Let's Not Cancel "Rock Bottom". Let's Redefine It.

AJ Diaz, LMSW, CASAC-T • Feb 08, 2022

Let's Not Cancel "Rock Bottom". Let's Redefine It.

The term “rock bottom” is thrown around quite a bit and not just in the recovery community. It is used as a colloquial term to describe something, usually an individual, who has come to the end of their rope with an experience. This now commonly used phrase evokes an imagery of someone who is beaten down - physically, mentally and emotionally. Ask yourself this, when you hear that someone has hit “rock bottom,” where does your mind go? I think for most people, it immediately goes to the worst situation they can conjur. 


I have read several articles recently positing that the idea of “rock bottom” or “hitting bottom” has kept people from getting help. From what I can digest in these articles, “rock bottom” seems to be a barrier to people getting help early on, particularly for substance use. I wanted to write on this topic as I have some mixed feelings about the term, the experience of hitting bottom and what it means for me. My hope is this can educate those who have a particular view about the term and just perhaps, start an important conversation. 


If there is one thing I hope you take away here it would be this:


I think we need to redefine the concept of rock bottom, not lose it altogether.


Almost 7 years ago I had my own individual experience with rock bottom. For me, it was an experience of extreme sadness, loneliness and struggle with substances. I did not like who I was anymore when I looked in the mirror and the people closest to me did not like it either. I was truly “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” I never wish for anyone to experience something like that. 


However, for me, I needed the experience. If it wasn’t for my own rock bottom, I would have kept on the same path. I never would have gotten help and my subsequent recovery would have never materialized. That bottom became the beginning of my freedom and would become the firm foundation that my recovery and the rest of my life now sits on. 


What I mean by that is this - it became my motivation to continue to take steps to better myself and my life so that I would never experience it again. Rock bottom ended up allowing me to have a cognitive shift - I was able to recognize that what I was doing and how I was behaving was not only destructive to me, but to everyone around me as well. 


From both my own lived experience and the experience of speaking with many people who have found recovery, I believe that everyone needs to have their own version of a bottom. I think this is where the wires have been crossed a bit. 


One thing that I very much agree with is that someone does not need to be in dire straits to get help for a substance use disorder or get help with anything for that matter.


There is nothing that says an individual needs to be transient in order to finally get the help that they want and deserve.  Rock bottom is subjective to every single person. It is the point where you begin questioning your relationship to a substance and the behaviors/emotions/feelings that both precede and follow the use of it. 


Recently, the actress, Zendaya, posted a statement regarding the journey of her character in the show Euphoria. In the statement, she points to her character “Rue,” and the experience of her addiction, hitting rock bottom and journey of recovery. What I took away from the message is that there is hope - hope for someone struggling. As well, it reminded me of the importance of listening to understand rather than listening to respond. 


I believe that the misnomer of the dire rock bottom tends to be exacerbated by people not understanding what is happening for their friend or loved one. “Come on! You don’t have a problem with alcohol; you drink like everyone else!” “Just stop doing it, I can stop whenever I want, you should be able to also!” I cannot imagine how crushing that must be to hear for someone who is in the midst of a struggle and/or questioning their relationship to alcohol, who just does not feel good about drinking regardless of what it looks like to everyone else. 


Rock bottom no longer needs to be synonymous with someone who has lost housing, lost employment, or family or friends.


If you know someone who has come to you and verbalized that they are struggling, in ANY fashion, be an open ear to listen and really hear what they are saying. If they cannot see what is happening for them, help them with kindness to understand and be with them with healthy support so that they can get the help they deserve. 

Marking Women's History Month: A Reflection on Sobriety, Self-Acceptance, and Shaping My Legacy

By Nicole Benoist, CPS, CCAR • 29 Mar, 2024
As we conclude Women's History Month, I have been thinking about what being a woman means to me at this stage in life. In just a few weeks, I will (hopefully) enter my fourth year of sobriety, a journey that intersects with another milestone: my 50th birthday in November. Reflecting on the woman I have evolved into, I am at peace. The false sense of all-knowing that once dominated my youth has given way to a welcomed uncertainty. My heart is open to the possibilities that life has yet to unveil—undiscovered people, places, and experiences. The path ahead is a beautiful unknown; I'm meeting it with open arms. My sobriety has been transformative, illuminating the brighter paths in life while diminishing the darker trails. Most importantly, it has taught me that my history does not dictate my destiny. My journey through life has given me invaluable lessons about my limitations and the beauty of accepting them. The jewels of my existence—faith, family, career, a close circle of friends, and self-care—finally have the focus they deserve. Through forgiveness, I have learned to cultivate love and compassion for myself. I have discovered the strength to alter the course of my life through persistence, discipline, and patience. My spiritual connection has deepened in unimaginable ways, offering a new perspective on my relationship with God. The complex challenges of parenthood have revealed themselves as both the most demanding and rewarding endeavors of my life, underscoring the inevitability of imperfection. I've found vulnerability is not a weakness but a conduit to genuine connection, understanding, and profound love. As I navigate through life, the narrative of my personal history continues to unfold, prompting introspection about the legacy I aspire to leave behind. The impact of my place in the world becomes of utmost importance—what does legacy mean to me? This question often guides my advice to my children: "Did you leave that conversation, person, or situation better than you found it?" My ambition is that my legacy will be the sum of positive daily interactions and acts of kindness that collectively contribute to a more compassionate world. This reflection is not just a personal testament but a universal invitation to embrace the unknown with grace, to recognize the transformative power of self-acceptance, and to acknowledge the profound influence of individual actions on the fabric of our shared humanity.

