Pink Cloud

[FunnyOne]

I know what the Big Book says about the pink cloud period, but could any of you actually relay your experience with it? Thanks

[CAPTAINZING2000]

tough one to recall

My emotions were really out of whack the first year or so.


I like the way life seems to roll along now though

[adore79]

Didnt/havent had one.

[CarolD]

For me.... it's a deep sense of absolutely knowing
that I could live with serenity and joy each day .

When I feel a tad ungrateful for this gift...
I recharge by sharing with others.

Recovery Really Rocks.....

[Emimily]

i think my "pink cloud" ebbs and flows, depending on my prayer and meditation, the meetings i'm making, the service i'm doing, and the fun that i'm having. when i'm stuck in self, my "pink cloud" is completely m.i.a.... when i'm in the sunlight of the spirit, my "pink cloud" hangs out as long as i'll let it.

the reason i keep "pink cloud" in quoties is because i don't think that phrase is particularly helpful... i know why it exists, but to me the joy of getting and staying sober starts to fade only when i step out of gratitude and into self - selfishness, self-pity, self-seeking behavior, temper tantrums, acting on emotions, etc. etc. even when i'm unhappy, i can grow and be grateful.

so that's my take on it. enjoy feelin good, and remember how it feels for when you maybe don't feel so good.

[McGowdog]

I don't think there is a pink cloud.

Do the work and receive a spiritual experience/awakening.

Keep your head out of the clouds and your feet planted firmly on the ground and you will not fall.

Spend less time listening to other people's experience, aka talk about a pink cloud, and get your own experience in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous and things will happen. You'll find yourself doing things you should have been doing all along.

If life takes off really fast for you and the heat is off and you get the job and the car and the relationship, etc. Well that's wonderful! But how's that 4th Step coming? Do them steps. Get those amends done. How's that prayer and meditation coming? What's your current experience in that stuff?

If you're gonna do A.A., do A.A.

[FunnyOne]

Well, that sounds like it's a good thing, but my counsellor quoted this:

"Upon experiencing this phenomenon for the first time, the addict or alcoholic is understandably excited. They begin to believe they now “hold the key” to their recovery. This is where the seed for relapse is planted. They begin to believe more in themselves than in the process they have been following. Without the pain as a daily reminder, they tend to forget about what it took for them to embrace recovery. Denial rears its ugly head and they minimize how devastating their drug addiction and alcoholism really was and that they have a disease of drug addiction and alcoholism that requires attention on a daily basis. Relapse prevention becomes an afterthought as the person becomes defiant and rebellious regarding suggestions contrary to their desires. Without resorting to drugs or alcohol, the individual in recovery is one step away from relapse. Remember, relapse is not an event, it is a process."

Any comments?

[keithj]

Originally Posted by FunnyOne

I know what the Big Book says about the pink cloud period...

I'm not trying to a smart *ss here, but really? It's not in the book. I can think of a few places in the book (working with others and family afterward) that describe some of the elation and enthusiasm of early sobriety, but I hear that pink cloud term getting thrown around with different meanings. Is it a false, temporary sense that everything is wonderful, or is it a fairly permanent result of continued recovery?

My experience with continued recovery is one of being at ease and comfortable. What I describe as content and solid rather than elated. And I'm a pretty happy guy. But that comfort is far more, well, comforting.

[Emimily]

Funny One,

(dig the name, btw)

McGowdog is on the right track. He's quite serious, but for a good reason. Relapse doesn't have to be a part of your recovery... for a lot of folks, it is, but it isn't a requirement. I have yet to relapse, and am not afraid of relapse, because of everything your counselor said - it's a process, not an event.

The best way for me to stay sober and recovering is to stay in the middle of my recovery. For me, that is AA. I have service commitments, I have sponsees, I stay in touch and try my best to stay as current as possible with my sponsor, I fellowship with sober folks, I make meetings, I pray daily, and I work the steps. For me, that keeps me in the solution. I'm bound to have bad days, I'm human, but my bad days don't have to sink me today. I don't have to drink over ANYTHING. I have a solution. If I put the footwork in, I stay sober.

Plus, I have fun. I have a lot of fun. I'm active and young and I love live music and movies and coffee shops, and I'm blessed to have sober friends who go running with me and we do yoga and go to shows and hang out... and life is good. Remember, no matter how serious recovery is (and it is!), we are NOT a glum lot!

Love!

[McGowdog]

Thx. I'm not dogging conselors by any means.

But my directions are in the book. They've already been written down, tried and tested and they already work.

Why add or take anything from them? At least read them, get an experience with them, and see what happens.

Relapse CAN be an event. I can have a "not a cloud on the horizon" moment, be at a picnic, and decide, "Wow, I'm gonna have a beer!" Blam! Mental blankspot! Bummer! But if you take these steps and get 5 done, you'll start to feel the drink problem has left you, and strongly. If you finish all of your amends, you're quite sure to not drink, even if you would!

