Wednesday, March 27, 2024

How To Deal With An Addictive Personality

Is An Addictive Personality A Real Thing

How To Deal With Type A Personality & Addictive Behaviors

As many addiction specialists and doctors note, an “addictive personality” is not a diagnosable psychiatric disorder. This means it is not listed in the DSM-5: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, which is the definitive source used by many mental health professionals to diagnose and treat people.

Though the origins of the term addictive personality are unclear, people have long been trying to find the root causes of addiction, Sachs says.

Addiction is defined as a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences.;

Aside from addiction to substances like alcohol and drugs, people can become addicted to a variety of behaviors.

Effective Addictive Personality Treatment Program And Addiction Counseling

When participating in rehab for addiction, it is important to be evaluated for personality traits that can have an impact on sobriety. It will only benefit your cause to ensure that the outpatient treatment programs have the available capacity to provide care. Not only that, but underlying mental health disorders that go undiagnosed go on to encourage relapse later on in recovery.;

Substance abuse and addiction is the type of illness that gets worse the longer that it can continue. The very same is true about having an addictive personality, despite the behavior, and has serious mental health effects. Learning how to deal with an addictive personality is what rehab is all about. Taking the time to invest in yourself and make quality changes to benefit your future gives you back control.

Behaviors That Reveal Someone Has An Addictive Personality

Addictive personalities refer to a set of traits that are believed to indicate a higher risk for someone developing an addiction. There is little universal agreement on these exact traits. But in general, they relate to a tendency for someone to rely on unsafe habits to an extreme degree to cope with problems.

Addictive personalities are a touchy subject. And addiction is such a broad term that its hard to pinpoint exact behaviors to attribute to them. Still, here are 5 behaviors that reveal someone has an addictive personality.

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Mental Health Conditions Vs Addictive Personality

Although it does have some specific criteria, the term addictive personality is not one used in the medical field. In this way, a substance use disorder is set apart, as far as being professionally recognized as a psychological illness. It is a common term used to describe compulsive behaviors, and often in a negative way.;

However, just because it is not classified in the DSM-5, does not mean that therapy cannot help. Often, its individual therapy that begins the process of breaking some of these destructive behaviors. The one-on-one space to freely express the compulsive nature of having an addictive personality is a valuable means of treatment.;;

Other illnesses that are often diagnosed along with an addiction, as well as with an addictive personality include:

  • Depression
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
  • ADHD

When focusing on the wellbeing of an individual getting treatment for an addiction, diagnosing and treating underlying illnesses is essential

Using Alcohol To Socialize

How to Deal with a person with Addictive Personality ...

Socializing is one of the top reasons heavy drinkers give to explain their overindulgence in alcohol. A beer or a glass of wine can seem like a quick and easy way to lower inhibitions and have a laugh with friends. But all too easily, alcohol can become the only way to get along with people, leaving you feeling bored or anxious in situations where everyone is sober.

Healthy ways to meet this need: Instead of using alcohol to connect with others, connect through common interests or activities that you enjoy. When everyone around you is drinking, learn how to say no to alcohol and how to host a party without your guests getting drunk.

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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.

How To Get Help For Addiction

Though addiction is a life-long, chronic battle, Sachs says there are several ways to treat the condition. If you suspect a loved one might be struggling, offer help and encourage them to seek professional treatment, but avoid lecturing, using guilt, or arguing with them.;

Inpatient programs for substance abuse provide medical assistance, along with psychological help.

Also, numerous emotional support groups exist, such as;Narcotics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, Sex Addicts Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, and many more.;

Recommended Reading: Can You Get Addicted To Nicotine

Is There Such A Thing As An Addictive Personality

Are certain people more likely to develop addictions in their lifetime, including to alcohol or drugs? Is there a definitive addictive personality or a set of characteristics that all addicts share?

Difficulty dealing with physical or emotional pain, anxiety and depression are also commonly reported.But does science support the notion of an addictive personality? And if so, how can you minimise your risk of getting addicted or relapsing?

The Addictive Personality Isn’t What You Think It Is

Dealing With Addiction In Your Relationship | How To Deal With An Addicted Partner

In her new book Maia Szalavitz recalls her behavior as a child in school and at home. Anxious, bright and slightly obsessive, she didn’t seem to fit the stereotype of the addictive personality. Nevertheless, in college she would become addicted to heroin and cocaine, forcing her to reexamine her assumptions about addiction and its treatment. The following is an excerpt from Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction,

Although addiction was originally framed by both Alcoholics Anonymous and psychiatry as a form of antisocial personality or character disorder, research did not confirm this idea. Despite decades of attempts, no single addictive personality common to everyone with addictions has ever been found. If you have come to believe that you yourself or an addicted loved one, by nature of having addiction, has a defective or selfish personality, you have been misled. As George Koob, the director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, told me, What were finding is that the addictive personality, if you will, is multifaceted, says Koob. It doesnt really exist as an entity of its own.

