Alcohol Triggers

Alcohol triggers can be

external or i nternal. They

make us think that it is

alright, or even a good idea to

drink again.  Most  alcohol

triggers are classically

conditioned. They are learned. 

External triggers happen when you put yourself in situations that make you want to drink.  

• When you visit certain people do you feel like drinking? When you hang out with your old buddies do you feel like you should be drinking? Especially if they are drinking. 
• When you visit certain places do you feel like you should be drinking?  The bar is a good one.  Poker night.  Bowling league.  
• Does the time it is make you feel like drinking? "It's five O'clock somewhere".  Maybe after you get off work.   
• Do certain songs or movies make you feel like drinking.  Jimmy Buffett songs, etc..   

These are things you can try and avoid.  External triggers, however, can also happen from out of nowhere.  You may see a commercial on Television.  (They are designed to make you want to drink.) Or hear a song on the radio. Internal triggers are inner ideas that drive you to a certain behaviour. 

• Maybe you are feeling down and depressed about things.  
•  Maybe things are going too well and you just want to party. 

These alcoholism triggers can work together.  Maybe things are going good and you run into an old friend.  Next thing you know you're intoxicated.  Triggers are things that we learn to deal with in the maintenance stage of change.

Raging Alcoholic