If we're talking about being struck drunk, I know all about that. I've always had some clue, that I was in danger. But when I was not in a recovered state, I didn't heed the warning and got drunk. On my last drunk, I came back in without any hope or a plan. I was teachable. Booze sort of drove me back to A.A. when I really needed it and was ready to do something. That's the deadly serious part.

It would take a lot, and I mean a lot, for me to unravel now. People in my AA closed group count on me to be sober and show up to the next meeting. There was a time when I was "up for grabs", so to speak. I did steps and all that went away. I didn't need to see a counselor or a psychiatrist to get free of booze. I now see myself becoming more and more responsible and accountable. The spiritual life is a life of growth and maturity. But at the same time, I'm still true to myself. I have my assets and flaws, just like everybody else.

[4dogsandakid]

Originally Posted by FunnyOne

Well, that sounds like it's a good thing, but my counsellor quoted this:

"Upon experiencing this phenomenon for the first time, the addict or alcoholic is understandably excited. They begin to believe they now “hold the key” to their recovery. This is where the seed for relapse is planted. They begin to believe more in themselves than in the process they have been following. Without the pain as a daily reminder, they tend to forget about what it took for them to embrace recovery. Denial rears its ugly head and they minimize how devastating their drug addiction and alcoholism really was and that they have a disease of drug addiction and alcoholism that requires attention on a daily basis. Relapse prevention becomes an afterthought as the person becomes defiant and rebellious regarding suggestions contrary to their desires. Without resorting to drugs or alcohol, the individual in recovery is one step away from relapse. Remember, relapse is not an event, it is a process."

Any comments?

This has been my experience after stopping countless times, loving life, getting happy and fulfilled, then going back into denial about how bad it really was. I didn't have the pain as a daily reminder...and after all...I had stopped before and was able to achieve happiness. I could do it again...and again....and again...until I started putting my life and that of my young daughter in danger.

But I was never really recovering then....still not sure I am, but I'm not drinking and that's the best start.

[sugErspun]

Pink Clouds..I guess the best advice I have been given on such times is "Don't make too big a deal of them."

Just a part of life, alcoholic or not. For those of us who spent so long in pain, hopelessness...to feel good, to be free of worry, even for a moment, is a blessing and we can rush to judgement saying "FINALLY!"...but life is going to go on..up and down, good and bad..If my reliance is where it should be, neither state is an indicator of the quality of my life as a whole.

[FightingIrish]

For me the pink cloud was the first inkling that a sober life might not be such a bad thing. It was right after I was defogged enough to begin to appreciate the simple things around me.

As my sponsor said, when I was walking around saying, "EVERYTHING IS JUST GREAT!"...he said, "This too shall pass." I was so annoyed!

Eventually, though, life happenes, and I realize that I'm not going to be blessed with perfect contentment and peace all the time. Life is not going to hand me a basket of serenity that will last me my whole life.

That's where the steps came in for me. Today I have many "pink cloud" days where I just think, "wow, life is really good." Then I have days that are not like that. And I find that I'm usually the problem...nothing external.

[NoelleR]

1) "...I know what the Big Book says about the pink cloud period, but could any of you actually relay your experience with it?..."

2) "Well, that sounds like it's a good thing, but my counsellor quoted this:
"Upon experiencing this phenomenon for the first time, the addict or alcoholic is understandably excited. They begin to believe they now “hold the key” to their recovery. This is where the seed for relapse is planted. They begin to believe more in themselves than in the process they have been following. Without the pain as a daily reminder, they tend to forget about what it took for them to embrace recovery. Denial rears its ugly head and they minimize how devastating their drug addiction and alcoholism really was and that they have a disease of drug addiction and alcoholism that requires attention on a daily basis. Relapse prevention becomes an afterthought as the person becomes defiant and rebellious regarding suggestions contrary to their desires. Without resorting to drugs or alcohol, the individual in recovery is one step away from relapse. Remember, relapse is not an event, it is a process."..."

As to...........:

1) The term 'pink cloud' is NOT in AA's BB; at least not in the first 164 pages, which hold the key to recovery (AA's program; the 12 Steps). Most here have given their ES&H as to what one might call the own 'pink cloud' experience. For me, I decided to have a good life in recovery; clean 'n serene, and made the decision to be happy, joyous, and free, and for the most part, I've been able to keep this as my recovery experience since the first day.......and still going strong..... (o:

2) This quote....? It also is NOT in AA's BB; could you ask your counsellor where, or what 'recovery' book he/she was using.....? It seems like a lot of talk about 'relapse,' which has NO part in my recovery--not even the term. I don't know about my 'holding the key' to my recovery, but I certainly did hold the key to my feelings of.....: happy, joyous, and free.....and that was I made the decision to be that way, and it seems to have worked for 20+ years (and NO relapses-neither in recovery nor in the disease.....

