Many newcomers in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous hear the term “pink cloud,” but just what is the pink cloud?
The “pink cloud” refers to the first few weeks or months of sobriety when the body is finally clean of toxins. The person has started working the steps and has become involved in the fellowship. Their eyes have started to clear, the delirium tremens (physical shakes from detox) have subsided, and the fog has lifted. The pink cloud is the term for a euphoric feeling of peace, serenity, and hope. After battling the disease of alcoholism for so many years, a new lifestyle can be quite refreshing. Unfortunately, this euphoria does not last forever because life continues to happen. The hope is that once people get a taste for how good life can be clean and sober, they’ll keep coming back for more.
Although the pink cloud will burst after some time, it that doesn’t mean the good aspects of recovery are gone.
This is far from the case. In active addiction, many of us have numbed ourselves completely from all feelings and emotions. Once we have sobered up physically and started working a spiritual program, we ultimately feel better. Then life happens… we lose our job, the car is wrecked, our significant other leaves, or something else bad happens. What we learn from the 12-step program is that nothing is made any better by picking up a drink or drug. There is no amount of alcohol that can fix any problem. It will only make the problem worse.
If you are experiencing the “pink cloud,” enjoy it. Just take it with a grain of salt. Know that challenges will arise and have a plan for how you will respond.
The hardest days sober beat any day drunk or high. It just takes the willingness to get started. If you enter treatment with doubt, you will leave with hope.
