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### Summary #### Introduction - Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes - Topic: Understanding triggers and cravings - Goals: Define triggers and cravings, identify personal triggers, and discuss coping methods #### Defining Triggers and Cravings - **Triggers**: Anything prompting a rewarding or survival response.  - Examples: Touch (hot stove), sounds (alarm clock), sights (child's smile), smells (fall air), places (dentist's office), people (reminding you of someone), situations (new job). - **Cravings**: Repetitive, consuming thoughts or desires caused by triggers.  - Example: Food commercials triggering hunger at night. #### Components of Triggers 1. **Sensory Awareness**:   - Body perceives a stimulus and sends it to the brain.   - Brain retrieves a schema to interpret and respond to the stimulus.   - Neurochemical release depending on the schema (fight or flight, pleasure). 2. **Cognitive Awareness**:   - Includes flashbacks and intrusive thoughts.   - Brain determines how to handle the situation based on