How To Cope With Addictive Personality

Resisting Behaviors Of An Addictive Personality

Communication is a crucial aspect of coping with a friend or loved ones susceptibility to addiction. Addiction is a lifelong battle for many that no one should have to fight alone. This arduous fight may seem winnable when friends, family members, and significant others know what is needed.

Support from close relatives and friends can assist the person in staying clean. Perseverance is also key in order to help a person overcome difficult and sad moments. Recognizing these moments as temporary allows them to continue concentrating on what it takes to maintain a healthy, addiction-free lifestyle.

Ways To Overcome An Addictive Personality

Reviewed by Brittany Polansky, MSW, LCSW

South Florida Drug Rehab » 5 Ways to Overcome An Addictive Personality

People all over the world are dealing with what is known as an addictive personality disorder. Its more common than people may think. And its more harmful than people may believe. Often, addictive personalities lead to addiction.

Sometimes, people who have an addictive personality disorder become addicted to things like alcohol and drugs. Other individuals may develop an addiction to certain behaviors or activities.

In any case, though, addiction is unhealthy and harmful. So, its extremely important for those who struggle with an addictive personality to get help right away.

Maybe youve recently noticed an addictive personality in your life. Perhaps youve been trying to figure out how to overcome it in order to avoid further problems. Whether you are trying to prevent the development of an addiction problem or avoid addiction relapse, its best to seek professional help in overcoming the traits of an addictive personality.

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Overworking And Work Addictions

The concept of being a workaholic is often something that is made light of in todays society where everyone has to work hard to make a living however, being a workaholic is just as dangerous as being any other type of addict. An individual with addictive personality disorder may find that they experience a high or a feeling of great release when they are working and as such they are always working in an attempt to chase that high. While the negative effects of overworking are often not as apparent as the negative effects of an eating disorder or a drug abuse problem, they can be just as significant. An individual who chronically overworks can find themselves neglecting their own personal health, their own family members and their basic human needs such as food and socialization. It may not seem like such a significant impact to be a workaholic, but workaholics can quickly find themselves without a family member to turn on, with significant health concerns as a result of a lack of medical care and without anyone to turn to when things become too rough because they have neglected all of their friends and family.

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Significant Traits Used To Determine An Addictive Personality

There are some common traits displayed by individuals that have an addictive personality that can make addiction more likely. While this doesnt necessarily always indicate substance abuse, drugs and alcohol usually play a considerable role.

The most common traits of those who may be if it from addictive personality treatment include:

Reflect On Your Addiction

Take time to reflect on what is important to you, how addiction has negatively affected you, and how your life will improve with sobriety.

The easiest way to reflect effectively is to keep a daily journal. With a journal, you can help yourself start a plan to stop addiction to help identify patterns, triggers, goals, and motivators.

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What Causes An Addictive Personality

In addition to the traits listed above, a variety of other traits tend to have a higher prevalence among addicted individuals.

For example, people with addiction:

• Might be impulsive. They are sometimes described as erratic or spontaneous.
• Seek out situations that fulfill an emotional need for new or varied experiences.
• Have negative effects. This means they turn to alcohol or other substances to manage negative emotions, such as stress, anger, or sadness.
• Have negative urgency. This means they have a difficult time managing stress in a healthy manner.
• Are neurotic or have a high level of neuroticism. Challenges cause them to express sadness, anger, anxiety, and irritability.
• Are disagreeable. Addicts tend to be selfish, less friendly, and uncooperative.
• Are more aggressive. They tend to act out in violent and hostile manners toward others.

Again, its important to note that anyone with the genetic makeup and experiences that increases the risk of substance use disorder can develop an addiction. The above-listed traits seem to occur more frequently among people with addiction, which led to the misconception of an addictive personality.

Addiction Myths The Addictive Personality

Addiction has a complex mechanism and can affect anyone, regardless of their personality or temperament. In fact, a 2011 review published in the journal Evaluation and the Health Professions looked at data from 83 large-scale studies. It showed that, at any given time, approximately half of the US population shows signs of an addictive disorder.

We already know that some people can use alcohol or drugs occasionally, but their effects dont result in regular use, while other might try a substance for the first time and it leads them to crave more almost instantly. On the other hand, many people develop addictions that dont involve any substances such as gambling or shopping.

So what makes some people get addicted to certain substances or behaviors while others dont? One factually incorrect explanation was that they have addictive personalities. We tend to use the word addictive and addicted a lot to everyday circumstances. We say that a show is binge-worthy, a book is an addictive read and we describe other people as adrenaline junkies, workaholics, chocoholics and caffeine addicts. Theres also scientific evidence indicating that having one addiction increases the risk of developing co-occurring addictions. For example, being addicted to gambling and alcohol at the same time. Its also quite common for someone to give up one addiction and then to replace it with another.

