Triggers vs Glimmers

A trigger is an internal or external stimulus that creates the desire to use again. For example, let's say that you walk into your kitchen and your roommate has on the counter eggs, oil, and a box for chocolate cake mix. Before seeing these ingredients chocolate cake didn't cross your mind, but once you saw them, your reward system was initiated and the craving started. In this example, those ingredients are a trigger. 

Triggers can be people, places and things. It could be from an emotion or it could be going to a ball game. It all depends on the individual person and it is important for each person to know their triggers. According to an article put out by National Geographic it takes the human mind half of a second to be triggered and for the reward system to be initiated. To put that into perspective, that means that if you are driving down the road and there is a billboard for chocolate cake that you just happen to glance at while you drive past, it's enough time for you to be triggered. Which also means, that if an addict was to be driving down the road, and passed an old using friend, or passed an advertisement for alcohol, they could be triggered. 

Now the trick here is that the world isn't going to stop doing what it is doing just because people have triggers. The work is to figure out our own triggers, be aware of them and then neutralize their effects. I would urge you, that if you find yourself triggered, to take the time and reflect over recent events to see if you can identify the trigger. That way we can begin to lessen its effects next time. The other part of this is to practice coping skills learned to help equalize your reaction again. To help to maintain the goal of healing. 

When an addict (including those addicted to alcohol only) is triggered what starts for them is the phenomenon of craving, their reward system sparks up and they want their drug of choice once again. 

Triggers also happen for people with mental health. We hear it most often referring to those with PTSD, but it happens for others as well. A trigger is still an internal or external stimulus that the person is responding to. These triggers can still be people, places, things and emotions. Sometimes even certain smells can be a trigger. When someone with PTSD is triggered it starts the fight-flight-freeze system and they are instantly “back” to where the trauma was. The fact is that we, as humans, are pleasure seeking, pain avoiding creatures. We want to repeat the things that make us feel good, and we want to avoid the things that cause us pain. The way we help PTSD triggers is the same way to approach addiction triggers. 

Now that you know what a trigger is, let's look at glimmers. Glimmers are the opposite of triggers. They are small moments of pleasure that arise with different experiences. They are the things that give us a sense of hope, peace, happiness and so on. Like a rainbow after a storm,  seeing a butterfly and remembering a happy thought from it, or hearing your favorite song come on. It is important to notice glimmers and encourage the feeling that goes along with them. Challenge yourself, see how many you can notice. I bet once you start noticing them, you will see them more and more.

Sincerely,

Sarah