While this phase can provide a much-needed boost of confidence and motivation, experts caution that it may also present risks. Embracing the positive emotions it brings while staying grounded in recovery is essential. Moreover, the ‘Pink Cloud’ can result in a lack of engagement with necessary recovery activities. Research indicates that relapse is common in the early stages of recovery, suggesting that the ‘Pink Cloud’ is often short-lived.
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That clarity and peace may give way to extreme joy that is difficult to maintain after the first early days of recovery. The drug and alcohol withdrawal stage can be very uncomfortable and difficult to get through. Together, we can build a plan that will help you to soberly navigate through whatever life sends your way. In addition, Healthcare suggests building in “reality checks” with people who can observe and be honest with you about how closely your perception seems to be aligning with reality.
However, it’s important to remember that while it can be a welcome phase, the pink cloud effect is not a permanent state, and the challenges of long-term sobriety still require attention and effort. The danger of the pink cloud phase lies in thinking the journey is over or that the first happy months represent the whole recovery experience. The ‘Pink Cloud’ phase in alcohol recovery is characterized by an intense feeling of well-being and euphoria that newly sober individuals often experience. 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. The ‘Pink Cloud’ is a term used in the context of alcohol recovery to describe a phase of early sobriety characterized by an intense feeling of happiness and optimism.
It’s better to get this kind of support in place before you deal with life challenges after the pink cloud phase. We are designed to cater to individuals who are seeking recovery from various challenges such as addiction, mental health issues, stress, or burnout, while also providing a high level of comfort and personalized care. When a person realizes their feelings about recovery are temporary and that there is hard work needed to be done to heal and recover, it can make them question their ability to overcome their challenges. The idea of pink clouding in addiction recovery is similar to some responses to narcissistic abuse. The pink cloud stage will come to an end, and managing daily stressors or difficult events can feel very discouraging and make it hard to keep up on the recovery journey.
- In this guide, we’ll explore the signs of Pink Cloud Syndrome, how it impacts recovery and practical ways to stay balanced through ongoing support and therapy.
- Individuals may skip therapy sessions or support group meetings, falsely believing they have regained control over their addiction.
- “Pink cloud” refers to a certain phase of recovery from alcohol misuse.
- So, when they float up to the Pink Cloud, it’s a welcome change from what they’re used to in their daily experience.
Addiction
These individuals feel free from their addiction and they think that this is it—they’re finally cured of their disease and ready to live a sober lifestyle forever. Typically, the feeling is more prevalent in AUD patients, but it’s also commonplace in SUD recovery as well. After detox, these changes that happen in the brain and body also cause chemical changes that can lead to elevated moods and positive feelings that feel like the “high” they would get under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
What Is the Pink Cloud in a Relationship?
In active addiction, people tend to use substances to “numb and homogenize” their emotions. As a result of pink cloud euphoria becoming too certain of their sobriety, a person may then make decisions that place themselves at heightened risk for relapse. Health plan’s telehealth and in-person services are subject to the same timely access to care standards. Need additional mental health or substance use support? With this kind of holistic treatment, recovery from substance use disorder is possible.
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Sooner or later, the gravity of their situation will come crashing down, and the return to the long road of recovery becomes inevitable. If the patient has the skills and strategies to navigate the rebound, they’re more likely to persist with their recovery when their brain chemistry returns to homeostasis. It’s critical for patients to continue their inpatient or outpatient program, even if they’re Pink Clouding and feel like they don’t need help anymore. Every day in recovery becomes a struggle again and any unresolved trauma, thought or behavioral patterns start to flood back into their frontal lobes and conscious mind. When the joy of recovery fades and the patients descend from the Pink Cloud, they’re left in the same spot they were before it swept them up into bliss.
Many people in addiction treatment and recovery go through the pink cloud stage, and knowing that others have experienced similar challenges can help a person learn ways to find help and know that it is normal to go through. Well, it’s a term used by the addiction and mental health communities to describe the feeling of optimism and euphoria experienced by people after stopping drinking or using drugs for a prolonged period. When a person is in the pink cloud stage, they experience feelings of euphoria and confidence about recovery, but after this stage passes, they often experience an emotional crash. The high feeling of pink cloud syndrome may also cause people in recovery to avoid real-life challenges, thinking that everything will be fine because they are feeling so good.
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- Together, we can build a plan that will help you to soberly navigate through whatever life sends your way.
- The name “pink cloud” comes from the feelings of euphoria and being on “cloud nine” and looking at the world through “rose-colored glasses,” Lyter says.
