The “Pink Cloud” Effect

Substance addiction is characterized by pathologically abnormal psychology (thinking and behvior). A veritable showcase of contorted brain function and twisted psychology provoked by substance use is the so-called “pink cloud effect.” 

The pink cloud effect is a psychological phenomenon seen in alcoholism-addiction recovery, first described by Alcoholics Anonymous. It can be defined as the “state of mind, usually experienced in early sobriety, characterized by unusual happiness and grandiosity in spite of rather difficult life circumstances.”

If you belong to a recovery fellowship or support group, you'll see people in early recovery who appear a little "too happy." They might be on the pink cloud.

Most of the psychology literature views it as being undesirable and a negative influence on recovery, despite the positive emotions it entails. It is described as the dubious elation of early recovery, an inability to accept and meet present life circumstances, and a coping mechanism. It is felt to be dangerous to our recovery because we can ignore problems in our life, including mental health issues, and we can easily become complacent and over-confident in our recovery.

This may lead us to stray from our plan of action for recovery, and bring on the feeling that we’re good now – that it’s OK to drink or use again. As well, the pink cloud effect doesn’t last forever, and when we fall off the cloud, we can fall hard.

Feeling good in early recovery is OK

It’s very important to distinguish between the pink cloud and the normal elation we will feel from life in our newfound freedom from substance use. We finally have this toxic tonic, this noxious narcotic, this vile vinofile villain of vitality off our back… and our brain. For the first time our mind is clear.

Our time, energy, and thought are ours again, no longer sacrificed to fulfilling our obsession with obtaining and using our poison potion. Every one of our senses is alert and alive – we feel re-born. Long forgotten emotions awaken. We can live now, connect with people, we have time to do things. Yes, we have many problems, but we are learning how to feel good about ourselves, for once. (For a great discussion about this, see "Self-Forgiveness and Recovery" click here).

We may belong to a fellowship of people who accept us, see the good in us, understand us, and show by their example that long-term recovery is realistic and wonderful. We are also learning to stop allowing our problems “own” us. We are feeling good physically and mentally, things we lost are coming back to us, and we are slowly regaining the trust of ourselves and others. We may be exploring spirituality for the first time. So naturally we’re going to feel pretty good about ourselves and our situation. However, some who are new to the ways of sobriety can feel so good that it interferes with their ability to function properly. That is when we have the pink cloud.

Normal Happiness versus the Pink Cloud

So how do we know if we or another is riding this dangerous pink cloud? There is a fine line between the normal elation of early sobriety, and this pink cloud. There is no blood test, no set way to determine if someone is too high on life, but it’s usually clear after even a little time with the affected individual. The line is crossed when people have lost touch with reality, their emotions are not adjusting to reflect their real-life situation, and they are in denial about their problems and challenges. Over-confidence in their recovery is noticeable and concerning.

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Why the "Pink Cloud" happens

It’s our brain function and psychology rebounding from our substance that causes the rise and fall of the pink cloud. First of all, our emotions have been anesthetized by drugs and alcohol for so long, the sudden awakening of normal feelings can be intense. We alcoholics and addicts tend to operate in extremes, and our newfound return of emotions is no exception.

Addictive substances make us "high" by stimulating an over-production of the feel-good brain chemical (neurotransmitter) dopamine (and a few others with it). Our brain tries to compensate for these abnormally high levels of dopamine by down-regulating its natural production of dopamine and dopamine-stimulated receptors. (For a discussion of the brain effects of addiction and recovery see "The Brain in Addiction and Alcoholism" click here, and "Brain Inflammation in Addiction and Alcoholism" click here).

When we stop using the offending substance our dopamine levels drop precipitously, but it can take a long time before the brain starts producing normal levels of dopamine and its receptors again. Dopamine levels are therefore bottomed-out and the effect is a feeling of lifelessness, being down, lacking energy. It can take months before our brain has recovered its old dopamine system, and if the pink cloud effect wears off before this happens, we go from an extremely elevated mood to an extremely low mood, in a matter of hours.

Rebounding from the Pink Cloud

This sudden drop can knock us off our feet and cause a depression which will keep us off our feet. Obviously, this is not only a terrible outcome in itself, but it’s also a major risk for relapse.

Even people whose dopamine system has normalized by the time the pink cloud wears off can run into problems. They may feel boredom after the high emotions give way to more modest feelings and stop doing the things they need to do to stay sober. They may feel despondent, fearing that something is wrong, and they may question if recovery is worthwhile.

It’s proper to be happy in sobriety and to be proud of our accomplishment, but when it gets to the point of distraction from real-life and our necessary efforts for recovery, then it becomes dysfunctional and should be addressed.

How to handle the Pink Cloud

There is no magic way to directly address this, other than an awareness of the problem so that we can watch for it in ourselves and in those around us. Often people don’t recognize they are “clouding,” and might not be amenable to the suggestion. Gentle persistence and nurturing are the key.

This is something that we must be aware of if we are serving as sponsor for a newcomer in recovery. Once people accept that they are on a pink cloud, they can’t be talked off it, but they can be talked through it. Discussing their immediate life issues and a plan for addressing them helps them face reality. As well, it is key to explain what the pink cloud is and how it works.

They must understand that the high emotions are temporary and will end, so that they can be mentally prepared. Close contact with friends in the know or a sponsor is crucial, so that help is there for the fall from the cloud. Isolation is characteristic of a low mood, so this should be watched for.

Missing recovery meetings and losing contact with friends and sponsor are concerning symptoms. It’s good to encourage a visit with their doctor to see if any treatment for any depression would help. Trying to tough out depression results in needless suffering and a sharp risk of relapse. (See "Alcoholism/Addiction and Depression" click here).

The pink cloud effect is only one example of why a comprehensive program of recovery and an extensive support system are crucial when attempting to break free from alcohol or drugs. The bottom line is this: I want you clean and sober, healthy and happy. We can’t allow a rose-colored cloud prevent that.

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