Embracing Our Essence: A Women's History Month Reflection on Rediscovering and Celebrating Authentic Womanhood

By Ailish Abbate, PRC • 22 Mar, 2024
To all the women reading this, it's clear that the mantle of womanhood carries an immense burden. Our surroundings incessantly dictate the essence of being a woman, often presenting a paradox: to embody everything yet simultaneously embody the antithesis. The act of womanhood propels us far from our origins, to the extent of erasing the memory of our childhood streets. It nudges us toward oblivion, making us forget our desires, preferences, and identities. Navigating womanhood correctly seems an unattainable feat, pushing us to seek love, acceptance, and validation externally. I, too, succumbed to these norms of womanhood, adhering to expectations that dictated my body size, compliance, and emotional expression. I was taught that self-prioritization is selfish, that expressing emotions is overly dramatic, and that any display of humanity is frowned upon. I believed that to fit in, I had to diminish myself—altering my appearance, interests, and essence. In a world where self-love is an act of defiance, I desperately sought validation elsewhere. My encounter with drugs and alcohol falsely promised me inclusion into the desired mold of womanhood, allowing me to display the traits I believed were necessary. However, this pursuit led me to a breaking point, bending over backward to conform to an imposed standard. Sobriety became the key to liberating my true self, embarking on a journey back to my roots. It has allowed me to reconstruct the meaning of womanhood, celebrating qualities like compassion, strength, intelligence, bravery, sensitivity, and wisdom. The burdens I once bore have been replaced with profound gratitude for the honor of belonging to the extraordinary collective known as women. In celebration of International Women's Day, let's embrace the diversity and strength inherent in womanhood, forging a path of empowerment and self-discovery.

Breaking Barriers: Black History Month and the Intersection of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder

By Nick Dansby, RCP • 23 Feb, 2024
February marks the celebration of Black History Month, a time to recognize the invaluable contributions of African Americans throughout history and today. Beyond the achievements and milestones, it’s imperative to shed light on the intersections of mental health within the black community. First-hand experience has exposed the gaps in access to treatment. Historical adversities like slavery and systemic exclusion from leverage, equity, inclusion and basic human rights have left a lasting impact, manifesting as socio-economic disparities and barriers to mental health treatment today. The Connection Between Black History and Mental Health: While mental health conditions don’t discriminate based on race, the challenges of accessing adequate mental health treatment are more common for people of color, particularly African Americans. Misdiagnosis, limited access to healthcare, and the scarcity of African American mental health professionals contribute to a significant disparity in mental health outcomes. After an unprovoked assault in 2017, I was told by a therapist that I had exhibited symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, the follow-up, specialist referral, an official diagnosis and treatment were all lacking. Key Trends: The statistics reveal a harsh reality. African American adults are 20% more likely to experience mental health issues than the rest of the population. Black young people face challenges in accessing mental health services compared to their white counterparts. Only 25% of African Americans seek treatment for mental health issues, in contrast to 40% of Caucasian individuals. Socioeconomic factors further propagate the situation, with those living below the poverty line being three times more likely to report severe psychological distress. The Role of Stigma and Lack of Representation: Misdiagnosis by healthcare professionals, societal stigma, and a shortage of black mental health practitioners contribute to the current plight of access to mental health resources in the black community. The underrepresentation of blacks in mental health professions, as highlighted by the statistics, creates a significant gap in culturally competent care. 6.2% of psychologists, 5.6% of advanced-practice psychiatric nurses, 12.6% of social workers, and 21.3% of psychiatrists are members of underrepresented groups. Remember my therapist who informed me about my PTSD? Well, she was also black. I’ve often wondered if she was equipped to complete a full diagnosis, with recommended treatment. Or did she face barriers in performing her professional duties? Paving the Way for Change: Black History Month serves as a reminder to work continually towards breaking down those barriers for the underrepresented, ensuring equal access to mental health and substance abuse resources. Notable figures like Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller, Dr. Paul Cornely, and Mamie Phipps Clark have paved the way for equitable healthcare, making significant contributions to psychiatry, public health, and psychology, respectively. A Call to Action: As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wisely stated, progress requires relentless forward movement. Beyond February, it is our collective responsibility to advocate for equal access and dismantle the barriers preventing adequate mental health care. By building awareness, supporting initiatives that promote inclusivity, and demanding change at all levels, we can contribute to a society where mental health is prioritized for everyone. And, hopefully, we may all experience a world where all voices of positive self advocacy are welcomed and encouraged. Sources: Excerpts and data used from Discoverymood.com, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, and Plymouth Psych Group
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