Many misconceptions surround addiction – for example, that it stems from a weakness and that it’s something shameful. Of these, perhaps the most pervasive is that addicts must hit “rock bottom” before they can get treatment. Popular media’s tendency to depict addicts as desperate, hopeless people has perpetuated this myth. What does the reality look like, and how do you know when it’s time to get help?
What Is Rock Bottom?
Rock bottom, in theory, is the lowest of low points in an addict’s life. Movies and TV shows might have given you the impression that only a defining moment such as losing their job or getting arrested for a DUI can make an addicted person accept the reality that it’s time to enter a treatment program. However, you can and should seek help long before your substance abuse problems strip you of all you hold dear.
Under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you might say or do things that would have been unthinkable to you before an addiction took hold of your life. Perhaps you have found yourself willing to lie and steal to get money for drugs, and you assume this unethical behavior has made you a lost cause. The truth is that there’s always hope. Even if you feel unworthy of recovery, solutions exist to help you turn your life around.
Don’t Wait Until You’ve Lost Everything
Sadly, only a fraction of those who could benefit from enrolling in a treatment facility ever get the help they need. One contributor to this phenomenon is the idea that rehab can only benefit someone who’s lost it all to drug and alcohol abuse. To put this notion into perspective, imagine if a physician suggested holding off on treating diabetes until their patient required an amputation. From that viewpoint, you can see why waiting to get help for an addiction is both risky and irresponsible.
Admitting you need to go to rehab to regain control of your life requires an immense amount of courage. The thought of going through detox, then having to confront all the difficult emotions you suppressed with drinking and drug use, can be frightening for anyone. The realities surrounding the extent of your addiction and denial might be much more complex than you have been willing to admit to yourself.
Everyone battling substance use issues eventually experiences issues that significantly impact their lives or livelihood. At Vista Taos Renewal Center, we have helped hundreds of men and women regain their dignity and fulfill their potential with our holistic rehabilitation programs. Instead of continuing your self-destructive spiral until you’ve reached the lowest point in your life, you can raise the bottom by admitting how much you need treatment. Contact us today to learn more about making a fresh start in the beautiful mountains of Taos, New Mexico.
