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Substance abuse in the United States is a rapidly growing phenomenon that affects each of us directly or indirectly. Habits are difficult to give up, and many people are unwilling to even acknowledge they have a substance abuse issue until they hit rock bottom.
Seeking help early increases the chances of recovering from substance abuse before it damages personal and professional relationships. While it’s never too late to seek addiction treatment, in an ideal world people wouldn’t wait to reach rock bottom before attempting to quit. The longer someone is in the grip of drugs or alcohol, the more difficult it becomes to break free and the more damage the substance can do. The time for change is now.
What is Rock Bottom?
“Hitting rock bottom” is a phrase so popular that people use it frivolously in casual conversations. While it’s part of the vernacular, we must exercise caution when using the phrase in discussing addiction. The general definition of rock bottom usually refers to an event or time in a user’s life that causes them to reach their lowest point possible and start reevaluating their lifestyle. Examples of this could be getting a DUI or DWI charge, losing a fellow addict to suicide or overdose, and perhaps even receiving jail time for drug possession.
No matter what happens, rock bottom is the breaking point in an addict’s life. They often feel their life can’t possibly be worse and there’s nothing left to lose or ruin.
The thing about rock bottom is that it’s only valuable in retrospect. Someone in active addiction could hit what they think is rock bottom, but another low may be just around the corner. For example, stealing money may be a new rock bottom for someone who recently started taking illicit drugs, but intravenous drugs could be the next new low.
More often than not, rock bottom is when a person reaches a new moral low that was once unthinkable. Many family members use the excuse that their addict family member needs to hit this mythical rock bottom before they get treatment, but that day may never come.
If you have a loved one in the grip of drug or alcohol addiction, early intervention is the best option. It can take months or even years to persuade someone to get help with their addiction, but if your loved one knows you’re there for them and a safe person to turn to, they’re more likely to get help. Our counselors can offer you advice and assistance on how to stage an intervention and support someone who’s entering recovery.
Signs You’ve Hit Rock Bottom
Rock bottom means different things to different people. However, there are some common themes to be aware of. If any of these apply to your situation, they could be a sign you’ve reached a low point and it’s time to talk to an addiction counselor:
- You’ve had trouble with the law.
- You’ve experienced a serious health crisis (e.g., an overdose, injury or hospitalization).
- Substance abuse has cost you your job.
- You’ve lost custody of your children.
- Your spouse or partner has left you due to your substance abuse.
- You’re doing things you never thought you’d do (e.g., stealing or lying to your partner).
- You feel like you have no control over your life.
- You feel nothing helps you feel good about yourself.
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, don’t wait to get help. The sooner you seek support, the more likely you are to beat addiction and get your life back in check.
Drug Abuse Affects People From All Walks of Life
Drug addiction in the United States is a growing epidemic, with opioid addiction in particular being a national public health emergency. Opioid-related deaths rose by 67% between 2017 and 2023, despite numerous national initiatives to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription medication, heroin, and fentanyl.
Addiction treatment should be part of our priorities as a nation. Drug and alcohol addiction affects people from all walks of life. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 50% of people aged 12 and older have used illicit drugs at least once. With drug use being so common, we can no longer afford for addiction treatment to be a taboo subject.
The sooner we, as a society, can shake off the stigma surrounding mental health challenges and addiction, the better off we’ll be. Stigmatizing rehab makes it more difficult for people to ask for help and causes those who do realize they need help to hold off because of fear of reprisal if they take time off work to get treatment. These delays can increase the risk of harm through overdose or risk-seeking behaviors.
If we can stop people who are struggling with addiction from feeling isolated or unworthy, we can make it easier for them to get help before they hit rock bottom. Better access to rehab means fewer people falling victim to severe drug-related side effects, fewer overdoses, and more happy, healthy people enjoying successful relationships and careers.
It’s never too late to begin addiction treatment. If you or someone you know is struggling with drug abuse, now’s the time to seek professional help. Don’t wait for rock bottom or what you think is rock bottom. Don’t wait for legal or financial consequences of drug use to appear before getting clean. Your health is at risk, your family and friends are hurting and so much happiness awaits you on the other side of sobriety.
Try not to buy into the misconception that rehabilitation is too expensive. Drugs and alcohol are expensive, and people who turn to illicit sources to get their drug of choice can spend lots of money trying to maintain a reliable supply. Those funds could be better spent on a detox program, medication to counter the effects of withdrawal, or a gym membership to increase activity and avoid dwelling on drug cravings. Money can always be better spent on other things for the benefit of your well-being and future.
Recovery is a manageable but long process. It takes time. You can’t just quit a drug overnight; effort needs to be invested in addiction treatment. Some substances, including opioids, alcohol, and benzodiazepines, should never be stopped suddenly. The “cold turkey” approach is potentially life-threatening and can induce seizures, lead to dehydration, and even cause thoughts of suicide. Rapid relapse is also common among people who don’t go through a medically assisted detox.
As soon as you stop using a drug, your tolerance for it lowers, meaning less of the drug is needed to achieve that strong high. Therefore, the chances of overdose are increased because when addicts relapse, they tend to ingest the same dosage they were used to before their tolerance dropped. This is something a medical professional explains as part of the rehab process.
Detox is usually the first step toward addiction treatment, and it doesn’t require you to reach rock bottom. Rather, it helps you begin the recovery process and start managing it so you can get sober in the long run in a healthy manner. Medical detox programs, such as the ones at FHE Health, set you up with round-the-clock supervision and medical assistance. Detox helps you get through the withdrawal process in whichever way works. Understand that your addiction isn’t permanent and doesn’t define you. You need to have hope that treatment will work for you.
It’s never the wrong time to start rehabilitation, but it’s better to start today than to wait for your addiction to devastate your life forever. The myth of rock bottom harms many people who think they’ll receive a sign one day that lets them know it’s time for rehab. If you’re looking for a sign, consider this article to be yours. FHE Health is here to help you with recovery and lead you to a new, healthier, and happier life.
Get Addiction Help Now
If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, FHE Health is ready and willing to help. There are numerous addiction treatments available to help prevent tragic losses of life. Don’t wait to hit rock bottom; speak with a member of our team of highly trained and compassionate individuals now for immediate assistance.