It seems that the same regions that gave me my intense curiosity, obsessive focus, and ability to learn and memorize quickly also made me vulnerable to discovering potential bad habits and then rapidly getting locked into them.

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The Obsessive Compulsive Trait

Addiction sometimes has to do with a lack of impulse control, but this is not exclusively the inability to resist impulses. In fact, people who are too rigid with managing their impulses may also end up using substances as a manifestation of an obsessive-compulsive behavior pattern. In fact, addiction often becomes a compulsion to use the substance based on a habit that has formed over time rather than a single impulse to try something new.

In this way, people with intense focus and habitual behaviors may be as likely to develop addiction as those who are unable to control impulses. The obsession with using psychoactive drugs is a main symptom of the disorder, and it can exist both separate from and in concert with a lack of impulse control that can also be a hallmark of addiction.

What Is Addictive Personality Disorder

So what all does this entail? In layman terms it defines people who dont understand that too much of a good thing can be bad. Its having an out of control habit that you cannot say no to. Its those people who say, why have just one when you can have twenty? Its the line between use and abuse. And it affects 10%-15% of the population. These factors are biological and inheritable and not your fault.

Having an addictive personality doesnt necessarily mean that you are just addicted to drugs or other substances either. It can mean that you are addicted to cooking, and your obsession never lets you leave the kitchen. It can mean that you are addicted to shopping, and you slowly drain your bank account over the years as you buy more and more stuff. Or it can mean what people typically assume it means; youre addicted to drugs and you keep taking them and taking them until you destroy your life.

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Importance Of Being Able To Deal With Difficult People In Rehab

It may sound like an odd claim but the fact that there are difficult people in rehab can actually be considered a good thing. This is because the whole point of this facility is to act as a training environment so that people will be able to cope when they return to the real world. It is far easier to deal with such challenges in this type of facility because the individual will be in a protected and supportive environment. Unless people plan to go live in a cave after rehab there is no getting away from difficult people, and if they cannot deal with such individuals in while in treatment they will also struggle with this issue when they get home. Interpersonal relationships can be a real stumbling block for people in recovery so learning to deal with these problems during rehab gives the individual a real advantage for when they go home.

Overcoming Harmful Addictive Personality Traits

Mental health

If you are currently dealing with the effects of an addictive personality disorder, then you probably know that it can be very hard to break out of the grasp of this disorder. It can be extremely challenging to fight the urges of impulsivity, compulsive behaviors, depression, and anxiety. Overcoming these challenges is far from easy. But, that doesnt mean that its impossible!

Many people feel that its not possible to overcome addictive personality traits. They feel that, if you have this disorder, you will inevitably struggle with addiction and will, most likely, never break free from these problems. But, this is definitely not true. You can certainly become free from these issues through commitment, dedication, and professional treatment.

There are plenty of ways in which you can work to overcome the effects of addictive personality traits. Here are 5 of them:

  • Talk about it. Theres nothing like talking about your problems to someone who can offer you help and comfort. Sometimes, your family members or friends will misunderstand what youre going through. They may not understand the struggles youre facing. So, speaking to them will help you to feel less alone and isolated, which are two things people often feel when theyre dealing with an addictive personality disorder.

Also Check: How To Overcome Sugar Addiction

A Guide On How To Recognize The Signs

Not everyone with an addictive personality becomes an addict. Although, it does make repeated substance abuse more likely. Having an addictive personality is a common character trait that tends to run in families, much like an addiction. Or more specifically, alcoholism. While facing the ups and downs of chronic substance abuse, ignoring personality traits like this could lead to future relapse.

Becoming aware of tendencies that facilitate addictive behaviors often leads toward the exposure of an addictive personality. How to deal with an addictive personality is a major part of addiction treatment, typically coinciding with addictive personality treatment. So, how do you know if you have an addictive personality?;

First, youd have to receive an accurate diagnosis, and learn how to manage it moving forward. Recognizing the signs of an addictive personality is crucial. Here is our guide to answering your question: do I have an addictive personality?

