This is certainly how most people reach happiness, a conclusion supported by more than a few thinkers (Kierkegaard comes to mind). But is this really the only

This is certainly how most people reach happiness, a conclusion supported by more than a few thinkers (Kierkegaard comes to mind). But is this really the only way? In AA we like to emphasize that there's no such thing as "hitting rock bottom". That is, even if you haven't lost everything, you can have the foresight to stop drinking and get your shit together, and recognize the necessity of changing yourself. That said, most people, myself included, have to hit quite a few rock bottoms before we get the point.