Originally Posted by MissPerfumado

I've seen plenty of pink cloud stories here, i.e. folks who were super happy in early sobriety after the first withdrawal stage passed. I had a pink cloud too and it stayed around for about 4-6 months. It was a stage of relief at being able to take charge of (not control, but responsibly manage) my life.

I levelled out after the first 6 months and at the one year stage things were a little more true, a little less "rainbows and unicorns". But I was still baseline happy compared to my drinking years. Like a true deep inner happiness, not a covering over of unhappiness.

Some folks don't have the pink cloud, but they seem a lot more settled than when addicted.

Either way, it will take some time for your body to adjust - remember that drink and drugs affects the biochemistry of the body profoundly, and it can take months to readjust your moods.

I feel sure you will feel real happiness again if you stay sober, Laura.