August 19 - Hitting Bottom

Hitting Bottom

In the 4th edition of the Big Book, on page 425, in one of the personal stories, it says “One definition of a bottom is that point where the thing you just lost or the thing you are about to lose becomes more important to you than booze.” I would add that one definition of relapse is that point where the thing you just received or the thing you are about to receive becomes more important to you than your sobriety.

If my sobriety is not my top priority, if I allow something (a job, a relationship, a material possession) to take precedence over staying sober, then I might as well take a drink now and get it over with because it will just be a matter of time.

The late Ray O'Keefe said, "There is a line.....somewhere.....beyond which we are not permitted. And there is a point...somewhere...below which we are not permitted to sink. And there is a threshold of pain...somewhere...beyond which no human being is required to endure. And it's different for everyone."

AA literature tells us that the reason so much importance is placed on hitting bottom is that few alcoholics will practice the twelve steps unless they have hit bottom because the process requires the adoption of attitudes and actions that those who are still drinking would never dream of taking.

Imagine you're in the bar with your buddies. You got a hundred bucks in your wallet and you suddenly remember you owe three of them 20 bucks each. They haven't remembered but you have. You'd tell them right even if means you'll only have 40 bucks left. Uh-huh.