  • Substance abuse; drugs and/or alcohol
  • Sex

The idea is that the behaviors harm the life of the individual. The harmful impact is what sets them apart. Because whats to say that an individual having an addictive personality wouldnt prefer an activity like yoga, or even fitness. Having these options available, especially during rehab for addiction, can ease into a healthier lifestyle. This is why, especially in recovery, professional treatment offers long-term solutions with individualized recovery models

How To Overcome An Addictive Personality

There isnt truly such a thing as an addictive personality, even though you may feel like you are more prone to addictive behavior. Nevertheless, you should still be aware of substance abuse triggers and cravings in order to keep yourself out of situations where the temptation to abuse substances may arise. Examples of potential triggers could be:

  • Special occasions;
  • Developing a strong support network that you can contact anytime;
  • Exercising regularly;
  • Working with a sponsor.;

If you feel like you need more help than youre able to achieve on your own, consider an inpatient or an outpatient rehab facility. If you cannot make it to in-person treatments, we also offer outpatient treatment via telehealth. That way, you can still receive treatment, regardless of your scheduling needs.

Recommended Reading: How Long Does It Take To Get Over Alcohol Addiction

Is It A Myth

Many addiction specialists and health professionals believe that addictive personalities are a myth. In part, this is because addiction is a complex issue that affects all kinds of people.;

Its just as possible for someone with a so-called addictive personality to avoid addiction as it is for someone without the addictive personality traits to become addicted to a substance. It all depends on their experiences and choices.

Furthermore, addiction is a brain disorder that has nothing to do with personality. Someone with a laid-back, easygoing personality has as great a risk of developing an addiction as someone with a high-strung personality. There is no evidence that a specific personality has a higher risk of addiction than another.

Despite no scientific evidence or support for the theory of an addictive personality, understanding the various things that increase a persons risk of addiction can make it easier to avoid a substance use disorder.

  • Antisocial personality disorder

What Are Addictive Behaviors

How To Overcome An Addictive Personality

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.

Recommended Reading: How Many Americans Suffer From Addiction

Enact Logicalconsequences For Impulsive Behavior

Illogicalpunishments too often cause children to rebel and fall into negative behavioralpatterns. Instead of lecturing or grounding your child for spending all theirallowance on one game, let them live withthe consequences of their behavior. Calmly explain thatmoney is a limited resource, and if they choose to misspend it, they will needto go without until the next pay period.;

Seek Addiction Treatment Early

If youve been assessed as having one or more addictions, then please consider addiction counselling or residential rehab treatment. The earlier you get professional help, the more likely you will achieve a solid and lasting recovery. This is particularly true for eating disorders, which are much harder to treat in advanced stages. With all addictions, the longer they are active, the more likely you or others will suffer harm.

UKAT offers fast access to rehab nationwide. We treat all substance and process addictions in our CQC-regulated clinics. Please get in touch for a confidential assessment and a range of treatment options.

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Do I Have An Addictive Personality

There are many factors that can contribute to having an addictive personality. One of the main aspects of addictive personalities that is widely agreed upon throughout the medical community is that it can be genetic. A study that compared 861 pairs of identical twins and 653 pairs of fraternal twins showed that identical twins were more likely to obtain an addiction up to 60 percent more than fraternal twins. Another study also revealed that children who have an immediate family member who struggles with an addiction are eight times more likely to develop an addiction themselves.

Another factor to consider is the state of ones mental health. If an individual deals with anxiety, depression or any kind of stress disorder, people may develop addictions to things that can increase their moods during the activity. For example, someone may experience a rush of excitement and happiness when they engage in sexual intercourse or a bit of gambling. Or those who are more nervous may become addicted to depressants that can calm their nerves and mind momentarily such as alcohol or marijuana.

The environment a person is accustomed to can also contribute to an addictive personality forming. Theres no way to exhibit any kind of addictive behavior if an individual isnt exposed to the addictive substance or actions to begin with. Therefore, the people a person surrounds themselves with can influence addictive behaviors to various substances or actions.

Kids And Addictive Behavior: The Setting

Addiction, Lies, and Manipulation

Children today have to deal with the ubiquitous availability of instant gratification. Unhealthy food is more accessible and cheaper than healthy food. This year in the United States, there are over 200,000 fast food restaurants;operating and sales in the snack food market reached $124 Billion.

Our children have access to rapidly-changing, sophisticated animation. Every iPhone or iPad offers instantaneous access to 2 million iOS Apps. Our television, social media and video games are on demand. We live in an instant gratification society. This environment is incredibly difficult for;children ;with addictive personalities.

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