Do You Know Your Triggers

[gizzy32]

Triggers play a huge part in addiction and it took me a long time to identify mine to make staying clean easier. For me alcohol, stress and of all things, freaking excitement was a BIG trigger for me. I lived in fear for awhile after getting clean because i relapsed so many times and cravings terrified me they were so strong. I have learned there are ways to make this process a bit easier on ourselves and was wondering what a couple of your biggest triggers were for using. Have you made adjustments in your life to stay away from these things or limit them.

[Ella789]

#1Boredom.........  starts me thinking too much so I come on here when I get the chance ( that means when my husband isn't on the fishing forums).  It's his computer but he shares :)
#2Knowing that I have to go somewhere stressful.........  I always went for the pills under stress.
#3 Long trips.......... always used when going somewhere far away
#4 And probably the worst and hardest thing and still is at times, when I have my first cup of coffee in the mornings!!!!!!!


I just have to always be aware esp. these first several months because the first month was just hell for me, craved so bad at times I could cry, but I'm a big girl now!  So to say I don't still crave would be a big lie!  I want it to let go, and die,die die!!!!!!!  Damn cravings, be gone  with thou!!!  
Yeah, still crazy  :)
Ella

[worried878]

i didnt know my triggers..til bout 2 weeks after detox..then tears were rolling down my face and i knew exactly what they were...i had been playing the "numb" game and it catches up with u eventually...cant run away from ur probs..ur past..it is always there//staring at u in the daylight...it freaked me out to realize mine..as i had no idea what it was or there was such a thing..one positive thing//if there is a positive from this type experience//is that some live their whole lives and never ever realized their bugs//their triggers//even tho not an addict//everyone has sumpin//sumpin they bury...just diff coping mechanisms and ours was the pills..and i do know there r perfect people in this world..people who have never had a hard time//a loss//???or maybe not/i have this siter//gorgeous//married to an ortho surgeon/perfect family//i dont think she has ever experienced loss//yet.....most have sumpin deep down..and those who dont are very very lucky

[cattalina]

You're so right - identifying triggers is part of relapse prevention. I've noticed that my triggers have changed over time as well. When I first got clean I had a whole host of triggers, and one of them was being alone. I couldn't be alone in the beginning but now I'm able to do so without a problem. We all need to try and remember to see our red flags and re-identify our triggers cuz they do change just as much as we do in recovery.  :)

[avisg]

ohhh yeah for me figuring my triggers and doing something about it has been a major part of getting and staying clean .When your are clean they are pretty easy to figure out what they are cuz when you have a craving think about what is going on at that moment .:)

[SophieShine]

Amongst others, crowded places is a big trigger for me, some members of my family are as well. I did make the "adjustments" and some around me don't like it. I would have worried about that before and now I just don't care anymore, it's their problem!!! A huge step for me. LOL