Hitting Rock Bottom
We hear a lot about “rock bottom,” but the truth is it looks different for everyone dealing with an alcohol problem. For some people, it means waking up in a strange bed with no memories of the previous night.
For others, it could mean getting fired from your job and walked out of the building by security officers. Or it could be the moment you’re served with a civil suit for property damage you caused while you were drunk.
You can feel it emotionally, physically, and financially, but rock bottom is generally marked by a clear sense of “This is it. This is the lowest I’ve ever been. It cannot get worse than this.” Even the idea that you might experience something lower than this scares the heck out of you.
You don’t want to get any lower. You want to start digging your way out of the hole, but you aren’t sure how.
Call it what it is
It’s time to admit you’re an alcoholic. Actually, it may be past time, but better late than never.
You have to say the words, even if just to yourself in front of a mirror. You don’t just ‘like to party,” you have a serious issue with alcohol, and you have to get help.
Once you’ve admitted it, it’s time to find help. You may want to discuss your options with family members or friends, but don’t talk about it for so long that you never get around to actually doing anything.
You’ll need to call a counsellor, rehab centre, or a local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous. You may even want to call all three.
Getting sober is going to be tough even with help, but it’s pretty much impossible to achieve on your own. Don’t try to be a tough guy and just quit cold turkey.
You need to explore the underlying reasons for your alcoholism. It will mean some painful and difficult conversations, but you can’t just stick a tiny bandage over a gaping wound and hope that will be enough.
It may be tempting to have “one last drink” before you commit to staying clean, but don’t do it. You already know you won’t be able to stop at one.
Your other responsibilities
The rest of life won’t wait for you while you take care of your alcohol problem, so you need to find a way to address your other obligations. If you need to leave work for a few weeks to go to a rehab facility, see if you’re eligible for time off under the Family Medical Leave Act.
If you’ve gotten yourself into a mess that requires a lawyer, then start calling law offices and find a good one. It’s likely your drinking has done some damage to your personal relationships, so don’t try to dodge any questions from your loved ones about what’s going on.
You don’t have to give them every detail, but you do need to make it clear that you’re seeking help. If you feel like you can apologize sincerely, then do so.
But know that one simple “I’m sorry” won’t be enough. You may have to spend months or years proving to them that you can be trusted again.
It will be a long climb back after you hit rock bottom. Progress will be slower than you’d like at times.
But stick with it. Nothing less than your life is at stake.
*This is a collaborative post.
