Alcoholism is difficult. It’s not something to be taken lightly. You need to know your triggers if you want to get better.
Triggers are situations or things that make you feel vulnerable. They can be a person, place, or even a word. They are different for each person.
Here are some ways you can identify what your triggers are. Identifying them will help you recover. If you understand them, recovery is within reach.
- Know Yourself
We are all unique.
What triggers one person might not trigger another.
Knowing yourself is the only way to know what your triggers are. Think back to times that you’ve had too much to drink. Are there things these times have in common?
Maybe you were around a particular person. Or maybe there was a situation that made you feel stressed. Perhaps you felt powerless and out of control.
Once you think back, you’ll probably be able to identify things that upset you.
Share these discoveries with your friends and family. They can help you avoid these situations.
There’s no reason to be ashamed of your triggers. And there’s nothing wrong with sitting out on an activity that would tempt you to drink.
If you always drink with a particular person or group, you might need to cut them out of your life.
Prioritize your own health.
- Find Help
Don’t do everything on your own.
You might think it’s strong to do things yourself, but it’s not.
You can’t do everything on your own. Trying to do so will only make things worse for those around you. Ask them for help.
Then seek out professional help. Alcoholism is a serious issue.
There are medical and mental health professionals who are there to help you. They know what they are doing, and they won’t judge you. It’s literally their job to help you recover.
The type of treatment and help you’ll need will depend on your problems.
Here is information on different treatment types.
No matter what your issue is, you’ll be able to find professional help.
- Reflect
Take a step back and think about your life.
Even if you think you know yourself, there is more to learn.
Take some time to reflect on everything you’ve ever been through. It might sound cliché but thinking about your childhood will give you valuable information.
A good way to reflect is to keep a journal. It creates a record of everything you’re feeling. You can go back and look at it later.
Journal about what you’re going through today or write about things you’ve gone through. You don’t need to be a literary genius. No one else needs to read what you’ve written.
If you don’t like writing, use another creative outlet to reflect.
Draw a picture or color. It will unleash the inner child in your mind.
Photography and music are other healthy ways to express yourself. If you feel comfortable doing so, share your reflections with friends and family.
Reflect with them. They can provide insights you wouldn’t have seen.
- Understand Stress
Stress is a trigger for just about everyone.
That’s because everyone gets stressed. However, the way in which we process stress is unique.
Just take a look at some of the many causes of stress. Even traffic or bad weather is a valid cause for stress.
Alcohol is not a healthy outlet for stress, but it’s a common one.
Once you have identified that a situation is stressful, you should seek help. Call a friend if you can. If you can’t get in touch with anyone, find another healthy outlet.
Watch a movie you find comforting. Listen to a song you enjoy. Or jot down your feelings in your journal.
Do whatever you need to do to remove yourself from the stressful situation. It doesn’t matter how ridiculous it seems.
The important thing is that your strategy works.
- Transforming Habits
Even if we don’t realize it, we have habits.
Think about the patterns in your life. What are the things you do every day? What could you change?
Maybe you have a negative habit you didn’t know existed.
Or maybe you could change one or two things to create a healthier lifestyle.
Ritual is powerful. Adding it to your life can make a huge difference.
Ritual doesn’t have to be religious or take lots of time.
It can be as simple as making a cup of coffee.
Conclusion
You have triggers whether you know it or not. Identifying them is one of the first steps to recovery.
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