Understanding Triggers

[Jonny5]

Triggers to smoke occur because that is the way our brains are designed to function....

 

basically a trigger is an Autocue to carry out a certain action, with repeated actions we do these things automatically,

 

an example is driving in a car that has the steering wheel on the other side, for a while we go to change gear with the wrong hand, or open a door that isn't there lol.

 

When we lived our lives as smokers we taught ourselves to automatically smoke after certain events, and in certain situations.

 

When we quit smoking the triggers to smoke remain.....

 

....until they are overwritten with a new automated action.

 

an example would be that after a few mornings without my coffee break smoke, the auto trigger begins to subside in intensity until it's completely gone.

 

It is important to understand how this works, even me at over two years quit!

 

I am going to Europe in the summer, the last time I done that I was a smoker, so I am prepared for a few triggers.  the positive thing is that I know that it is not a part of me wanting to return to smoking, it is just an Autocue requiring resetting.

[Jonny5]

Bump for the newbies :-)

[soul]

I agree that some triggers are caused by our environment, routines, reactions to actions..................we are such good candidats to being a Pavlovian dog............

 

............but there are plenty of other triggers caused by our emotions, by situations............by our state of being (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired......).............

 

I wish that this addiction would be dependent only on habits and routines..............It is much more devious than that...........

[Jonny5]

I agree that some triggers are caused by our environment, routines, reactions to actions..................we are such good candidats to being a Pavlovian dog............

 

............but there are plenty of other triggers caused by our emotions, by situations............by our state of being (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired......).............

 

I wish that this addiction would be dependent only on habits and routines..............It is much more devious than that...........

Great points Soul :-)

[REZ]

Very nice post Jonny!

 

What is probably even worse is when the triggers camouflage themselves too!

 

One type of trigger could have 3 or 4 different associations with it! (Arguments, pissed off, mad, bills)

 

That's why you always have to be on your guard!

[Jonny5]

Very nice post Jonny!

 

What is probably even worse is when the triggers camouflage themselves too!

 

One type of trigger could have 3 or 4 different associations with it! (Arguments, pissed off, mad, bills)

 

That's why you always have to be on your guard!

 

thanks Rez, Yes some triggers can be because of a combination of scenarios.