A trigger warning is just so that if someone is sharing something then it lets some one else know that this may be much for that person so don't read it. I know for me, if I read a topic that says Trigger Warning I take a good look at myself emotionally before I start reading. Sometimes I'm triggered but most of the time I just wanna help. =)

triggers...I never had heard of triggers in recovery for a long time...I guess basically I have more issues not with a trigger for drink but a trigger for rage....
I do however know that the smell of burning opium is a trigger for me....it is so sweet smelling and I loved to get high on opium...sometimes I wonder if I would give my right nutt to get high on opium still today....but that nutt is not gone but last time I smelled opium in a outdoor concert setting I was looking everywhere to find who was smoking it....god I loved opium....so am I powerless over the trigger? I guess not...I do not go places where it is used now....so it takes me away from the trigger....if you hang out in a barber shop you will one day get a haircut...so do not hang out at barber shop if you want long hair! LOL

Since you don't like the word trigger may be putting the concept into different terms may be beneficial.

A whole host of factors can effect my state of mind negatively and can cause me to act or want to act in ways that are not in my best interests. Learning from situations and my responses to them helps me to balance and continually improve myself.

For instance, when I am under too much stress I can or want to act out inappropriately in many different ways. Understanding the situation that is causing me stress and embracing the urge to act out before doing so and letting it wash over me helps. It's called urge surfing.

I feel that the problem, with the use of the word triggers, is that it is used for superficially. It does not address the reason the person wants to drink. For example they call drinking near beer a trigger. The drinking of near beer could be a sign that something deeper is happening in the psyche. Sometimes it is just that the person likes the taste. However if someone goes to drinking near beer after a length of sobriety, it indicates that something deeper is happening that the individual wants to escape by using alcohol. The term trigger used in AA groups does not go deep into the problem. The individual thinks by merely eliminating the near beer from his diet, he will solve his problem. Whatever is behind the desire for the near beer is not addressed. If not examined and corrected the problem could lead to drinking whether near beer is used or not.
Often the problem is a comorbid condition that needs to be treated outside of AA. The 12 steps do not solve depression, bipolar,schizophrenia, etc.
I just used the near beer as an example. There are numerous so called triggers used in AA.

I have been to very many AA meetings but have rarely heard anyone talking about triggers and I dont recall anyone ever advocating the drinking of low alcohol beer. In fact, one of the things that kept me going back to AA in the early days is a fascination with a Twelve Step programme that goes right to the heart of the drinking problem. Some people who go to AA meetings after coming through treatment centres tend to use words such as triggers but that does not mean that it is part of the AA approach to recovery.

Neither does AA claim to have the answer to problems such as depression, bipolar, schizophrenia etc. Quite the opposite in fact as AA advocates that people should make use of the relevant professionals in these fields.

It often amazes me that people who do not use AA have such a fascination with the fellowship and are willing to go to any lengths to try and discredit it. I would have thought that if AA works for you, use it and be thankful and if AA is not for you leave it and use something else would be a good motto.

for what it's worth - I completely agree with you FuzzyWuzzy2. I've never seen or heard it used in regard to alcohol/alcoholism though.

I think it's often used as an excuse to justify returning to undesirable behavior or as to say "I'm not in control of or responsible for how I react to external situations therefor others must modify their behavior as to avoid triggering me". Keep in mind - I'm speaking only from my own personal experience with people who Ive heard use the term.

Knowing what can set one off to drink is a good thing so we can take corrective action for the drinking behavior.

For example, In the beginning until I felt more comfortable around people drinking I had to avoid most situations where alcohol was present so I could stay on track and avoid temptation. I looked forward to a day when I could be around people who were drinking and have the ability to stay sober.

Stated another way: Being around drinking in the beginning was a trigger for me, and I had to realize that and alter my behavior by not being around it much because it might have knocked me off track and be too much temptation.

Words, semantics, give me a break...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj4R2PwC03w.

Well, Fuzzy, I know there are many "triggers" in my life. Unfortunately, life is a "trigger" to me. However, I realize that I cannot live in this world without those triggers that make me want to drink. That is how I have always handled life - having a good time and feeling good, so drink; someone says something I disagree with, so drink; hear bad news, so drink; and on and on.

I realize that having a complete psychic change about the way I view life is the only way that those "triggers" don't bother me anymore.

Maybe you could call "triggers" something else. Sounds like it is the word you have the problem with.

:))Any situation that causes your mind to instantly reflect on a previous situation is how your body and mind interact or react to life its a natural occurrence...the secret though is to be aware of it and not fight it and let it dissipate like Zach and deogee said...then your not unknowingly attached to a outcome because you've acknowledged it in the present. Much easier on the brain when you can learn to take that position I've found:))

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5Xl0Qry-hA

:))
http://zenhabits.net/zen-attachment/

If you are exposed to a trigger on a regular basis, you will drink. It's just...a matter...of time!