Alcohol Addiction - The Triggers Are Endless

When you have an addiction to alcohol, the triggers are endless. When you make the effort to quit, it has been said that a trigger situation can have an impact, but it can actually be 3 weeks before you pick up a drink from that one incident. A delayed reaction.

You can get the urge to drink just by talking to someone on the phone with whom you either have a drinking history with or they could just be talking about drinking. You can get an overwhelming urge by watching a movie where the actors are drinking or watching an advertisement for beer.

When you venture beyond your front door, the triggers are endless. Driving past a liquor store can give you visions of drinking. Walking down the liquor or beer aisle at the grocery store can get you longing to pour one. Seeing friends who you have a drinking history with can set you off. Even just visiting an establishment where you have had drinks in the past will bring on the urge for a drink.

And that's when things are going smoothly.

Any incident that upsets you or causes you discomfort can get you going. With enough aggravating situations you slip into the "what's the use" alcoholic mindset and that's it, you are going to have one.

It makes it even more difficult to stop drinking if you are in a volatile relationship with a significant other or your job causes you a fair amount of daily aggravation. If you are in social situations or any situation that causes you significant discomfort, these situations can put you into the "I'm having a drink" zone.

Where do these urges come from? You decided one day that you've had enough; you can't take it anymore, that's it. No more drinking. The problem with that is you've developed a physical addiction so every cell in your body (particularly your brain) is screaming "we don't think so!" So your body literally fights you when you stop. The duration varies by individual.

Any rehab institution or therapist will tell you the physical addiction only lasts 72 hours. Any former alcoholic will tell you the physical addiction lasts much longer. A year minimum anyway, is closer to the truth.

So the urges won't stop for awhile. For some problem drinkers, it helps to know in advance what to expect. Knowing what to expect can sometimes make the ride a little easier.