Ever notice how some people just dive into certain activities with gusto, unable to resist or keep to certain limits? Maybe you’ve heard the term “addictive personality” to describe those who are constantly on the lookout for more, more, more. But is this idea backed by science? Can someone really have an addictive personality?
Addictive Personality is a Myth
Within the field of addiction and mental health treatment, after decades of study, it is now widely accepted that the addictive personality does not exist. Addiction knows virtually no boundaries, affecting people of all races, nationalities, creeds, ages, classes, and personalities. A person’s predisposition to using and abusing certain substances involves a complex mixture of psychological, environmental, social, familial, and biological factors.
Why the Addictive Personality Myth Is Not Helpful
While the idea of an addictive personality might seem helpful when it comes to avoiding or preventing addictive behavior, reducing addiction in all its complexity to a two-word phrase can be problematic for a couple of reasons.
First, it can lead people to wrongly believe they aren’t at risk because they don’t fit the personality profile of an addict. At the same time, it might cause those who are addicted to believe that recovery is not for them, since being an addict is such an overwhelming part of their personality.
Common Characteristics of Addiction
An addictive personality is not a medically recognized disease or condition. However, there do exist a handful of personality traits that are common among those living with addiction. Understanding these traits and how they influence—and are influenced by—addiction can help in prevention efforts and the development of individualized addiction treatment approaches. These common characteristics of addiction include:
- Adventurous, risky, or thrill-seeking behavior
- Comfort with secrets or lying
- Desire for immediate gratification
- Difficulty in accepting responsibility
- Difficulty with self-regulation
- Impulsivity
- Neuroticism or high levels of sensitivity or nervousness
- Low self-esteem
- Lack of personal goals
- Mood swings or irritability
- Social isolation or lack of strong friendships
Of course, the relationship between these traits and addiction is complex, involving a mix of genetic predisposition, personal choices, environment, and other factors.
Common Risk Factors for Addiction
Medical experts have pinpointed several common risk factors that might increase someone’s vulnerability to addiction:
- Childhood experiences. Growing up with parents who may have been abusive, neglectful, or less involved can heighten the likelihood of substance abuse and addiction later on in life. Experiencing traumatic events in childhood can also lead to an increased tendency to start using drugs or alcohol at an earlier age.
- Genetic predisposition. Genetics are thought to contribute to roughly 40 to 60 percent of a person’s susceptibility to addiction.
- Age. While addiction knows no age boundaries, adolescents tend to face a higher risk of drug misuse and addiction compared to adults.
- Environmental factors. If you were exposed to drug or alcohol misuse within your family or community while growing up, you might be more inclined to use these substances yourself.
- Early exposure. Whether at school or at home, early exposure to substances can raise the risk of developing an addiction. Easy access to drugs and alcohol can also increase one’s vulnerability.
Common Mental Health Disorders that Co-Occur with Addiction
In addition to recognizing some of the more common characteristics and risk factors for addition, it’s also important to recognize that many people facing addiction also live with common mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
These conditions intertwine with addiction in complex ways, sometimes triggering or intensifying the mental health symptoms while offering an escape from them. This This intersection of mental health and addiction is known as “dual diagnosis” or “co-occurring disorders.”
Understanding the connection between addictive tendencies and dual diagnosis is essential for those dealing with concerns around their mental health and addiction risks. By acknowledging and embracing one’s inclinations towards addiction, people can take steps to mitigate the risks.
Meanwhile, there do exist similarities between addictive tendencies and obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD. However, one should distinguish between them. Addiction involves impulsivity and difficulty with self-regulation. OCD, on the other hand, is a mental health disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts and subsequent repetitive behaviors aimed at alleviating distress. Yes, addiction and OCD both involve repetitive actions, but their motivations and impacts differ in important ways.
Treatment for Addiction
When someone faces addiction, it’s crucial to offer them a compassionate and comprehensive treatment program that caters to their unique needs. Northpoint Recovery offers just such a program. This personalized approach is essential for fostering long-term success in their journey to recovery. Our programs encompass a range of supportive measures, including detox, individual and group counseling, family therapy, and peer support.
For those dealing with co-occurring mental health disorders, it’s especially important to address both the addiction and any underlying mental health issues at the same time. This ensures a more holistic path towards healing and overall wellness.
Get Help for Your Addiction with Northpoint Recovery
Substance use, alcohol use, and mental health disorders are very common and very treatable. Prompt treatment with therapy or medication can help you restore your relationships and even save your life.
Want to understand addiction better? Consult the team at Northpoint Recovery. We’re your source for professional advice on addiction and co-occurring mental health disorder treatment options. With our help, you can access effective, individualized treatment while working toward lifelong sobriety. Call us today at 888.296.8976. We’re also available through our online message form.