Why Are Basic Needs Important in Early Recovery?
When you first get sober, eating enough, drinking enough water, and getting enough sleep are extra important. The premise of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is that you must have these things in place before you can pay attention to higher needs like community, meaning-making, or self-actualization. This is true for everyone, and particularly so in […]
Settling in After the Pink Cloud
After detoxing or in early sobriety, some people experience euphoria for a few days or weeks. This is referred to as the “pink cloud.” Sometimes people worry that after this wears off, real life in recovery will be a harsh reality check. As someone who experienced the pink cloud when I was just over two […]
What to Expect in the First Weeks and Months of Sobriety
The first days, weeks, and months of sobriety can be some of the most difficult. Depending on what substance you used, the severity of your use, and other factors, you may be going through withdrawal for a few days to a few weeks. If you have any concerns about the safety of withdrawing, it’s useful […]
Coping With Anhedonia in Early Recovery
Drugs and alcohol interact with the brain’s reward circuit, which normally helps you experience pleasure from healthy rewards like eating, socializing, listening to music, or having sex. With chronic substance use, the brain adapts by lowering dopamine receptors and diminishing the reward system’s sensitivity. This is why in early recovery, some people experience anhedonia, the […]
Sober “Firsts”
Many of us in recovery started drinking or using drugs at a young age—meaning when we get sober, we have a lot of “firsts.” This means the first time you experience each life event without drinking or using. It might be the first time you go to a party sober, or date sober—or even feel […]