Dallas Bragg argues that recovery triggers aren't threats to avoid but gifts that teach you. He introduces the "powerful pause": take three deep breaths when a craving hits, then respond with gratitude for the chance to learn. This space between trigger and reaction is where real growth happens.
You know what? Triggers are our most powerful gifts in recovery. They just don't arrive in pleasant packaging, right? A trigger is an external stimulus that causes an internal craving, right? Each of us have our own types of triggers, and many times they are unexpected. Most recovery approaches focus solely on totally avoiding the triggers. You stay away from certain people, certain places. But I have found extraordinary growth in practicing How to create space between the trigger and the internal response. That way, you aren't relying on default mode when the trigger happens, which the default mode will be whatever your subconscious comes up with, right? So when triggered, take 3 deep breaths. Take what I call the powerful pause. Create space between the stimulus and your response. Even if your response is just a thought, make space between the two so you can choose the response intentionally. Your first response to a trigger could always be, thank you. Thank you for the opportunity to learn. Thank you for the opportunity to overcome, to grow stronger in my recovery. Triggers are built-in teachers and, again, your greatest gift.
