{"id":127,"date":"2011-02-24T07:41:22","date_gmt":"2011-02-24T07:41:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/movingbeyondaddiction\/2011\/02\/have-you-hit-bottom.html"},"modified":"2011-02-24T07:41:22","modified_gmt":"2011-02-24T07:41:22","slug":"have-you-hit-bottom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/thecelebritytherapist\/2011\/02\/have-you-hit-bottom.html","title":{"rendered":"Have you Hit Bottom?"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/font><\/p>\n


\n<\/font><\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

Everyone that has ever dealt with an addiction will
\neventually hit a “bottom”. When an addict hits bottom they experience the
\nlowest of the low, arriving at a place they never imagined possible. The actual
\n“bottom” for every addict is unique and relative. For some it may be maxing out
\nall of their credit cards, for other’s it may be ending up homeless doing
\nunimaginable things to support their habit. Regardless of the outside view of
\nthe severity of the addicts “bottom”, it is a painful and often humiliating
\nsituation where the end of their existence seems closer than ever before. If
\nyou are suffering with an addiction, are you able to describe your bottom in
\ndetail? This may be more crucial than you realize.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reaching the “bottom” of an addiction can be a driving force
\nfor addicts to become clean and maintain a healthy recovery. The Law of Sobriety<\/a> tells us that
\nour experiences as addicts are unique. These experiences include the driving
\nforces to use along with the consequences that landed us at rock bottom. While
\nour stories are unique, addicts must realize that they are not alone with their
\nstruggle. By being able to express your “bottom” with vivid detail, you can
\nequip yourself with a valuable tool to aid you on your recovery journey. It is
\nby knowing what we have done and how those things have placed us in particular
\nsituations where you can truly become empowered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Never forget your individual circumstances and experiences
\nthat occurred during your using life. These experiences will remind you of a
\ntime and place where you never wish to return. If you simply move on, without
\ndealing with your “bottom” experience you run a risk of ending up right back
\nwhere you started. It is through doing nothing where addicts run the risk of
\nbecoming too comfortable. Within this comfort the disease of addiction will
\ntrick the addict into thinking that they are perfectly fine. When the trickster
\nstarts the game of playing with your mind, the addict runs the highest risk of
\nrelapse. There are many tools that are available to aid you with preventing
\nrelapse and they should be used on a frequent basis. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Combining tools to
\nprevent relapse<\/a> along with never forgetting your “bottom” are tremendous
\nassets to ensure a successful recovery. If you are a suffering addict that
\nfeels they haven’t reached a “bottom” it may be of use to listen to the stories
\nof other addicts experiencing theirs. In the end remember that the stories of
\nhitting bottom are what can keep you sober, regardless if those accounts are
\nyour own or those of another addict.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sherry Gaba, LCSW, is a Licensed Psychotherapist and
\nRecovery\/Life Coach on Celebrity Rehab and in private practice in Agoura,
\nWestlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Malibu, and Calabasas.  <\/span>Contact Sherry at sherry@sgabatherapy.com<\/a> or www.sgabatherapy.com<\/a> or www.thelawofsobriety.com<\/a> to learn
\nmore about her workshops, speaking engagements, coaching packages, and
\nteleseminars<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Everyone that has ever dealt with an addiction will eventually hit a “bottom”. When an addict hits bottom they experience the lowest of the low, arriving at a place they never imagined possible. The actual “bottom” for every addict is unique and relative. 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