Quickly finding out what my "triggers" are...

I am on day 25 and have not had a craving one, until these past few days.
What is so frustrating about it is tha fact that my triggers are some of my family.
Really?  It makes me sit here and finally realized that YES, my mind was being altered during my use because there weren't a lot of things that bothered me during that 1 yr period.
So now that I am dealing with real feelings, I'm so frustrated with the fact that my triggers are completely about my brother and his wife.
Which really I should be expectant of because the 3 of us have never had a good relationship but geez....
We are advised to stay away from things that trigger us so I suppose that's what I need to do.
2 days until my next counseling appt and so thankful for that!

[IwillDoThis]

What was that, a breakthrough I heard.  You are growing and learning and you should be proud of yourself.  Family is a big one for me as well so I applaud you figuring it out and having the wisdom to just step back for now.  Keep it up!

[gg636]

Triggers suck... I am usually inclined to take when I am stressed or have to be around family... Hang tough my friend I am proud of you!.. I am still stuck at one stupid pill a day ...Well today I only 1/2... Why do I hold on???

[tomskat]

Hi there...triggers are HUGE and being able to identify them is extremely important. For some identifying them can take months!! It's good to hear you're in counseling as they will be able to best direct you as to how to deal with this situation. Stay strong and try to avoid your triggers if at all possible!! Good luck to you!!

[lulu747]

Hi Script...
As tomskat said...Identifying triggers is HUGE..And a wonderful sign that you are moving forward in your recovery.  I would say, that for most, family is a big-if not the biggest trigger.  All of our relationships shift when we get sober, because WE shift.  Counselling will help you to establish healthier personal boundaries within your relationships.  Guard your sobriety, it is sacred...
Proud of you...
Lu

[gnarly_1]

HI.....having to deal with life on lifes terms can be challenging as addicts it is best to remove our selfs from anything that reminds of of use tyhat includes persons places and things it really su cks whan its your best friend or family but you need to be selfish during early recovery it all about staying clean and staying away from trigers .....family can be a problem sometime your thrusted into a situation my golden rule on that is it is more of an annoyance but if there using there off limits get involved in aftercare as soon as you can you will learn ways to cope with these new emotions the sooner the better for right now you may just have to keep your distance good luck and God bless......Gnarly  

[Sarah11212]

The family I am referring to has never used.  
They also do not know that I did, for a year. That was not even an option to tell them bcuz they are already disgusted by me. In their eyes if you don't have a 4 yr college degree, a half million dollar home, 3 kids and brand new vehicles and toys, you are nothing.
You do not have a child out of wedlock and you do not get divorced. Both things that I have done.
I have never had a good relationship with my bio Dad as he is a raging alcoholic and was very abusive to me and my Mom while growing up. My brother on the other hand has always had a good relationship with him so we've butted heads about that for 20 years.
It's funny that in the year I was using, I could tolerate my brother and his wife but now that I'm clean, I cannot.
And for some reason, they are constantly on my mind and it sends me into rages of anger and I absolutely hate it.
And I also hate the fact that they are my one and only trigger.
I will be bringing this up in my counseling session tmrw before it makes me go crazy.

[IwillDoThis]

Just because he is a sibling doesn't mean he has to be part of your life, sad but true.   The ONLY person that sends me into a blinding rage is my mother and sister and I finally had to put physical miles between us to break away and now I just keep them a healthy distance by phone, when they start acting crazy and being stupid, I hang up the phone and step back.   I've gone months without talking to them because it is such a frustration for me.  Sometimes the best family you can surround yourself with are the friends and good people you find along the way, they become your "family".  Right now at least you've recognized that your brother and his wife take you to that place that you don't wanna go and THAT is a good thing so give yourself credit and try to let go for now as best as you can.