A trigger is defined as something that causes someone to feel upset or frightened because it reminds the person of something bad.  Triggers can come in all kinds of forms. They may be a scent, a color, a person, place or thing. Maybe you were in a car accident and now merging onto highways brings you back to that accident. Maybe it's seeing an alcohol bottle, because you know your husband has been drinking.

While one person may experience an internal response, such as stress or anxiety, another person may exhibit an external response such as crying or sweaty palms. Likewise, the intensity of the response may vary from minimal to severe. The intensity of the trigger oftentimes relates to how traumatic the person perceives the event to have been, but can also coincide with the individual's ability to cope with the trigger. This is why coping skills are so important. They can make even the most intense triggers tolerable.

There's a word to describe the opposite of a trigger? When an experience brings up a strong, pleasant emotional response it's called a 

Like a trigger, a glimmer can be a scent, a song, a color, nature, etc. It is anything that gives you that warm fuzzy feeling. Sometimes it's the little things throughout the day that may go unnoticed, if we're not being mindful. 

Homework: Go looking for glimmers! You don't want to miss them and they may be just what you need to brighten your day! 

Let the good outweigh the bad. Search for little miracles throughout the day. Write them down. This is called a gratitude list! Want to share some positivity? Comment a glimmer you observed today!

Recommended Resource:
Gratitude Journal

Life is unpredictable
But I have peace of mind
Not peace that the world offers
No this peace is much better - it's the God kind. 

An introduction to recovery usually involves the phrase "people, places, things." Essentially, who we hang out with matters. Where we go matters. The activities we engage in matter.

The short answer: yes. Of course you can. You get to choose what you consume, right? A better question to ask yourself is "should I drink?"