Have you ever heard of pink cloud syndrome in relation to substance abuse? The term describes the idea that in the initial stages of recovery, when you hit major milestones, you can feel a sense of euphoria as if nothing can hold you back. Unfortunately, euphoria is a hard emotion to maintain when you run up against natural daily difficulties and setbacks. You go from floating in the clouds to flat on your feet, desperate to return to those first amazing feelings of freedom and invincibility.
Euphoria is great while it lasts, but it can also lead to relapse if you aren’t careful. While you’re in the haze of the pink cloud, you may neglect to create routines that support your sobriety, thinking you’ll never be affected by your addiction again. You may also stick with old habits, crowds, and haunts that undermine your efforts. So, enjoy it, but implement the following techniques to avoid having a relapse.
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Relapse Prevention
In this moment of relief from the struggle of addiction, it’s a good time to make decisions on what best serves you. Waiting until temptation stares you in the face will only invite trouble. What do you want, and how do you get there?
- Evaluate what your lifestyle will be when you go home from the substance abuse inpatient treatment near you.
- Are there contacts and associations that will encourage you to drink or use drugs? Can you break ties with people who won’t support your sobriety or at least limit contact? While some relationships are lifelong, like a sibling or parent, hanging out with your drug dealer might not be the best option.
- Are there places you go that have high-stress situations that will trigger you? How will you avoid bad situations going forward? For example, many clients end up in custody battles while trying to get sober. If these situations get ugly, perhaps a mediator or impartial third party could support you and your children so you don’t fight with your spouse in front of them. That way, you can proactively manage stress rather than just reacting to it.
- Establish habits that will help you manage stress so you don’t turn to drugs and alcohol. What relaxes you? Find what helps you stay calm and do it regularly so stress doesn’t become unmanageable.
- Is there music you find soothing? Establish a time when you can go and enjoy your music uninterrupted. You can also explain your new habit to other members of the household. That way, when stress arrives, you can tell your family you need a little music time to relax.
- Do you have a favorite thinking spot, preferably in nature? While people-watching can be fun, there are a lot of distractions. Finding a park, nature trail, river, or lake to go to will allow you to connect to something bigger than yourself and feel the peace only nature can provide.
- Do you like to chill in the bathtub or pool? Many people find water soothing. If you don’t have a pool, a bubble bath with music or a good book is an excellent alternative.
- Connect to your Higher Power. Meditation, meaningful prayer, and deep study of your spiritual beliefs will give you strength when challenges arise. It is the faith you build in times of calm that will carry you through times of chaos. If you need guidance, faith-based treatment centers can help you.
- Go to all your meetings, no matter how invincible you feel. Counseling sessions, 12-step meetings, and an alumni group like Renaissance Ranch’s Band of Brothers or Sober Sisters will help keep you focused on the long-term goals of health and sobriety.
- Build healthy relationships. Whether you’re repairing damaged relationships or getting to know someone new, build strong ties that will be mutually beneficial with people who support your sobriety. They can help hold you accountable, comfort you during setbacks, and help celebrate your milestones.
- Create new habits to replace old destructive ones.
- If you always hit the bar on the way home from work, drive in a different direction.
- If you always drink after dinner, go for a walk to disrupt the pattern.
- If you’ve always relied on drugs or alcohol to help you have a good time, find sober groups and activities that will help you have fun in a new way.
Last Thoughts
Pink cloud syndrome isn’t all bad. It can be a blessed relief after the struggles of detox and the first stumbling steps toward recovery. Enjoy it. Revel in it. You earned this break. Just don’t forget to keep moving forward toward your goals.
Using this time to prepare for the next steps in your journey will ultimately move you from milestone to milestone until all of your new healthy habits are so ingrained you don’t have to think about them anymore. Your habits create a lifestyle that supports you no matter what comes your way.
Need help? Contact our substance abuse treatment programs for women and men in Utah and Idaho.