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Trigger Happy


9 years ago 0 1009 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Excellent post TS and a great observation as to how triggers develop. The problem is compounded if we employ various dysfunctional thinking patterns. Then the problem evolves to a higher order and we let the negative thinking patterns become a catalyst to drive the drinking by inventing triggers. 

As to the insanity of relapsing years down the road into a slobbering mess, that can happen but it seem most prevalent with people that embark on a long-tem path with AA. I think it has to do with the constant messaging they rewire their heads with "I am this....." and "This will happen....". If we drill those ideas into our heads long enough with enough conviction we build those belief pathways and they become subconscious reactions to consumption. When we drink we circumvent and shut down our logical thinking part of our brain and guess what's going to surface? The belief system and emotional responses. As to "normal people" drinking, well, deliberately consuming mind-altering substances isn't a natural occurrence, otherwise animals would do it too. Just like smoking pot and getting stoned isn't a normal thing to do either. Altering or evading reality isn't what I would describe as normal anymore, it just took untold benders to come to that realization. I know if I continue the way I'm going for the next ten years and then decided one day to have a beer I know my life isn't going to self-destruct because I don't think that way. If I spend the next 10 years passionately pounding that idea that I will self-destruct into my head with a group of people to validate that idea, guess what, it will likely happen. Thank God we get to choose our thoughts. Your mind is a precious gift and need to be respected and cultivated.

Al the best,

Dave
9 years ago 0 1562 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Pretty nicely captured dilema. Unfortunately many have reached the point where self-will alone will not work. Some have to go through drastic transformation quick, otherwise they keep succumbing to the lure of the sensation they feel after they take one or two drinks. We see that happen all the time. And once they fall, its every difficult to snap out of it. Its a vicious cycle. The insanity could strike weeks, months and even years later that they could drink like normal people. Constanst vigilance is required. Its not like we graduate and its a one time deal.
9 years ago 0 345 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Interesting the associations we make with alcohol and the reasons we come up with to indulge. A significant one is as ND pointed out, The Weekend. I drank one day of the weekend for years and never entertained the thought of having a problem. 
 
But what happens when the weekend is gone, it’s a Tuesday and someone comes to visit? First thing I always do is offer an alcoholic drink if it’s past noon. Now, I have an excuse to drink again. How about when something bad happens...have a drink to relax, the kids or significant other is being a pain…drink, happy, let’s celebrate with a drink. Hmmm, the weekend, company, family, sad, happy, oh, the weather is beautiful, time to sit outside and have a drink. Now the weather is cold and snowy, nothing like sitting by a warm fire or with your favorite TV show and enjoying a drink. Finished work, have a drink, holidays…drink.  The day has started…need a drink to take the edge off.

Easy to understand how a person can go from having one trigger to many. Essentially there is nothing that is not a trigger anymore. AV has taken over and your world revolves around the next excuse to have a drink.  Not surprising when first quitting how you can get yourself wound up when considering all the trigger hurdles you must clear. It takes time to readjust (rewire) how you think and relate to alcohol. Alcohol deserves to be respected for the drug that it is and be treated as potentially dangerous.

Dangerous as in anemia, cancer, cardiovascular disease, cirrhosis, dementia, depression, seizures, gout, high blood pressure, infectious disease, nerve damage and pancreatitis.

Yes, it is difficult to give up all that glamour…glamour that is not regaled to just the weekend.

So, are you ready?

TS


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