all terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the member’s contract at time of service. Embracing the positive emotions it brings while staying grounded in recovery is essential. Awareness and education about this phase can help individuals prepare for the emotional fluctuations of recovery and maintain a realistic approach to their long-term sobriety goals. Organizations such as Magnolia Ranch Recovery emphasize the importance of navigating the ‘Pink Cloud’ safely by balancing positive emotions with a realistic approach to long-term sobriety.

Understanding the Psychological Dynamics of the ‘Pink Cloud’ Phenomenon

For some, the pink cloud gets them through the first few months sober more happily. Sure, the comedown will suck, but they’ll have a few months sober under their belts in which they have hopefully learned how to keep sober no matter the emotional state they face. I believe the pink cloud effect is a natural side effect of being sober for the first time in many years and getting our lives in order. It’s like going for vigorous exercise after we’ve been stuck inside for months (like in a pandemic). We have tortured ourselves so harshly for so long that our brains are joyous at any release. However, it would help if you kept it in mind as a part of early sobriety.

Before long, more and more recovery support groups adopted this name, and it slowly began to develop into a common term. When you call our team, you will speak to a Recovery Advocate who will answer any questions and perform a pre-assessment to determine your eligibility for treatment. If eligible, we will create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. If The Recovery Village is not the right fit for you or your loved one, we will help refer you to a facility that is.

After all, when we feel like we’re on top of the world, we don’t see the need to improve. They start building savings in a checking account that otherwise stays in the red. The pleasure from these benefits is sometimes overwhelming — intense enough that we start focusing on it ahead of anything else.

Find out how our professional addiction treatment plans can help and take the first step toward a healthier future. Pink cloud syndrome is when a person feels exhilarated or overjoyed during their first stages of recovery from a substance use disorder. The pink cloud feeling was first described in people who were in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which is an effective program to help people recover from alcohol use disorders. Professionals in the field of addiction recovery recognize the ‘Pink Cloud’ as a phase of euphoria and optimism that many individuals experience during the early stages of sobriety. While this phase can provide a much-needed boost of confidence and motivation, experts caution that it may also present risks. Understanding the ‘Pink Cloud’ is crucial for those in recovery, as it can be both a positive and a negative force.

Your addiction does not have to define who you are.

This is because they’re more susceptible to cravings and relapse than men. Younger people and those with a lower income are also susceptible to pink clouding. After detox or rehab, it’s easy to be overtaken by the pink cloud. The key to lasting recovery is ongoing support and participation in treatment. It can present unique challenges and potential setbacks on the road to lasting sobriety.

1. During the pink cloud phase, it’s tempting to make a bunch of sweeping changes.
2. Effective and truthful communication is required to continue to get the best out of this syndrome.
3. 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.
4. If you or a loved one recently got sober and is looking for additional support in recovery, Eudaimonia Recovery Homes can provide ongoing care in a safe and comfortable group living environment.
5. She eventually found herself attending no meetings and in a cacoon of seeming religious euphoria.
6. It’s like going for vigorous exercise after we’ve been stuck inside for months (like in a pandemic).

The Pink Cloud: It’s Not All Bad

One should admit that one has reached the bottom, reduce the ego, and recognize that one needs help daily. It is crucial for those experiencing the ‘Pink Cloud’ to remain connected with their support network and adhere to their recovery marriage changes after sobriety plan to mitigate these risks. It can make us so aloof to our behaviors that we might seem quite insane to others looking in. The main takeaway is that it exists and can happen to everyone, regardless of sober time. Newcomers frequently enter it because of the newness of sobriety and the sudden gifts it brings in their lives.

If you or a loved one recently got sober and is looking for additional support in recovery, Eudaimonia Recovery Homes can provide ongoing care in a safe and comfortable group living environment. With sober living homes in Austin, Houston, and Colorado Springs, we offer enriching living spaces for people in all stages of recovery. Although the pink cloud sounds like a very positive thing (and it certainly can be), the term is often used in a negative way. Typically, people in long-term recovery are more aware of the potential dangers of the pink cloud than those who have less experience in sobriety. You can work with a therapist who specializes in addiction treatment, or follow a different treatment plan while also working with a therapist to address other challenges in your life. The euphoria of pink clouding can make you feel like you’re, well, in a cloud.

What Are The Signs You’re in the Pink Cloud

Additionally, it allows these recently sobered-up addicts to see the world in a more positive light. With the stability of the constant positive mood over the next few days or weeks, it is easy to believe that the mood will last forever. Calmness is always present, and there is an excitement to make life-long commitments on impulse.