Pink Clouding or Pink Cloud Syndrome is a phase many people in substance use recovery experience once they’ve gone through detox and withdrawal.[1] As they enter their first phases of addiction recovery, they have a sense of euphoria, optimism, and excitement at being sober. However, it is often followed by depression or relapse when the reality of their unrealistic expectations regarding recovery wane.
Key Points
- Pink Clouding or Pink Cloud Syndrome is a recovery phenomenon that many people experience in substance use recovery.
- Pink clouding happens early on in recovery, usually shortly after detox and withdrawal effects have worn off.
- Pink clouding is recognized for causing people to feel overly optimistic and euphoric about their recovery process, often causing them to have unrealistic expectations around their sobriety.
- These unrealistic expectations about recovery often result in relapse after the optimism and excitement of pink cloud syndrome fade.
What is pink clouding?
The term “pink clouding” was coined in 1992 by Bob and Deborah Wright in their book “Dare to Confront: How to Intervene When Someone You Care About Has an Alcohol or Drug Problem.”[2] In their book, they describe pink clouding as a feeling of euphoria – being on a cloud and feeling as if everything in life is rosy – or pink. They argue that this is a normal feeling most people have in the early stages of recovery. Once this optimistic high of the honeymoon phase wears off and the reality of the difficulties of overcoming an addiction sets in, a relapse often occurs.
What are the signs of pink cloud syndrome?
Each person in recovery may experience pink clouding slightly differently. In general, it is categorized by an increased self-esteem and an optimistic (and at times unrealistically positive) outlook on sobriety and recovery that occurs after detox. Other signs and symptoms of pink cloud syndrome include [3]
- Elevated mood: feelings of extreme joy, happiness, and euphoria
- Extreme optimism: hopeful and positive outlook about the future and the recovery process, confident in one’s ability to remain sober
- Increased energy levels: high levels of motivation to complete everyday tasks
- Eagerness to reestablish relationships and activities: preoccupied with the positive aspects of recovery, repairing relationships, improving emotional awareness, establishing mindfulness routines, and appreciating a new peaceful state of mind
- A positive outlook on life: establishing a commitment to positive lifestyle changes
- Increased engagement in recovery-related activities, such as therapy, Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and 12-step programs, at times can border on preoccupation or almost obsessive levels.
- Overlooking the hard work of recovery necessary to maintain sobriety
While these can all be healthy steps towards establishing and maintaining sobriety, the key issue with pink clouding is that it can set up the person in recovery to be in denial of the hard work ahead and have unrealistic expectations of what is necessary to maintain sobriety.
When Does Pink Clouding Happen?
There isn’t a specific timeline for when pink cloud syndrome will start or how long it will last during recovery. People usually experience it after detox, and when withdrawal symptoms have subsided, this can be a few days post-detox or a few weeks. Pink cloud syndrome may last a few days or up to a few months.
Potential Positive Effects Of Pink Clouding During Recovery
Some of the potential positives of pink cloud syndrome are that it can give a person the motivation to continue with their recovery process, heal from addiction, and make lasting life changes. It can empower them in a way they may not have experienced control over their life until now. The feelings of energy and optimism may be a complete shift for some who have struggled with hopelessness and despair most of their life.
Potential Negative Effects Of Pink Clouding During Recovery
One of the main concerns with pink clouding is the potential to have unrealistic expectations about recovery and denial about the hard work ahead. Recovery is a lifelong process for some people and requires significant work to maintain sobriety. When first experiencing pink clouding, it can make it seem like maintaining sobriety is a walk in the park. As the stressors of everyday life and the recovery work started, and as the effects of pink clouding begin to fade, the opportunity for relapse grows.
For some people, the false belief that recovery is easy causes them to stop their addiction treatment program as they believe they have successfully overcome their addiction. This false sense of security increases one’s risk for relapse. Many people experience disappointment and depression as pink cloud syndrome fades.
Managing Emotions And Expectations
Knowing what pink clouding is, when it happens, and the signs and symptoms can help you manage your expectations around the recovery process and maintain sobriety. Knowing that pink cloud syndrome is temporary and that there will be an emotional letdown when it starts to fade can help you prepare for those feelings and limit the probability of relapse.
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome
After experiencing pink cloud syndrome, many people move to experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). PAWS is a frequent cause of relapse. PAWS can last for an extended period, up to two years after detox. One of the dangers with PAWS is that the symptoms can come and go, which also increases one’s risk for relapse. Symptoms of PAWS include [4]
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Changes in energy levels
- Lack of enthusiasm
- Difficulties concentrating
- Disturbed sleep
Supporting Your Recovery After Pink Clouding
Things you can do post-pink clouding to support your recovery include
- Reminding yourself that these feelings are normal. Pink clouding is a common aspect of recovery and the feelings and difficulties people experience after pink clouding are normal, too
- Reaching out to your support network for help
- Keeping your therapy appointments
- Attending support groups
- Focusing on self-care activities that make you feel good
- Being patient with yourself, you are making big, lifelong habit changes, which take time
A survey of those who were in long-term recovery identified the most significant situations that helped them begin and maintain their sobriety, including: [5]
- Escalating consequences of substance abuse
- Support of peers, family, and friends
- 12-step fellowships (AA/NA)
- Substance-related accident, arrest, and/or legal trouble
- Treatment professionals
- Surrendered, desired to move forward and recover
- Birth of a child, desire to be a responsible, present parent
- Spirituality or higher power
Recognizing the Stages of Relapse
As pink cloud syndrome fades, the risk of relapse rises. Recognizing common stages of relapse can help you get help before you or a loved one relapses. Stages of relapse include: [6]
- Emotional Relapse
During emotional relapse, you aren’t thinking about using. Usually, you’re remembering your last relapse and know you don’t want to repeat it. However, your emotions and behaviors are setting you up to relapse, and people in this stage are frequently in denial. Poor self-care is one of the main reasons for emotional relapse. Self-care includes emotional, psychological, and physical care. It can be remembered by the acronym HALT: hungry, angry, lonely, tired.
- Mental Relapse
During a mental relapse, you are fighting with yourself and your desire to use versus your desire not to use. Your ability to resist relapse slowly diminishes as your desire to use increases. Avoiding high-risk situations is your primary goal at this time to reduce your likelihood of relapse.
- Physical Relapse
During a physical relapse, you have begun to use again. Many people experience physical relapse due to being in a situation where the opportunity to use presents itself. It is an important part of treatment to identify these situations, avoid them if possible, and plan for exit strategies when they occur.
Understanding the Effects of Pink Clouding on Recovery
Pink cloud syndrome is a normal phenomenon many people experience during early recovery. Recognizing the signs and symptoms and acknowledging you are experiencing pink clouding can help you reign in overconfidence, use your newfound optimism to maintain treatment attendance and goals, and lean on your support system for help.
Knowing that pink cloud syndrome fades and that there will be hard work ahead to maintain sobriety can ground you toward setting realistic expectations. Having reliable and consistent treatment is key to post-detox aftercare for you to establish your recovery success.