There are some in recovery who may argue
against the idea of a rock bottom, saying that they never had to hit an
all-time low and that they just simply decided to quit. This may, in fact, be
true. For some people, they are indeed able to stop drinking or using without
the experience of overwhelming personal, financial and/or legal consequences.
However, these individuals may have simply been struggling with substance
abuse—not the disease of addiction.
For the vast majority of addicts,
stepping into recovery requires varying degrees of low points in order to
decide that enough is enough. The bottom concept originated from the AA
founders and is essentially the idea that there is a time when a person
realizes that the pain of using is more than the pain of not using. For each
person, this comes in different shapes and forms.
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For those who may not be familiar with
the idea, here are 3 reasons why individuals may need a rock bottom in order to
begin a true path in recovery.
1. They will decide for themselves that
they need help.
With regard to addiction as defined by
the disease model which implies it is chronic, progressive and potentially
fatal if not treated, a rock bottom is typically required for an individual to
decide for themselves they need help. It's typically the only way treatment
and recovery will stick.
In fact, regarding any disease, symptoms
may be ignored for some time until they become so life-altering that they are
no longer manageable. It is at that point individuals typically seek medical
diagnosis and treatment. Addiction is no exception.
2. They are forced to sit with the pain.
When left to sit at rock bottom without
hope of being pulled up or rescued by enablers, active addicts are forced to
sit with their pain—that which they've tried to escape via active addition and
that which results from the consequences of it. That builds emotional strength
and resiliency.
3. They learn that there are
consequences.
Rock bottom is not
simply a low period. It is a point where all feels lost, as a result of active
addiction. Friends, family, finances and possibly even freedom due to
incarceration are gone. At this point, if no one steps in to rescue, the active
addict will have to sit with the dire consequences of their disease and the
realization of their own accountability. This is part of being a responsible adult.
And, though it is typically difficult
for friends and family to witness a loved one seemingly helplessly stuck at
rock bottom, it is the only way the individual will realize that to be able to
restore all the elements lost to them—family, friends, finances, freedom,
etc.—they must get help for their addiction and enter into recovery.
Of course, there is no magic formula for
how active addicts arrive at a realization and break free from denial. But,
generally speaking, addiction specialists are aware that enabling certainly
prevents either and, therefore, rock bottom is necessary. Requiring an active
addict to climb up of their own free will, rather than jumping in to save them
from themselves, allows them an opportunity to sit with their pain and consequences,
realize they have a problem and decide they do, in fact, need help.
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