I'm a very simple person, and my recovery is very simple.....: I don't p/u, and I use some simple steps/principles in my life, and have a very good life..... (o:



NoelleR

[Rob B]

Originally Posted by FunnyOne

I know what the Big Book says about the pink cloud period, but could any of you actually relay your experience with it? Thanks

The Big Book does not discuss Pink Clouds, It does however, go into great detail about the transformative power of God, By taking action I have and continue to experience this state of mind that words can't describe. If I had to use one word, it would be this.. Freedom

In my experience, the easiest way to miss this miracle is to start taking credit for it.

[BP44]

Rob is spot on, as usual. One of the first things I had to get free of is this notion that I have anything to do with being separated from alcohol, much less bringing myself to AA. That was about the love and grace of a Power I knew nothing about, and cared even less about. Ask the next person you meet that their " relapse is a part of their recovery" if they had anything to do with their relapse. More than likely they'll give you that deer in the head lights look, and say " sure I was, I chose to drink". People experience this love and grace in early sobriety, some moron labeled it a "pink cloud". My experience is this and nothing less, as I sought connection with that Power the grace has continued. There is a set of precise clear cut instructions on how that comes about, and if I follow them it continues to get better.

[BP44]

Oh yeah, I forgot...."relapse prevention". That phrase cracks me up everytime!!!! Put that in as a search and see how many people think they have something to do with preventing their relapse.

[jimhere]

Originally Posted by BP44

Oh yeah, I forgot...."relapse prevention". That phrase cracks me up everytime!!!! Put that in as a search and see how many people think they have something to do with preventing their relapse.

If I could prevent my next relapse I wouldn't need God.

[FightingIrish]

Or people who think their actions have nothing to do with their sobriety. *snort* That one gets me every time.

[Puddy]

It does mention the pink cloud in the 12 X 12. I was surprised that that term was around even then. I agree with all the usual guys about the Big Book and the program of action and the power of God etc

[McGowdog]

Figures it would be in the 12 x 12.

In our group, we don't use the 12 x 12. Maybe controversial to some, but not with us.

Part of the problem with the 12 x 12 for us is that it concludes. The Big Book isn't that way.

[Charmie]

funny,hello,this is just my ESH.im new in sobriety and after the initial foggy brain peroid cleared i started feeling alot happier.i go to lots of meetings,got a sponsor,am working on the steps,i have no compulsion to drink,just for today.i pray,,ALOT! every morning i give my will over to my God of my understanding.my way didnt work all my life,whys that gona change now? fought too hard trying so i surrendered.i am no longer running the show.i have had many things happen,good and bad including a close familiy members death and funeral,but by being sober odaat and following suggestions made to me and the programme of recovery my life is now how it has never been and how i never thought it could be.service plays a big part in recovery and preventing a relapse.im not elegible yet to do the phones or prison work,but God willing when i am eleiglbe i will be doing this.just for now i wash up at meetings and bake cakes for my fellow AAers,there is an 80yr old member,he fell off a ladder at the weekend and we all signed a card for him last night.i said i would take the card to the hospital,this is not for me,it is just part of the sort of thing i have found myself doing since wholeheartedly throwing myself into this programme.doing things for others without honestly wanting reward or a pat on the back,ie self seeking...i am just planning a trip to the US,i live in scotland,we will be leaving at the end of june and i am visiting a few friends from sr..miracle,,Gods miracle that i am,,so its up to Him what i do from here,,sorry i have rambled and got a bit off track,what i am trying to say is that i dont know about a pink cloud but life is d*mn good these days!

[barb dwyer]

I'm with Carol.

Personally - I LOVE when the pink cloud hits.
I recommend finding someone who's floating in their pink cloud,
and hang out with them until the feeling rubs off !

Kinda like when you ride behind an 18 wheeler for the boost, ya know?
NASCZR foks call that 'drafting' or something I think.

It works.

Early recovery 'pink clouds' could well be nothing more than the body marking a progression of healing. Physical and/or mental.
I'll have three years in August, and I still get them.
Just had one, in fact.
Yesterday.

Spent the day with a newcomer who is coasting around in their cloud and before I knew it - there I was ... happy right along with 'em.
So I took it to my meeting last night ...
and spread it around there a while, too.
Turned into a pleasant, jolly meeting.

Who knows?

And truly - who cares?

It feels GOOD to feel better.

I hope you experience one sometime.
I enjoy them, myself.

[Boleo]

For those who "REALIZE" the steps there are promises in nearly every step that can feel like a Pink Cloud. Take a look at these second step promises (BB Page 50) and see if it sounds like a Pink Cloud:

"They flatly declare that since they have come to believe in a Power greater than themselves, to take a certain attitude toward that Power, and to do certain simple things. There has been a revolutionary change in their way of living and thinking. In the face of collapse and despair, in the face of the total failure of their human resources, they found that a new power, peace,happiness, and sense of direction flowed into them."