Some people claim the only way to achieve sobriety is to hit rock bottom. But what is rock bottom? It is, like pain, subjective. It is unpleasant and dehumanizing and, often, life-threatening. Rock bottom can be social, financial, mental or physical, or all of these at the same time. If you are lucky, it can also save your life. Rock bottom is that point in which the only choices are to begin climbing out of the hole in which you find yourself, or die.
The First Day of The Rest of Your Life
Often, the sensation of hitting rock bottom is triggered by a single event or a short series of events, but it is more than just that. It is a realization. It is a moment of clarity brought on by a long string of choices in a downward spiral. When you find yourself there, things become very simple. Things have to change. You realize, maybe for the first time, hopefully for the last time, how far off course you have gone. You see the pain you have caused and you feel the pain you have been hiding from. There is no escaping it. Rock bottom is a motivator. It is a starting point.
At rock bottom, you question everything. All of the choices you’ve made. You question why you’ve done this or that. Things that you’ve believed for years or months or forever no longer make sense. Everything comes to a head and you see the truth.
Climbing out of rock bottom is not easy but it is necessary. Sometimes, it starts involuntarily. Some people might find themselves in jail or in a hospital or some other confining circumstance that starts them on the upward journey. Others might just come to and make the choice not to carry on like this any longer.
Write Yourself A Happier Ending
The first step out of rock bottom is taking responsibility. You have to see what is actually happening and decide that this is no longer sustainable. This takes courage and strength. You have to rebuild yourself, starting with pouring a new foundation for a stronger, more maintainable life. You have let go of all the lies and rationalizations and look clearly at yourself. Once you can see clearly, there are things to be done. Find a 12-Step meeting, call a treatment or detox center, reach out to a friend or loved one and tell them you’re ready to explore a change. Rock bottom is miserable, shameful, and painful but it can also be the thing that saves your life, gives you the strength to really start living.
If you find yourself sitting at rock bottom, know that there is a way out. Recovery is possible. It is truly living again- honestly and bravely. At Fort Worth Recovery, we understand the intricacies of addiction and mental health, are trained in a variety of modalities and have worked with many people over the years to fight their addictions and save their own lives. Call us today at 817 382 2894 or visit us online.
