How do you know when an alcoholic has hit rock bottom?

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Member of my family is an alcoholic. She's fighting it tooth and nail, doing all the right things, but keeps fucking up, with escalating consequences.

Every time the remorse is massive, she's straight back into her program, everyone gets optimistic again. Then it happens again. And every time our "last chance", "line in the sand" shifts.

I think she's got to hit rock bottom before she actually puts everything into her recovery. But how do you know when that happens?

Hello everyone, and thank you for sharing your stories on this thread, good and bad. Inspired by the update thread I thought I would let you all know what's happened.

When I posted that was just about rock bottom for alcoholic family member. It got about as bad as it could. We rallied around for the safety / security of the child but alcoholic family member put everything into her recovery. She's 5 months sober, still attending AA daily, no longer on ADs and starting new job next year. She's more happy, positive, grateful and at peace than ever before.

There's still a long road ahead but the signs are positive.

Happy New Year everyone.

My ex H will not let my adult son reach rock bottom. I have therefore distanced myself from him as he does not want to seek help and I refuse to be around him when he is under the influence (most of the time, then). I strongly feel that it would be loving to let him experience the consequences of his drinking rather than keep bailing him out. What do others think?