When Will An Addict Hit Bottom?
Climb out
What is Rock Bottom or Bottoming Out For an Addict?
The term rock bottom is not new. Professionals describe this as the final straw that will finally cause an addict to seek treatment. I'm writing this article based on the personal experience I've had with active addicts. The substance or addiction is irrelevant. It could be booze, drugs, sex, gambling, food, etc...
Addiction is a multifaceted illness, there are layers upon layers of issues that have brought your loved one to this state of despair. Addiction is a three-part issue, it affects the mind, body, and spirit, not always in that order.
Taken from: https://www.clearviewtreatment.com/hitting-rock-bottom-addiction-treatment.html
“Hitting rock bottom” is a phrase that almost everyone has heard when talking about the topic of addiction. ... Generally, rock bottom refers to a time or an event in life that causes an addict to reach the lowest possible point in their disease. It is a time when a person feels like things cannot get worse for them. Usually, they will be open to treatment at this point or spiral further out of control in their addiction.
How Can I Be Sure my Loved One Will Get Well?
You can never predict or know for sure if the person you love with addiction will ever recover. Addiction is an illness. The progressive part of illness can be halted, much like a cancer patient's cancer going into remission. In this sense, healing and recovery are possible.
But there is no guarantee they will get well, especially not to anyone's standards. The addict needs to be willing to take control of their life, they need to accept the consequences of their addiction, and hopefully, have a support network to help when they reach this point.
Most addicts do not recover from family help. Yes, the support network is extremely important, but odds are their recovery will not come from you. I'm sorry to say that but you're more likely to be struck by lightning then the source of their recovery.
This is why professionals and mentors that have been through similar experiences are so helpful.
Hitting Bottom is an Illusion
Every addict is different. Addictions are different. What may be a final straw for one person, simply won't be for someone else. Many people have given up everything for their addictions. Jobs, families, marriages, children, freedom, some even their own life.
Also depending on what is left for the addict to lose will play a big role in when they get treatment and stick to it. Some will lose everything. Some will lose something like driving priveledges and that will be enough for them to seek help.
How can I help my addict hit bottom?
If you really want to help your addict get back on the road to a healthy productive life, stop enabling. Don't do what they can do for themselves. Don't loan money for them to feed their addiction. Don't make excuses for them. If they pass out on the lawn, let them sleep there. If your addict is a child or teenager, you still have options. You can report them to juvenile authorities. Remove their access to cars, cell phones, or any outlet to your finances. Be honest with your expectations, and set firm boundaries for what you will permit them to do in your life. The fastest way to the bottom is allowing them to take full responsibility for their decisions.
Be honest with your expectations, and set firm boundaries for what you will permit them to do in your life. The fastest way to the bottom is allowing them to take full responsibility for their decisions. This can be very scary to do, so it is important that you find a support system for yourself. Al-Anon is nationwide and will help those that love an addict navigate these diseases.
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This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2020 Rebecca