The Sober Life

      There a quote it goes something like this “The minute you think you're over your addiction your addiction is doing press-ups”  This is effectively what they mean when they talk about the “ Pink Cloud ". The term is mainly associated with Alcoholics Anonymous and their legendary twelve step program. It refers to a euphoric state in the early stages of recovery when your mind becomes clear and the future looks bright. The effects of whatever you were taking is out of your system and you have stabilised your thoughts. The danger of the pink cloud is that it can mask actual recovery and can lead you to become complacent about the challenges you may face.   I am extremely happy now I do not think I am overselling it, but i f I did move through a more euphoric phase it was to do with the relisation I no longer had to make a decision about drinking anymore. Do you know how good that feels? It was such a bloody relief that I no longer had to listen to my own ...

                                             “I knew have should have taken that left turn at Albuquerque”  Bugs Bunny I guess we all know what triggers are. They are like the flush of feeling you get when you come across an old photo you haven’t seen for a while. You get lost for a split second and are transported into the past. It is the same for me but triggers don’t just hang around in draws. They ride on people’s voices, they surf on arguments, they explode in party poppers and resonate in the bells of celebrations. In themselves these shadows of former feelings do not offer a direct threat to my sobriety. The problem is when they remind me of previous reactions and responses, this can lead to a manifestation in the here and now. Old responses quickly excuse current actions and future projections.  I know I need to tune in as in the distance the alarm bells ...