Pink clouds sound like another name for cotton candy or something you might see in a painting of unicorns and rainbows. Unfortunately, in the recovery community, pink clouds are a potentially dangerous and problematic concern. At Highland Hospital Behavioral Health, in Charleston, West Virginia, we treat mental health concerns that are accompanied by substance use disorders. We want our patients and their families to know about this risk to their sobriety.
What is Pink Cloud Syndrome?
When a person is new to recovery, often just out of withdrawal, they may experience a feeling of blissful excitement that is unrealistic. They might even feel like they have been cured. The overconfidence a person may feel in their sobriety is often considered to be a “honeymoon phase” of recovery. Pink cloud syndrome may sound and feel wonderful, but when people overestimate their ability to handle threats to their recovery, it can place them at higher risk for making decisions that jeopardize their sobriety. Symptoms of this phenomenon include:
- Euphoria
- Hope
- Positive outlook about their ability to stay sober
- Fixation on the benefits of sobriety
- Increased awareness of emotions
- Naivete about what will be required to maintain recovery
Can Pink Cloud Syndrome be Good?
One of the great things about this phase of recovery is that the “mental noise” of addiction is finally gone and the person can begin to feel what it is like to live sober. If the person can stay realistic about their recovery, this blissful time, which can last for a few weeks or even several months, can help to strengthen their commitment to their new, sober life. Individuals who are in this stage of their recovery journey can keep their feet on the ground by listening to their sponsor and other people with more experience with maintaining sobriety and by focusing on building the tools they will need to maintain sobriety after the giddiness has passed.
Not an Official Diagnosis
It is important to remember that pink cloud syndrome is not a well-studied scientific phenomenon. It is a commonly observed pattern that many in recovery have witnessed, but every case is different. Just because someone shows signs of pink cloud syndrome does not mean they are doomed to relapse when the mundane reality of the daily grind sets in. There is no need to smother the joy of someone who seems to be a little too high on life or cause them to be fearful that they are headed for disaster. It is often most helpful to just be present for them and offer them honest information about the ups and downs of the recovery process, so that when their elation inevitably wears off, they have the support they need to continue pushing forward.
What Comes After Pink Clouds?
Once the newness of recovery wears off, a person who is fresh to recovery may also experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), which is characterized by:
- Memory issues and difficulty concentrating
- Trouble sleeping
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Depression
They will also start to feel the full range of human emotions again. While in addiction they may have numbed emotions with substances, in recovery they will have to learn ways to feel and manage them. This can be accomplished through:
- Therapy – a therapist can teach you skills for managing and expressing emotions in healthy ways.
- Journaling – many people find that writing about the emotions they feel during recovery, including the pink cloud era, can give them something to re-read later to remind them why they want to stay sober and what they want from their new life.
- Reality checks – it’s important to have people who can provide you with honest and realistic assessments of your situation. The people who are often good “reality-checkers” are therapists, sponsors, treatment counselors, and trusted, sober friends and family. Whoever you choose to keep you in touch with reality, make sure that it’s someone who isn’t afraid to be honest with you and whose advice you will take seriously.
- Consistent recovery work – although you might not feel like you need to call your sponsor, go to therapy, or attend a recovery meeting, maintaining habits like these can strengthen your recovery by providing a consistent routine and keeping your life focused on sobriety.
- Self-care – besides the sobriety-specific tasks that strengthen recovery, it can also be helpful to focus on general self-care like nutrition, hydration, regular exercise, getting good sleep, and meditating.
At Highland Hospital Behavioral Health, we use an evidence-based, trauma-informed, integrated approach to help people begin and maintain their recovery and mental health. We teach coping and problem-solving skills, give patients the tools to build better home and work lives, and restore consistency in our patients’ lives. Additionally, we offer family support and education to help loved ones learn how they can best support our patients’ recovery journey.
