How Do You Know When You’ve Hit “Rock Bottom?”

The term “rock bottom,” as it pertains to addiction, refers to someone reaching their lowest point. According to the logic many people use, individuals suffering from addiction must reach rock bottom before they’ll see the light and turn their lives around.

This begs the question: “How does someone know when they’ve reached rock bottom?”

There’s really no good answer—and perhaps it’s not the question that should be asked. Unfortunately, there’s no limit to how devastating drugs and alcohol can be.

Instead, consider this question: “Why do you need to reach rock bottom to get help?”

The simple answer is: “you don’t.” The concept of hitting rock bottom is mostly a myth—one that has permeated movies, TV, and other forms of popular culture. Sure, it may take someone losing friendships, jobs, partners, or getting hurt to give up drugs and alcohol, but many people are able to make a positive change well before that. It may take someone experiencing a “wake-up call” or epiphany, but this doesn’t need to happen at the lowest point in someone’s life.

No matter when you decide to give up drugs or alcohol, getting and remaining sober when you suffer from substance use disorder (SUD) is not easy. That’s because addiction is a chronic brain illness that leads someone to compulsively use and seek substances despite their negative effects on someone’s life. However, SUD is treatable and, while there may not be a cure, many people are able to lead fulfilling lives in recovery.

Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Addiction in Florida

Unfortunately, Florida has a reputation for both illicit and prescription drug misuse, likely due to its status as a drug smuggling port and the prevalence of “pill mills”—clinics that overprescribe pain pills to turn maximum profits—throughout the state. Miami and other cities also have reputations for being places where people party hard, frequently overdoing it with drugs and alcohol. That said, there’s some excellent addiction care there as well.

Recovery First Treatment Center, located in Hollywood, Florida, offers several different treatment options and steps, including:

• Medical detox.
• Intensive rehabilitation.
• Residential treatment.
• A partial hospitalization program (day treatment).
• An intensive outpatient program.

Recovery First also offers specialized treatment tracks for healthcare professionals and veterans and first responders, as well as a robust aftercare program that includes an alumni app, sponsorship programs, virtual meetings, sober events, and more.

Recovery First is an American Addiction Centers’ facility, which means it offers the 90-day promise as a guarantee and safeguard against relapse for people who have spent 3 consecutive months in treatment.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, please reach out to an admissions navigator at to learn more about the treatment options, amenities, and care provided at Recovery First.