Relapse Prevention Is The Key

Success Stories & Milestones
1
Read this for a thought I have about staying sober . . ."relapse prevention"
One Day At A Time, preventing myself from taking the next drink required the strongest efforts inavoiding a relapse than nearly anything else I have ever done. And yet it has been worth every second of the last 23 or so plus years.
I had to become very aware of
1.) "triggers", my "NOT" placing myself in specific places and situations where I use to drink before, by taking a different route home from work thus not passing my favorite bars. Avoiding some parties where drinking was a major aspect of the facilities or planned evets. Or once in awhile even leaving an event ("triggers" can catch you unprepared) that turned into the kind of party I should avoid.
2.) "stressors", avoiding the build up of too much work, by being much better organized. Same for at home projects and work, by less procrastinating thus not having too much to do at once, (thus stress build-up) and being sure to put some special relaxiing time to-the-side for yourself and family.
3.) "personal behaviors", like I had to avoid getting into needless arguments or dissagreements, with my family (and/or again at work) by consciously making the effort to avoid negative confrontations . . . planning ahead, being prepared and showing the same level of caring you expect of others, in return.
One Day At A Time, (One Hour At A Time - when & wherever necessary)

These steps are a big part of how I have stayed free of alcohol use, abuse or missuse over the past 25+ years. I want to give a positive idea(s) to anyone
who needs/wants it even if it is to only one or two people looking for guidance.
If this becomes valuable I have plenty of additional ideas I can share including a
simple stress management set of tools that can help us all cope better with life.
The A.M.A. says stress is the leading cause of illness and doctors office
visits and it goes without saying that addiction flurishes in a negative stressful
environment. My brief background is posted in "Main Catagories - Pain Pills".
To All with love, Grampa Allen