How deep within the abyss have you fallen?

Almost everyone, at one point in their life will suffer some hardships, fall on hard times and so forth. The reasons are endless. Addictions, poverty, depression, those are just a few. One bad thing can lead to an even worse thing…or sometimes it might act as a spring to get you back to better times. Some people pick themselves up, others adapt, while some unfortunate people find worse solutions and outcomes.
But really it can be so many things. Struggling to feed one’s family, struggling with suicidal tendencies, addictions, self seeking gone wrong, bad work experiences, not being able to find work, the list, I daresay, is endless.
If you’ve a mind to share, what were some really bad times in your life and how did you cope? Or are you still coping? Are you in the abyss right now?
What do you learn from such things, what did you take away…or what did it take from you?