Avoiding triggers that make you want to drink is a crucial step in maintaining sobriety and preventing relapse. Here are some strategies that might help: 1. Identify Your Triggers: The first step in avoiding triggers is to identify them. Common triggers include stress, certain social situations, specific people, places, or even certain times of the day. Once you're aware of your triggers, you can start to develop strategies to avoid or manage them.

1. **Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms:** Replace drinking with healthier activities that help you cope with stress or negative emotions. This could include exercise, meditation, hobbies, or engaging in therapy. Techniques like mindfulness can also help you stay centered and less reactive to potential triggers.
2. **Change Your Environment:** Avoid places or situations where you're tempted to drink. This might mean taking a different route home to avoid passing by a favorite bar or declining invitations to events where alcohol will be a central focus.
3. Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with supportive people who understand your journey and are committed to helping you stay sober. This could include family, friends, or members of support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous.
4. **Plan Ahead:** If you know you're going to be in a situation where alcohol is present or other triggers are unavoidable, plan how you will handle these triggers in advance. Decide what you will drink instead of alcohol or plan an excuse to leave early if you start to feel uncomfortable.
5. Communicate Openly: Don't hesitate to let people know that you are avoiding alcohol. Most will understand and support your choice.
6. Practice Self-Care: Taking care of your physical and mental health can make you less susceptible to triggers. Ensure you are getting enough sleep, eating well, and addressing any mental health issues.
7. Stay Committed to Recovery: Regularly remind yourself of the reasons you chose sobriety and the benefits it has brought into your life. This can help strengthen your resolve to avoid triggers and maintain your commitment when faced with challenges.
8. Seek Professional Help: If finding it difficult to manage triggers, consider seeking help from a professional counselor or therapist specialized in addiction. They can provide you with tools and strategies to handle triggers effectively.
9. Use Delay Tactics: If you feel a strong urge to drink, delay acting on it. Tell yourself to wait for 10 minutes. Often, this can be enough time for the urge to pass or lessen in intensity. Each person's triggers and effective strategies for avoiding them can differ, so it might take some time and experimentation to find out what works best for you. Remember, it's okay to ask for help and it's a sign of strength, not weakness.