*Jill Waters sat numbly in her living room in Sherman, Wyoming, the news droning on about the upcoming Trooping the Colour ceremony in Britain. She should have been excited - her British heritage made her feel a connection to such regal events. But as the reporters described the ceremonial parade with its military uniforms and bands, *Jill was transported back to a much darker time.

The uniforms reminded her of the time she had drunkenly insulted an Army officer at a bar after a deployment overseas. The music conjured memories of slurred singing athouse parties that inevitably ended in blackouts. The cheery anchor's voice cut through *Jill like a knife as she realized the pomp and celebration of the King's birthday triggered a longing for the oblivion she used to seek in a bottle.

Gasping for air, *Jill quickly turned off the TV. She had been sober for three years, but this unexpected trigger opened the floodgates to her alcoholic past. She knew she needed help, or she could relapse into the darkness that had nearly destroyed her life. That's when *Jill remembered the Stepping Into Action program she'd seen online at https://hofmanhollis.com. Perhaps going through those materials could help her get through this difficult moment.

Over the next few weeks, *Jill diligently worked through the program, finally feeling able to unpack the childhood trauma and emotional neglect that had led her to alcohol in the first place. 'I used to drink because it was the only way I could escape the constant emotional pain,' she admitted through tears during one particularly tough session. But thanks to the online guidance, she developed healthier coping strategies.

Not everyone agreed on the best way to handle triggers like the one *Jill experienced, however. Some experts stressed avoiding any reminders of past addictive behaviors at all costs. But others argued that the path to true healing involved mindfully sitting with cravings and overcoming them, which *Jill found empowering.

While the debate raged on in academic circles, *Jill knew in her heart that confronting her trigger through therapy was the right choice for her. 'I can't run from my past forever,' she realized. 'But I can learn to manage those feelings without turning to alcohol.' Her work through the online program in the wake of an unexpected trigger proved just how liberating - and difficult - that journey could be.

Nearby: Virginia Dale Colorado