- You may have heard the term used by other people in recovery and been baffled.
- They stress the value of preparing for this secondary withdrawal phase to ensure sustained recovery.
“If you get into the state of euphoria and you think recovery is going to be a cakewalk, you’re really not prepared –– and when it comes to addiction, failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” Pink cloud syndrome is when someone in early recovery feels euphoria, optimism, and excitement about recovery, says Sarah Lyter, LPC, a Senior Primary Therapist with Charlie Health specializing in SUD. One of the most notable “ups” is what’s known as pink cloud syndrome.
Of course, you’ll also want to stick to any treatment plan that’s in place. Make sure your routine involves eating healthily, exercising regularly, engaging in hobbies, and doing things that bring you joy. Lyter says you may opt for a 12-step program or other sober support groups of choice. It’s not a matter of if challenges arise, but when. Recovery is a very individualized process, including how long this phase may persist.
What Comes After the Pink Cloud in Recovery?
Pink Cloud Syndrome is marked by a wave of positive emotions, often in the early days of recovery, giving individuals a feeling of intense optimism and relief. In this guide, we’ll explore the signs of Pink Cloud Syndrome, how it impacts recovery and practical ways to stay balanced through ongoing support and therapy. Recognizing and understanding this phase can help you stay grounded and keep moving forward toward lasting sobriety.
At first, the relationship can start as any other one would, but over time, the narcissist can display toxic behaviors that the other person may think are normal because the narcissist convinces them they love them. When this happens, it is important to take time, step back, and reach out for support. Relapse prevention involves using techniques and strategies to cope with certain challenges like managing triggers or fighting cravings. 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.
Mental Health Treatment
When a person is in a relationship with a narcissist, they can experience both emotional and physical abuse because of the narcissist’s desire for control and power over the other person. It is important to remember that even when a person has a plan set in place, they can still experience hard times and setbacks. The “love bombing” and reinforcement that is involved in narcissistic relationships can cause a person to feel the pleasure and “high” similar to one created by substances. They might think that their depression has been fixed and that there is no need to keep going to therapy or getting support because they feel happy. Even when things feel like they are going well, it is still essential to keep up with your treatment program.
“You might be having unrealistic expectations about what recovery is going to be like. “It can be a big sense of relief –– and I think that can really increase motivation for recovery and change.” The so-called syndrome usually occurs a month or so after becoming sober once the difficulties of the initial phase of withdrawal have worn off. Evidence-based therapy and medication-assisted therapy for full recovery. “Rates and predictors of relapse after natural and treated remission from alcohol use disorders.” Addiction, February 2006. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.
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Yet let’s also remind ourselves that it’s okay to descend from the pink cloud. Yet it’s crucial that we don’t view it as the end of the journey, but rather a scenic vista along our path to recovery. These fluctuations are part of the human experience and a normal part of recovery. The descent from the pink cloud, when reality begins to seep in, can be steep and slippery. Pink clouding is this period when our spirits lift, our confidence soars, and we are on cloud nine — or, well, a pink cloud.
Pink Cloud Syndrome Signs
AUD and SUD patients experience a slow deterioration of the natural levels of the neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine, in the brain. Receive weekly insights to help you and your loved ones on your road to recovery. Pink clouding is also sometimes referred to as the honeymoon period of sobriety. Through strategies like love bombing and gaslighting, a narcissist may manipulate a person into thinking they truly love them so that after they are abused, they still come back to them.
The pink cloud may create unrealistic expectations for the person as they begin their recovery process. Pink cloud syndrome is dangerous to addiction recovery because it can result in a person stopping their treatment process, thinking that they have overcome their substance use disorder and no longer need help. One of the main pros of the pink cloud phase is the infusion of happiness, motivation and energy that one feels during this time. Some individuals start experiencing pink cloud syndrome shortly after completing drug detox treatment, while others may notice it a few weeks later. Building a strong foundation for lasting recovery involves ongoing self-care, support from peers and professionals, and the development of healthy coping strategies to deal with life’s ups and downs. The danger of pink clouding is that it can lull individuals into a false sense of security, making them believe they no longer need to actively work on their recovery.
When challenging events or difficult feelings arise, the honeymoon period of sobriety ends, and the individual can feel very discouraged or disappointed about their recovery and fall into unhelpful thoughts and habits. In the honeymoon period, a person feels confident and optimistic about their sobriety and recovery. Relapse prevention can help a person plan for the challenges that can come after the pink cloud has worn off.