17. The Phenomenon of the Pink Cloud
The "pink cloud" theory is a phenomenon that can occur in early recovery from addiction where the addict may feel a sense of euphoria, exhilaration, and/or gratitude for their newfound sobriety. This is a positive experience for many, BUT it can also be a double-edged sword that leads to unrealistic expectations and complacency.
The pink cloud is an idea that, after years of addiction and self-destructive behavior, individuals in recovery experience a profound sense of relief and hope when they first achieve sobriety. They are suddenly freed from the vicious cycle of addiction and the chaos that often accompanies it. The addict may begin to feel a renewed sense of purpose, clarity and motivation to pursue their goals and dreams. This is often accompanied by feelings of gratitude as they begin to appreciate the people, opportunities, and experiences that they once took for granted. The addict has a renewed lease on life… or so it seems.
The pink cloud experience is often brief. I’ve heard it jokingly referred to as a “honeymoon period” for someone in recovery. Well, I hate to break it to you, but honeymoons don’t last forever! As the initial rush of sobriety begins to wear off, addicts find that they still struggle with a lot of the same underlying issues that once contributed to their addiction in the first place. Some of these issues may include, but are not limited to anxiety, depression, trauma and/or low self-esteem. They encounter new challenges and stressors that test their determination and resilience. When this happens, the pink cloud can suddenly vanish from underneath the addict, leaving them feeling disillusioned, discouraged and vulnerable to relapse. Like my good friend always used to say to me, “I sure as hell hope you have a pink parachute for when that (explicative) pink cloud you’re on pops; because it will eventually pop, Kyle.”
As I stated earlier, the pink cloud can also be a double-edged sword for addicts. Sometimes their pink cloud experience in early recovery is so intense and all-consuming that it leads them to become overconfident, or even complacent in their recovery. They believe that they have overcome their addiction once and for all, and that they will never again experience the cravings or temptations that once led them down the path of addiction in the first place. DO NOT BE FOOLED. These beliefs are deceiving and can be extremely dangerous, as they can lead the addicted individual to let down their guard, ultimately leaving them vulnerable to relapse. As addicts, we must remember that we are never fully recovered from our disease. In the Narcotics Anonymous literature, it clearly states, “We suffered from a disease from which there is no known cure. It can, however, be arrested at some point and recovery is then possible.”
So, how can we avoid the pitfalls of the pink cloud phenomenon? Well, it’s all about balance, baby! It is important for individuals in recovery to acknowledge the challenges and difficulties that lie ahead of them. It’s just as important that they celebrate the progress they have made. Remember, recovery is a lifelong journey that will have ups AND downs along the way. It’s important that the addict remain focused on the end game – sustained long-term sobriety from their addiction.
Setting realistic expectations for yourself is helpful when trying to avoid the pink cloud “trap.” Setbacks and relapses are unfortunately very common in recovery, and it is extremely important to use them as opportunities for growth and/or learning. This can prove to be especially difficult at times (trust me). Rather than beating themselves up and feeling like a failure, the addict should utilize these experiences to help them identify what triggers their cravings. They are then able to develop coping strategies that they can use in the future to help them maintain their sobriety.
And remember, if you’re struggling, or know someone who is struggling, please don’t lose hope. If that had happened to me, I wouldn’t be able to spread awareness today.
