Remember the good and forget the bad? That’s what happens with euphoric recall.
Euphoric recall is a powerful mental phenomenon that can negatively impact recovery from sex addiction. It occurs when the brain selectively remembers the pleasure and excitement of past sexual behaviors while minimizing or ignoring the negative consequences.
These distorted memories can trigger cravings, increase the risk of relapse, and make it more difficult to stay committed to recovery. That’s why recognizing and managing euphoric recall is essential for long-term recovery.
What Is Euphoric Recall?
Euphoric recall is an addictive way of thinking that highlights how great the event was while minimizing or even completely blocking out any troubles you may have experienced because of it.
When recalling events in your memory, the same areas of the brain activate that were in use during your pleasurable encounter. These memories create a biochemical response that may even feel better than the actual event. This allows you to justify behaviors and minimize costs and consequences.
Due to this enhanced memory of pleasure, you may experience some other difficulties, which are caused by your warped view of reality.
Positive Expectancy
As the brain’s biochemistry is altered as a result of the addiction, you may begin to expect only positive outcomes from engaging in the undesired behavior since your brain is blocking out or minimizing the negative impact. These expectations may lead you to believe that you are on the right path for a good life and can lead to distortions in judgment and your ability to control your impulses.
Anhedonia
Anhedonia can occur when the pleasure center in the brain is constantly stimulated with excess chemicals enhanced by recalling euphoric events. This means you can’t get pleasure from regular activities any longer. In addiction, this typically leads to engaging in unwanted behavior more frequently just so you can feel something.
Are Cravings Euphoric Recall?
Cravings are not the same thing as a false recollection of events. However, only remembering the positive feelings associated with your past behaviors — and failing to recall the bad that could occur as a result — can lead to craving the activity even more. Once this occurs, you must overcome these cravings to prevent a relapse.
Signs You’re Experiencing Euphoric Recall
So, how do you know if you’re experiencing euphoric recall or remembering an event accurately? Here are some signs of euphoric recall to look out for:
- Romanticizing Past Behaviors. This is when you remember only the pleasure and excitement of past sexual behaviors while ignoring the negative consequences. You also may view past experiences as better than they actually were or wish you could relive them, despite knowing deep down that they were harmful.
- Minimizing Consequences. You dismiss the damage that addiction and related behaviors caused. Instead, you think things weren’t “that bad.”
- Experiencing Sudden Urges. You feel an intense desire to return to past behaviors after you think about them.
- Feeling Detached from Recovery. You question whether recovery is necessary or if you actually had a problem. You may even start to think that recovery is just a waste of your time.
- Revisiting Triggers. You start looking at messages, photos, or other things that remind you of old behaviors, almost reminiscing about how great things used to be.
How to Cope With Euphoric Recall
You probably can’t control all thoughts of the past. People have memories. But you can attempt to ensure that you’re looking back realistically in a way that can help support recovery and prevent relapse.
Negative Recall
Focus specifically on the negative consequences that you’ll face and have dealt with if your past behaviors start looking attractive to you again. Whenever you recall the euphoria that comes with the actions, replace those thoughts with how bad you will feel if you give in until the euphoria passes. Use a journal or make a list of all of the costs of addiction if you find this helpful.
Grounding
Focus on the here and now instead of the past by engaging in an activity that uses your five senses. The physical sensations of grounding can make you more aware of the moment to take your mind off of unwanted recollections.
Some grounding methods to try:
- Suck on a sour or strongly-flavored piece of candy
- Sing a song or recite a poem
- Hold an ice cube and focus on the sensation as it melts in your hand
- Engage in strenuous exercise such as jumping jacks or running
- Go outside to focus on the sounds, or turn on a podcast to listen to
- Rub lotion on your hands or feet
- Drink herbal tea and savor the flavor
- Create something artistic
Meditation
Many people find meditation helpful in moving the mind from unwanted to more desirable thoughts. Not only will you change your thinking, but you will also be more relaxed and in touch with your mind, body, and the present.
Breathwork
Whether you choose deep breathing or more regulated forms of breathing, you must focus your attention on the technique, which will get your mind onto the present while providing some relaxation and relief from stress. Breathwork has various benefits in addiction recovery.
Avoid Triggers
Identify triggers of addiction or those that lead to euphoric recall (such as certain places, websites, or social media accounts) and avoid them. Use porn blockers to avoid materials online that might support addiction. Also, if certain situations or people prompt euphoric recall, take steps to avoid them, or develop strategies for handling them when they arise.
Reaffirm Your Commitment to Recovery
Remind yourself why you are in recovery and what your goals are for your life and relationships. Remember that recovery has challenges and every day you’re in recovery is a victory. Acknowledge your progress, even if it feels small, and reinforce the idea that change is possible.
Practice Patience and Compassion
Recovery is a long-term journey, and euphoric recall is just one of the challenges along the way. Be kind to yourself when it happens, and don’t view it as a failure. Acknowledge that overcoming euphoric recall takes time and effort. Treat yourself with the same compassion you would offer a friend in recovery.
Seek Support
When euphoric recall hits, or if you find yourself questioning your recovery, talking to someone in your support network or a mental health professional can help. Remember that you don’t have to try to fight euphoric recall or addiction alone.
Recovery With Begin Again Institute
Euphoric recall can make you question whether recovery is necessary by making you view addictive behaviors through rose-colored glasses. But addiction isn’t pretty, and you started recovery because it was harming you and those you love.
If you need help with recovery, contact Begin Again Institute today. We’re here for you.
Having been raised outside the US, Sako knows what it’s like to look at things from a different lens. His Armenian culture has fostered a love of close relationships where the messiness of human beings and all of their “stuff” is considered to be a part of the joy and experience of life. Sako identifies connection, compassion, humor, and growth to be his core values, which he brings into all parts of his life, especially his professional work.
