Do you have to Hit Rock Bottom for Rehab?

It is a good question. Most people say that an addict has to hit "rock bottom" before they can really be helped. This may not always be true. Also, keep in mind that rock bottom means something different for each of us. For some, the loss of a job or a relationship is rock bottom. For others, it might be the loss of family, house, car, job, and living homeless. Most people don't need to experience that kind of rock bottom in order to seek help! To lose everything, you have to be either incredibly stubborn or incredibly stupid. Or both!

The purpose of hitting rock bottom, if there is one, is that at that point you are able to admit that you are powerless over your addiction and you will do anything you can to try to treat it. (Which, not coincidentally, is the First Step of AA). If it takes the loss of everything and everyone around you, then that's what it takes. For some, the simple threat of a loss of important things in their life is enough for them to realise that it is time to get help. For others, the loss of a job or loss of a relationship with a loved one is rock bottome enough to realize that "this is serious and I need to get help".

If you are thinking about getting help, or a loved one is in need of help for their addiction, haven't they hit rock bottom enough? Maybe they are not at the point of admitting they have a serious problem and they need a little "push" in the right direction. Getting an intervention could be the little push (or big push) that they need to realize that they have hit rock bottom enough to get help. Give our HelpLine a call at 866-478-9898. We can help with an intervention referral and also work with you to get your loved one into treatment.

Recovery from Drug Addiction and Alcohol Addiction

There are many ways people seek treatment for drug addiction and alcohol addiction. Many seek treatment through drug rehabs and alcohol rehabs, while others may find it helps working with their Psychologist, Psychiatrist or Doctor. Still others may find relief through spirituality or religion to relieve them of their drug abuse and alcohol abuse. All are great ways to get started on your road to recovery. When combined with the knowledge of being powerless over drug addiction and alcohol addiction, as taken from Step One in Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, you then have an even greater chance of sustained recovery.

Step One -

We admitted that we were powerless over our alcohol addiction and/or drug addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable.

The First Step is the start of the recovery process...the freedom from drug addiction and alcohol addiction starts with Step One.

Strike while the iron is hot...call a rehab today!

The decision to enter into a drug rehab and begin the all important work of recovery is fearful for most people! Aloha and thank you for taking the time to read our daily blog at Paradise Recovery. We often here from our HelpLine operator that people will desperately need help and describing an all too familiar story about personal and interpersonal tragedy and how addiction has destroyed all that is important in their lives.

However, a percentage of the callers will then want to "schedule" their rehab until a later day...one, two or even three months in the future. Why do you think this is not helpful? Well, just so you know, all, yes I said ALL, of these callers do not end up in rehab at the time they desired. The misunderstanding that attacking this disease of addiction is like scheduling a spa appointment is a gross underestimation of the control that the disease has over you.

The First of the Twelve Steps say, "We admit we are powerless over our addiction and our lives have become unmanageable." To deny this, is to hand over the power to the disease and in many cases, ending in death!

If you, or someone you know needs help, then please respond to your intuition and make the call immediately, or arrange for help and act quickly. Our experience is when you act quickly, you have a greater chance for transformation, hence a sustaining recovery from drugs and alcohol or any other type of addiction! In "taking control" over getting help, you are "surrendering" to the recovery process away from a life of addiction.


Recuperatio Primoris,

Dr. Bill Heran