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The Dangers of Promoting “Rock Bottom” in Addiction Recovery

Understanding the Risks and Building a Safe Path to Recovery for Loved Ones

Timothy Harrington
2 min readSep 26, 2023
Waiting for rock bottom may be too late
Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash

The Myth of “Rock Bottom”

For many years, the idea that an individual must hit “rock bottom” before they can truly recover from addiction has been perpetuated. This notion suggests that a person must reach their lowest point, experiencing the harshest consequences of their addiction, before they can genuinely seek help or change. But is this truly the case?

The Emotional Toll of Waiting for “Rock Bottom”

Imagine being a parent, watching your child spiral deeper into the clutches of addiction, and feeling that you must wait for them to hit their lowest point before they can begin to heal. This mindset can be emotionally draining and can create a sense of hopelessness. It’s a painful waiting game that no family should have to play.

The Risks of Delaying Intervention

Promoting the “rock bottom” narrative can deter individuals from seeking help early on. This delay can lead to:

  • Physical harm: The longer an addiction continues, the more damage it can do to the body.

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Timothy Harrington
Timothy Harrington

Written by Timothy Harrington

Champion of Family and Community Powered Change Related to Addiction, Mental and Emotional Health Challenges

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