The process of recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction involves dealing with triggers. Despite the fact that triggers are almost always unavoidable, having the tools to deal with them is an important part of the recovery process.
Dealing with triggers is nothing new when it comes to addiction recovery. Events, people, and emotions that remind an alcoholic of their drinking days come back to them. A critical part of recovery is dealing with those alcoholic triggers and avoiding relapsing when they find themselves in situations that caused them to drink in the past.
Recovery is about growth, so addicts must come to treatment prepared to learn and grow. The belief that treatment is a one-stop-shop or a cure-all that will eliminate alcohol dependence is widespread. However, this isn’t true. Even after completing a treatment program, people will have to work hard every day to maintain their sobriety.
Alcoholic Triggers That Are Most Common
Triggers are events in a person’s life that cause them to recall memories. Things, places, people, and even smells can serve as triggers. This could be a traumatic memory or a memory of abuse. They’re linked to alcohol-related memories in this case. These triggers may trigger alcoholics by remembering previous times in their lives, thus prompting them to drink once again. To avoid relapsing, addicts must learn coping mechanisms and strategies.
Each person’s recovery process is unique, as are the triggers they encounter during the process. Certain things trigger some people while other things do not. There are numerous alcoholic triggers. Internal triggers and external triggers are the two main types.
External triggers are more common, and most people think of them when they think of a trigger. An alcoholic may experience external triggers when they visit places where they have previously consumed alcohol, when they are in the company of others who are drinking, when they see alcohol, when they celebrate, and when they are around people who remind them of who they were before they became sober.
Internal triggers are more about one’s feelings and thoughts. A headache, stress, mental health problems, negative emotions, anger, and other symptoms may accompany them. Whatever triggered the individual to drink in the past may serve as a trigger for him or her now.
Alcoholic Triggers: Healthy Ways to Deal with Them
Despite triggers being complex, it is possible to deal with them healthily, and those suffering from them can rest assured that they are not powerless. Self-awareness is the first step to identifying and managing triggers healthily. Self-aware individuals can recognize both the trigger and the driving force behind their actions before they react. You can effectively manage triggers by:
- Exercising
- Resting
- Attending therapy or counseling,
- Meditating or practicing mindfulness
- Being around positive people.
People who practice mindfulness are able to focus on the present moment. Those who do this are able to detach from painful or distressing experiences, which can help them cope with stress.
At Taylor Recovery Center, our health experts are ready to help you deal with alcoholic triggers healthily. When individuals learn healthy ways to manage triggers, they can thrive without resorting to harmful coping mechanisms that hurt them or others.