The term “rock bottom” is often used in reference to someone who has reached a low point in their life, usually as a result of substance abuse. The phrase also describes a situation where things have gotten so bad that there’s nowhere left to go but up. But what exactly is rock bottom? Is it real? And if so, how do people know when they’ve hit it?
Rock Bottom Isn’t Always Clear, but It Can Be a Catalyst for Change
Rock bottom is a term used to describe the lowest point of someone’s addiction. However, rock bottom can be a myth. So, why does it matter if rock bottom doesn’t exist?
If rock bottom is a myth, you don’t have to wait for something terrible to happen to realize you need help with your drug or alcohol abuse. You can decide that now is the time to receive treatment and make changes. The sooner you do this, the better off you’ll be.
While recovery is never a straight road, your mind and body will benefit from seeking treatment as soon as possible. The longer you continue to abuse substances, the more your mind and body will suffer.
Rock Bottom Can Be Hard to Define
The definition of rock bottom is highly subjective. For one person, it might be a DUI arrest that results in losing their job. On the other hand, another person may define their rock bottom as the loss of a meaningful relationship. Rock bottom is not just one specific event. Instead, it is a culmination of many things that have happened over time and have left you feeling hopeless.
For example, you may have had trouble paying your bills on time. As a result, your credit score may have dropped. This makes it harder for you to get approved for loans or mortgages. You then default on some debts and are forced into bankruptcy proceedings.
Events like this can make people feel hopeless about ever getting back on even ground again because there are seemingly endless roadblocks between them and achieving financial stability again. All sorts of red tape prevent them from moving forward with their lives as they used to.
Rock Bottom Could Just Be Admitting You Have a Problem
You may have heard the phrase “rock bottom” before. It is a common term used by many people in the world. While many people think of rock bottom as an event, it can also be that moment when someone finally admits they have an alcohol or drug problem and reaches out for help.
For many people, this is their first step toward recovery. When somebody finally admits they have an alcohol or drug problem and reach out for help, that is the beginning of the end.
Although it’s impossible to know exactly what goes through a person’s mind during this time, reaching rock bottom can mean something positive. The person has decided they want to change. In some cases, you might even say rock bottom has saved lives by preventing further substance abuse.
A Diagnosis and Treatment Are Critical for Change
Rock bottom can be a difficult concept to define because it is different for each person. For some, rock bottom means losing everything in their life that matters most and realizing they have hit a point of no return.
For others, rock bottom may occur when they simply realize that if they don’t change their behavior, they will soon lose everything in their life that matters most. Rock bottom usually occurs at the point where a person decides that things need to change.
However, individuals who hit rock bottom may not know how and where to find this change. A diagnosis and treatment are critical in helping a person leave rock bottom behind. A treatment facility dedicated to substance abuse recovery can help individuals find the path to healing. Treatment facilities can also work to address any co-occurring disorders to reduce the risk of relapse.
There Is No Such Thing as a ”True Clinical Rock Bottom”
There is no such thing as a true “rock bottom.” It’s a term that has been used in recovery circles for decades. However, it’s not a clinical term. The moment when you hit rock bottom is different for everyone.
Don’t let the fact that there’s no such thing as clinical rock bottom fool you. Hitting rock bottom can be an essential part of recovery if you use it as motivation to change things. Some people in recovery say they wouldn’t have made any changes without first hitting what they consider their own personal rock bottoms.
However, make sure your definition of rock bottom isn’t preventing you from getting help. You don’t need to lose everything to make the decision to reach out for help and find recovery.
Rock bottom is just a metaphor. It’s a term that people use to describe their lowest point, but it doesn’t exist in any official medical sense. Some people may reach rock bottom before they enter treatment. However, this doesn’t need to be the case.
You are deserving of treatment and recovery, even if you haven’t reached “rock bottom.” If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, Villa Oasis San Diego is here to help. We can meet with you and create a personalized treatment plan of evidence-based and holistic therapies that will best fit your needs.
Call Villa Oasis San Diego today at (619) 373-9792 to learn more about our program.
