Chances are you’ve heard the phrase “rock bottom” a time or two in your life. Perhaps you’ve had a friend who hit rock bottom or you have been there yourself. To hit rock bottom means that someone has ended up in a very distressing place in life, perhaps the lowest point a person could reach. When it comes to alcoholism or drug addiction, rock bottom could be a near-death experience, legal trouble or losing all that’s important to you (e.g., family, friends, work security). It could also mean experiencing a mental or emotional breakdown. Rock bottom is different for each person. It is a terrible place to be.

There are many types of “rock bottoms” for people. Hitting rock bottom may look different for one person than for another. The important thing is that no matter what the actual circumstance, the feelings all remain the same: emptiness, being completely lost and immersed in despair. It can sometimes take hitting rock bottom for people to even consider going into recovery. For some people, it happens sooner rather than later. For others, it can take severe consequences such as overdosing or getting arrested to receive help. Whatever your rock bottom is, you’re the only one who knows when you’ve hit it.

Rock bottom is also a chance for a change. One thing good about hitting and surviving rock bottom is that it often serves as a huge wakeup call to get some professional help. When everything you touch seems to go wrong and you recognize a pattern, maybe it’s time to stop what you’re doing. The good news is that you can reach out for help and begin a journey of healing and recovery.

Being at such a low spot in life is difficult. You may feel hopeless, useless, like you’re just a failure with no future. These feelings are temporary, as you can begin a journey to get through your current situation and feel better down the road. It will require you to do some things differently and rebuild relationships. It will require effort on your part, but the end result will be so worth it! Your rock bottom is simply the beginning of a new and beautiful life that you can create one day at a time.

If you feel as if you are at rock bottom, or close to it, seriously consider reaching out for help. You can do so in a variety of ways. Call Psychological Services Bureau (PSB) at (213) 738-3500 to get yourself into some counseling, or call the Substance Abuse Resource Program coordinator at the same number. You can attend a 12-step recovery group. You can start treatment at a rehab center, or you can start attending AA or Peace Officer’s Fellowship (POF) if you are a sworn member.