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Questions About Addictive Personalities Answered

Often, people ask me why I often avoid drinking alcohol, refuse to get an Apple Watch, or stray away from diets like the plague. I say its because I have an addictive personality. What I usually mean when I say this, is that I have a tendency to numb my feelings or get carried away with an activity to the point of compulsion instead of regulating my nervous system in a more balanced, healthier way.

Let me explain. If I have a bad day at work or catch a wave of social anxiety at a group event, like a wedding, my first instinct is to make that feeling go away. What is one of the quickest ways to do that? Alcoholwhich is why I have to be careful. More times than not, my desire to drink alcohol is directly tied to my desire to escape uncomfortable feelings. Red flag!

Similarly, I used to get so overwhelmed with making healthy food and lifestyle choices that I would go overboard on how much food restricted and how much I would exercise. It felt like an all or nothing game to me. Much like my relationship with alcohol, it was the motive behind restricting food and exercising a lot that became an issue.

Since I often say I have an addictive personality, I decided to consult the experts to get their thoughts on this concept.

Here are the four burning questions I asked:

Impulse Control And The Addictive Personality

Other factors include ones personal interests. Another indicator of an addictive personality includes the need for stimulation. Someone who is restless and is in need of constant excitement may develop characteristics of an addictive personality. In the case of impulsivity, or rapid unplanned behavior without due regard for ramifications, decision-making abilities can be impacted. Poor impulse control can also invite the need for variety, influencing someone to seek out new habits. These habits may soon become compulsions or addictions.

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Related To Others With Addiction

There is no question that genetic makeup has at least some effect on a persons risk of developing addiction. As described by many studies, including one from the journal Psychiatry, having a close family member who is struggling with an addiction can make it more likely that an individual will develop an addiction as well.

In fact, certain portions of the human genome have even been identified as having a direct connection to specific addictions, according to a study in Nature. With this knowledge, it may be possible in the future to more accurately identify just how likely a person is to develop addiction. Still, genetic potential is no guarantee that an individual will develop addiction. Other complex, environmental factors also contribute to the potential that a genetic predisposition will become a true substance use disorder.

Healthy Habits: How To Make Your Addictive Personality Work For You

We know that addiction is a disease. Treating it isnt as simple as saying, No more for me, thanks. Drug and alcohol abuse changes your prefrontal cortex, which makes it difficult for you to make rational decisions, even basic ones like No, I dont want to use today.

We also know the pitfalls, perils, and problems associated with addiction. Maybe you, like many others, have lost out on friends, missed opportunities, experiences, and money chasing a bit of relief from pain. While addiction can be challenging to deal with, what if there was such a thing as a positive addiction?

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Getting Help For Addictions

Addiction is a treatable condition. Whatever the addiction, there are lots of ways you can seek help. You could see your GP for advice or contact an organisation that specialises in helping people with addictions.

You can use the following online directories to find addiction treatment services in your area:

The Importance Of Overcoming Addictive Characteristics

There are countless reasons why its important to overcome the effects and symptoms of an addictive personality disorder. Its clear that addictive personalities can lead to addiction, which is certainly something everyone wants to avoid. However, there are even more reasons why you should work to prevent this disorder from affecting you any longer.

Addictive personalities may not always lead immediately to addiction. But, they certainly cause problems and challenges in the lives of those who deal with them. These personality traits have a tendency to interrupt everyday routines and prevent individuals from leading normal lives. They can cause short-term and long-term negative effects.

Sometimes, people who struggle with addictive personalities may struggle with anxiety or depression. Both of these are mental health disorders that affect a persons overall mood, mental and emotional health, ability to communicate with others, and much more. Often, people who have anxiety or depression become emotionally withdrawn, keeping all of their feelings and emotions inside.

This prevents them from successfully connecting with their loved ones. In some situations, this can lead to marital problems. It can also cause an emotional separation between siblings, parents and their children, and friends.

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Is Your Addiction Impacting Your Quality Of Life

Its time to get help when impulsivity and addiction are impacting your quality of life. If you have difficulty thinking about anything else but what youre addicted to, thats a problem. If you find yourself at work obsessing over when youre going to drink next or when you can engage in gambling, thats an issue.

When you cant seem to stop the addictive behavior or even think about it, thats when you need to seek help. For example, a gambling addiction can be extremely serious. People can risk their finances or even their homes. You can lose all your money, and before you know it, youre asking others to bail you out. That shows that your addiction is out of control. Its important to note that sometimes the shame of addiction prevents people from getting help. Dont let that happen to you. You are not defective because you have an addictive personality. Many people struggle with addiction. Everybody struggles with something, and thats why its crucial to seek help.

