Trigger Warning

↑ Triggered ↑

I'm going to be short and sweet today, and I sincerely apologize for the title. I don't think I'm actually going to trigger any of you here, this is more about what I do and a few things you can try when you get triggered.

SO HERE IT IS...

The facts are, we all get triggered or overwhelmed/overstimulated eventually. It's just something that happens while we do our best to live life on life's terms. I got triggered recently, and it threw me into an overstimulated spiral. Then, just a few days later, someone unrelated to the overwhelming events asked me, "What do you do when you get triggered?". Well, shucks, I'm so glad you asked...

In recovery therapies and programs we learn about "toolboxes" for coping skills. Things we can do to keep us from getting overwhelmed and relapsing when those triggers jump out in front of us like a deer one week before Christmas. So this is me, opening up my toolbox, dumping it out on the table in hopes maybe you'll see something and think... maybe I'll try that next time I get triggered 🤔

•

1.) Listen to music. Whatever genre it is that melts away your stress and makes you feel better, without returning to use again. This is especially dear to me as it was the first coping skill I put in my toolbox and the starting point of my realizing that doing these things actually works.

2.) Rage walk it off. Some people call it power walking, rage walking sounds cooler to me though. There really is power behind physically burning off that stress that's enticing you to use again. I just recommend grabbing your jacket if it's 23° outside...I didn't remember that step till I was halfway 'round the block.

3.) Scream in your truck. Okay, you may not have a truck. But, being in a vehicle muffles your scream just enough to keep people from calling the cops, and is another physical way to burn off that stress.

4.) Reach out to your support system. At this point, we're talkin' use or don't use, and for some of us that can be the difference between life and death. So, call, text, email, knock on their door, anyone you know who's recovery supportive in your life. Don't be a pussy, reach out for help.

5.) Last but not least, pray to your Higher Power. This is ain't any ole church prayer. Pray and tell your Higher Power simple thank you's for the good things in your life, ESPECIALLY any you can think of connected to whatever is stressing you out. This works for me. Please don't knock the "religious" one just for that fact.

•

These are the 5 most used "tools" in my "toolbox". They are tried and true, but not necessarily in this order. I kind of just grab whichever tool is going to be best for the job.

I'm going to leave ya on this note: Reaching out for help IS NOT WEAK. It takes immense strength and courage to identify when we need help and even more of both to act on it. You and I are human, we're not made to do this alone. So, flip the script and be a macho man with me by having the balls to drop your pride and ask for a helping hand when life's terms get hard to live by.

Until next time.