What is an addictive personality? Risk factors and myths

The idea of having an addictive personality brings up images of drug addicts and alcoholics, actors, and rock stars with unfortunate, outrageous behavior. But why do certain people develop an addiction to certain things while others don’t? There is a myth that some people have a personality type that increases their risk of addiction. There are a lot of factors that can increase your risk of addiction, but there’s no specific personality type that causes people to develop an addiction.

While best known for its role in processing fear, the almond-shaped amygdala is also involved in a variety of other emotions, including positive ones. The relevant areas of the brain include the prefrontal cortex , which imagines possible futures and plans and makes decisions accordingly. The PFC works in concert with the nucleus accumbens , the region famed as the brain’s “pleasure or reward” center. This area is involved in determining the desirability of particular options and how much you want to seek or avoid them. Another region related to reward and motivation, the ventral pallidum, is also part of this brain system, as is the habenula, which seems to be involved primarily in aversion and disliking. Obsessiveness like this, however, also involves impaired self-regulation—in this case, at the other end of the spectrum.

How to Help Someone With an Addictive Personality

An addictive personality isn’t a personality type, per se, but is more of a brain disorder. People who are excessively dependent on something have the reward centers of their brain rewired to induce a strong need for that thing. Addictive personalities are often a symptom of a more serious underlying issue, such as anxiety or depression. Behavioral Health Centers can help you find balance in your life.

In all reality, anyone could have an addictive personality, not just people with obvious addictions. This addictive tendency can depend on personality type, environment, and even genetic factors. The term “addictive personality” refers to someone who has a natural tendency to develop addictions. It is not an official medical diagnosis, and many experts oppose the idea. At Foundations Wellness Center, our goal is to help clients and their families start on the road to addiction recovery and a healthy, sober life.

For additional help & support with your concerns

Then again, many of the same psychiatric problems were also seen in the adolescents who rejected the idea of drinking and drugs entirely. Not using drugs may well have been a wise choice for these youth— but good decisions aren’t always made for healthy reasons. Conducted by psychologists Jonathan Shedler and Jack Block, then at the University of California, the research was published in 1990 and its main finding generated much controversy. In this study, occasional teen drinking and marijuana use was normal adolescent behavior. However, while it was common, it was typically not problematic. Revolving Relationships – The traits of someone with an addictive personality can contribute to failed relationships.

No major health organization recognizes addictive personality as a medical diagnosis. This includes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Critics of the term addictive personality suggest that the concept of an addictive personality is a harmful myth that contributes to mental health stigma. People with addictive personalities find it difficult to manage their stress levels. In fact, lack of stress tolerance is a telltale sign of the disorder. They find it difficult to face stressful situations and fight hard to get out of such conditions.

Non-Substance Use Addictive Behaviors

The reality is that substance use disorder is a disease that can affect anyone, regardless of their personality. Not everyone who struggles with addiction shares the same personality traits. Fundamentally, the idea of a general addictive personality is a myth. Research finds no universal character traits that are common to all addicted people.

People can have a compulsive disorder and an addiction at the same time. The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines addiction as a chronic, relapsing disorder, which means it can come and go over long periods. To an observer, it may look like relapses occur due to someone’s personality when these 5 medications for alcoholism can help you control your drinking in truth, they are a part of the illness. Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Personality Disorders and Addiction

People all over the world are dealing with what is known as an addictive personality disorder. There’s a longstanding myth that some people simply have an addictive personality — a personality type that increases their risk for addiction. Most addiction research today states that there is no one personality that is more likely to develop an addiction than another.

Impulsive Behavior –Impulsive behaviormeans acting out without thinking about the impact of your actions. Although most everyone has poor judgment at times, a person who regularly engages in this type of behavior may have overall impulsive tendencies, which can be indicative of an addictive personality. Studies that looked at the brains of people with addictions found they’re more likely to make snap decisions without considering the long-term consequences. There’s no medical test to determine who may develop an addiction, but there are certainpersonality traitsthat can make someone more prone to developing an addiction.

The simple act of doing something dangerous and impulsive supplies that rush of dopamine that makes the person feel pleasure. Impulsive Behavior – Acting out without thinking about the effect of your actions is impulsive behavior. Most people do have bad judgment at times but people who regularly present this type of behavior are showing impulsive behavior. Studies that examined the brains of addicts found that they are more likely to make quick decisions without thinking about the long-term aftermath. Continuing Despite Negative Results – Bad outcomes could be anything from criminal behavior, not being to stay in a personal relationship, or unfaithfulness. The addictive personality overcomes the desire to stop causing negative results.

• This is so even when it negatively affects personal and professional relationships, jobs, and self-image.
• The following factors are believed to influence addiction susceptibility.
• Being aware of these behaviors and looking for healthier ways to cope may be more helpful than considering personality traits.
• First, the person with an addiction may lie to themselves about having an addiction; as a result, they might also have to lie to everyone else around them as well.
• Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Addiction is a complicated brain condition that can affect anyone, regardless of their personality type. Growing up with neglectful or uninvolved parents can increase someone’s risk for drug misuse and addiction. At how to safely detox from alcohol at home 7 tips first glance, the concept of an addictive personality might seem like a good tool for preventing addiction. Find Addiction Rehabs is not a medical provider or treatment facility and does not provide medical advice.

What is an addictive personality?

Sometimes, people who struggle with addictive personalities may struggle with anxiety or depression. Both of these are mental health disorders that affect a person’s 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. Understanding therisk factors for addictionis considered more complicated than recognizing certain personality traits.

They might lie or make up stories to get money or even pretend to be in love to get someone to take them out to the bars. In the same way, a person with an addictive personality will play the manipulation card for their own benefit. You’ll also have access to holistic therapies for a rounded and whole-body approach to addiction recovery. So, it’s extremely important for those who struggle with an addictive personality to get help right away. If you know or suspect that you have an addictive personality, it makes complete sense that you would want to know how to prevent yourself from developing addictions.

This occurs when a person does not develop a secure attachment with their main parental figure during childhood, which then affects their relationships and ways of coping with adversity throughout life. It may be tempting to attribute addiction to someone’s personality as a way of understanding why they have it. adhd and alcohol use Pain, trauma, and difficulty sleeping are some of the psychological problems that people commonly try to treat with drugs. It doesn’t help that every one of these problems has at least one medication that claims to cure the problem. If you depend on them, you will very likely becomeaddicted to the medication.