Summary: <p>In addictive behaviors, triggers make you want to use and cravings are the repetitive thoughts reminding you over and over again that you want to use. We have triggers for just about everything. Some are obvious, like the sight of alcohol may trigger people to start craving a drink. Some are not so obvious, the impending anniversary of a loss may trigger a person to want to use alcohol or drugs to escape from the grief. In this presentation we will cover what triggers are, discuss ways to identify personal triggers and explore ways of dealing with triggers and cravings.</p> <h3>Show Notes</h3> <p>Objectives<br> Define Triggers<br> Define Cravings<br> Explore ways to identify triggers and cravings<br> Discuss methods to deal with triggers and cravings<br> Why I Care/How It Impacts Recovery<br> People, places, things and times can trigger<br> The desire to use<br> Anxiety<br> Depression<br> Grief<br> Understanding your triggers is the first step in being able to avoid or deal with them so a relapse doesn’t “sneak up out of the clear ble”<br> What are triggers<br> Triggers are anything that prompt you to think about and/or do something.<br> Touching a hot stove is a trigger for…<br> The alarm clock is a trigger for…<br> A commercial for a bacon double cheeseburger is a trigger for…<br> A billboard advertising vodka is a trigger for…<br> The smell of freshly baked brownies is a trigger for…<br> Triggers<br> Learn to recognize triggers<br> Exposure to the addictive substance or behavior<br> People, places, things, times of day<br> Particular emotions (even good ones)<br> Physical feelings (sick, shaky, tense)</p> <p>Triggers are things that:<br> Remind you of the good feeling the addiction provided<br> Make you want to escape<br> What are triggers<br> Sometimes triggers are not super obvious<br> Habits<br> You get up in the morning you…<br> When you are watching television you…<br> When you hear a certain song on the radio…<br> Random Associations<br> Telephone rings<br> The smell of exhaust fumes<br> Football games</p> <p>Why are Triggers Important<br> You do things that are rewarding and avoid things that are punishing<br> Triggers are like push notifications for the brain<br> Many people return to their addictive behaviors when they are depressed or anxious and cannot figure out why (unidentified triggers)<br> Ralph and the Mice<br> Trigger Identification<br> Mindfulness<br> Practice being aware of<br> Your surroundings<br> Sights<br> Smells<br> Sounds<br> Your self<br> Breathing<br> Muscle tension<br> Thoughts (Head)<br> Mood/Feelings (Heart)<br> Intuition (Gut)<br> Addressing Triggers<br> Increase those things that help you feel<br> Positive/clear headed<br> Happy/content<br> Safe/comfortable<br> Decrease those things that trigger feelings of<br> Confusion<br> Mental turmoil/frustration<br> Depression<br> Anxiety<br> Guilt<br> Resentment<br> Hypervigilence</p> <p>Addressing Triggers<br> Some triggers cannot be eliminated or avoided<br> Distract don’t react<br> Change your dialogue/positive self-talk<br> Recondition it to trigger something positive<br> Payday<br> Sporting events<br> Holidays<br> Work<br> Deal with it<br> Cravings<br> A craving is a repetitive, consuming thought or desire for something<br> Commercials use the trigger/craving concept to motivate you to buy things<br> Cravings generally fulfill some real or artificially created need<br> Cravings<br> Cinnamon Buns (smelling them at the mall)<br> Escape (stress, boredom, cruise commercial)<br> Drugs/Alcohol</p> <p>Dealing with Cravings<br> Triggers exist and cravings will happen<br> When you are triggered and have a craving<br> Ride the wave<br> Distract don’t react<br> Identify what you really need or want and find an alternative<br> Stop—Look—Listen—Feel<br> Cravings are often </p>
