What’s Wrong with the ‘Rock Bottom’ Approach

rock bottom

‘Rock bottom’ is an expression popularized by Alcoholics Anonymous, and it refers to a person who has reached their lowest point. They have nothing else to lose, which is painful, but also this pain motivates them to change. Many individuals in recovery did not seek help until they reached rock bottom. 

However, it’s important to know that waiting to hit your lowest point is not the only route to recovery. The best drug and alcohol rehab centers have programs for all levels of addiction. They can help those with a slight addiction just as much as they can help those who have lost everything. In fact, seeking help sooner rather than later can lead to faster and better outcomes. 

Let’s dive deeper into the issue of rock bottom and why we want people to know that this is not the only route to treatment.

What is Rock Bottom? 

Rock bottom happens when a person feels emotionally overwhelmed and broken. They are at their lowest point, with nothing to lose. Rock bottom can look different for everyone. For some people, it means losing their job and self-respect. For others, it’s damaged relationships or problems with the law. 

Here are some signs of a potential emotional breakdown

  • Experiencing serious health problems, such as an overdose, injury or hospitalization 
  • Getting into trouble with the law 
  • Losing your job due to substance use 
  • Losing custody of your children 
  • Going through a divorce or breakup due to substance use 
  • Feeling hopeless and helpless 
  • Losing relationships with friends and family 
  • Feeling suicidal 

The Problem with Waiting to Hit Rock Bottom 

While some people need to hit their lowest point before they agree to drug rehab in Arizona, this is not the only way. There is no need to wait until your life is ruined before you can start rebuilding it. As we learn more about addiction, we know that there are many stages to the disease, and treatment is valuable at any time. 

There are two main problems with waiting for rock bottom. First, you could end up losing everything and spending months or even years picking up the pieces. If you accept help sooner, you might still have your job and your independence. And, you might not even need inpatient drug rehab. An outpatient rehab in AZ might be enough to get you back on track. 

Second, rock bottom looks different for everyone. One person might feel that they’ve lost everything if their partner leaves them. Another might wait until they’ve overdosed. In other words, rock bottom is subjective. Your lowest point might not be someone else’s. Therefore, there is no path you need to follow before you can accept help. Once you find that substance use is affecting your life, it’s time to reach out for support. 

Wolf Creek Recovery is an outpatient Arizona rehab with extended treatment, which is an excellent option for those who need additional support as they transition to everyday life. With various tracks of care, we’re able to help people in all stages of their journey. Do not wait to get help! Contact us today to find out how we can support your sobriety.