Do you know your triggers? If so- how

One of my triggers early on was being really happy or excited. That’s when I would want to celebrate :tada: with drinking.
Having a sponsor and sharing with him all my secrets has helped. Asking God to remove any fear or triggers that may have cropped up is another good way to deal with them…

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This is similar for me but once I start doing good I get into self sabotage and feeling like it’s not good enough or never good enough @kevincurry48550

Reminds me of the serenity prayer need to try to remember it while in the moment. Those are my triggers too @ks137636

I completely understand that as I seem to in the past build up then tear down. Build up, tear down.
I finally realized that 99% of my problems are in my head. I had to start thinking differently. Listening to different music, reading spiritual books, motivational podcasts, hiking, meditation going to meetings, and volunteering. Talking about the stuff that bothering me with my sponsor. Helping another Alcoholic has been a great way to get me outside of myself and the pity party like to sit in.

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You’re completely right about changing the headspace - doing and thinking different and breaking the old patterns. It’s just hard work sometimes. I appreciate your strong words keep on sharing brother @kevincurry48550

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Welcome Brother Andy!
I’m not perfect but I’m trying my best. Thank you for the topic tonight. Keep asking questions. Stay sober my friend. You’ve helped me more then you know.

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My trigger is being home alone on the weekends. Nothing makes me wanna hit the bar more than a Saturday with Netflix. I just ride it out so far.

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If I don’t stay busy, I think about drinking. So I try to stay busy. But this nice weather, and When my kids are gone. Those are my triggers. Idk what to do w myself,

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Staying busy and creating activities and making plans does help. @kayla137542

@ethan139526 hang in there the weekend is nearly over too we over halfway there. Be well

I don’t like the concept of a trigger. But it exists for a reason.

Some externality is going to make you feel a certain way and you will react to it accordingly. Early on anyway. Over time, you will learn to not react to those externalities, by choice.

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” -Unknown

What I am working towards is not learning to avoid or run from my triggers, but simply to not respond to them. I don’t want something or someone dictating my actions or how I feel. I will act and feel how I want to act and feel about things.

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Ty I like this a lot

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Mine is thinking I “deserve to indulge” (shopping, drinking, eating etc) because I’m doing so well. After all I did accomplish things throughout my day or week. Or it is Sunday and I should just relax at Brunch. Or I worked out. Or I cleaned my apt. Etc. Instead of just being happy that I accomplished the tasks I set out without mixing in the self sabotage.

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I’m in a program right now and this past week was on relapse prevention. If you’d like I can share some of the things we talked about! Basically right a list of people, places, and things. Then in the same vein, right a list of people, places, and things that are resources. It was extremely eye opening

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I relate so much to this. Trying to find a positive outlet for the good energy @lisa139286

Ty for sharing- putting this stuff to paper is powerful. @john138105

Heartache is a trigger for me. At almost four years sober I was surprised. I don’t have much experience with heartache and sobriety. Trying to figure that out now.

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Yeah- not as much a trigger as being sober allows us to feel those intense feelings instead of masking them with substances. Sending positive energy your way it gets better

Yeah - I get it. I also work as a sobriety coach so I know all the things to do. It’s just always so different when it smacks you in the side of the head. I find that painting really helps me to just let go of it all :purple_heart:

Where do you work as a sobriety coach? I am interested in helping others too @krystyann135064