What Are Addictive Behaviors

Being able to identify addictive behaviors is an important part of being able to help a loved one who appears to have an addictive personality disorder. As mentioned above, many people often believe that addictive behaviors are limited to extreme drug abuse however, this is simply not true. Addictive behaviors are wide-ranging and incorporate a significant number of actions which are not always easily identified by family members as being problem behaviors.

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Dont Wait To Get Help

It is a myth that a person has to hit rock-bottom before you can get help for your addictions. You may have a personality that craves excess but it doesnt have to be unhealthy. A healthy enthusiasm adds to life, while an addiction takes away from it.

Behavioral Health Centers can help you find balance in your life. Our addiction specialists are experienced in treating dual diagnosis situations, the most common cause of addictions. We have inpatient and outpatient programs so you can begin your rehab at the right intensity and step down to lower levels as needed.

Of course, Behavioral Health Centers has an aftercare program, the final step. We are devoted to helping you have a successful outcome from your treatment, and continue to long-term recovery. Waiting wont help you in any way. Contact us now. We are available to answer your questions at any time and you can reach us here: .

Behavioral Health Centers

Openness To Experience And Addiction

Are you comfortable trying new things? Or do you tend to stick to what you know? Generally, people who are open to new life experiences and willing to take positive risks are less likely to get addicted to substances.

However, thrill-seeking or excessive risk-taking can be associated with addiction such as high stakes gambling or adrenaline-fuelled extreme sports. This is connected to another trait linked to addiction in studies impulsivity.

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There Are Some Ways To Avoid Becoming An Addict For Example:

• Avoid drinking to socialize with others
• Avoid constantly checking social media, email, etc.
• Avoid self-medicating or using pills or marijuana for relaxation
• Dont avoid quitting due to its difficulty
• Seek help from professionals

A person doesnt have to hit rock bottom to realize that they need help. While a person may have a personality that craves more, they do not have to live an unhealthy lifestyle. Personality doesnt determine a persons future.

Residential rehab facilities are able to help individuals struggling with addictive personality disorder to end their addictions and receive treatment for co-occurring disorders. Once the addiction and co-occurring disorder is treated, individuals are able to live highly productive lives.

The first step to getting help is acknowledging that there is a problem. Once the problem is acknowledged, a residential rehab can provide the professional help needed for healing.

Dont Use Marijuana To Relax

If you are tense or anxious at the end of a long day, you might have found that some marijuana can help you relax. But it has a rebound effect when it wears off. Anxiety actually increases. It can also harm your motivation or trigger psychological problems.

Do: Look for safer methods of stress management and relaxation

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What Is Addictive Personality Disorder

For many people the very mention of addiction brings to mind the heroin addict who has lost their home, family and all of their personal possessions as a result of their drug habit. The truth of the matter is however, that someone with addictive personality disorder does not have to have a substance abuse problem to be classified as having this disorder. In fact, the presence of a substance abuse problem is not even a classification factor when it comes to identifying someone with this type of disorder. Someone who has an addictive personality disorder is someone who has difficulty managing the stress in their lives and rather than coping with stressors in a normal way, they turn to behaviors that are often destructive in nature to help to release the stress that they are feeling. In addition to being hypersensitive to stress, these individuals are often also prone to impulsive behavior and show a significant lack of self esteem. For these individuals, engaging in addictive behaviors is a way to help to try to alleviate the negative emotions being felt as a result of all of these factors.

Getting Help To Overcome Addiction

Fighting through the hard times of addiction includes getting high-quality substance abuse treatment. Today, evidence proves that addiction is a physiological disease that affects the brains wiring and chemistry. This means that psychological and psychiatric care are just as important.

If you or a loved one struggles with an addiction, contact Ashley Addiction Treatment at to get the help you need today.

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How To Spot An Addictive Personality

Do you have an addictive personality?

Can you spot an addictive personality? If youre like most people, probably not. While many people imagine all addicts as rail-thin heroin addicts leaning against the side of buildings in the poorer parts of town, the reality is that many people whom you may not suspect might have traits that could make them more susceptible to potential addictions. What are the signs of an addictive personality disorder? What can you do if you or someone you love exhibits such traits?

The Debate over Addictive Personality Disorder

First off, it is important to acknowledge that there is no clinical diagnosis known as addictive personality disorder. While there are several known personality disorders that can result in a clinical diagnosis, addictive personality is not one of them.

That leads some to believe that what is known in the common vernacular as addictive personality disorder does not really exist. However, for those who subscribe to the theory that there is such a thing as addictive personality disorder, the evidence seems to point to the fact that some people appear to be more prone to developing an addiction than others. This, then, is what most people mean when they refer to addictive personality disorder.

Common Traits that Indicate an Addictive Personality

Addressing the Addictive Personality through Drug and Alcohol Rehab

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