What is an Addictive Personality?

Addiction and the fear of it can make you question everything. Was it inevitable? Are people born to become addicts?

There’s a lot of confusion over the term ‘addictive personality’, so we’re going to take a closer look at what it is, whether personality and addiction are linked and the signs that suggest you may need professional addiction treatment.

 

What Is an Addictive Personality?

Having an addictive personality is a term that is commonly thrown around to describe people who overindulge often. It is also used to describe people who are viewed as much more likely to develop an addiction to a substance, even with casual use.

You can’t currently be diagnosed with an addictive personality as there is no single personality type that guarantees addiction.

That being said, there are certain personality traits that, when combined with environmental, biological and psychological factors, could increase a person’s vulnerability to developing an addiction.

This may sound daunting, but it’s important to remember that addiction is not inevitable. We have free will, and you have the power to change your behaviour.

 

Is an Addictive Personality Actually Real?

Having an addictive personality is generally not accepted by researchers and the scientific community. Many view it as an unhelpful and simplistic view of addiction; others as a complete myth.

Addiction is instead a complex chronic illness that develops through multiple interacting factors that can be as varied as the people who suffer from it.

The NHS does not recognise the term addictive personality and instead defines addiction as “not having control over doing, taking or using something to the point where it could be harmful to you.”

When talking about addiction, researchers instead use the term “risk factors”, which points towards the range of elements that can increase the risk of addiction, rather than a single personality trait.

 

Common Traits of an Addictive Personality

Below are some possible addictive personality traits, rather than diagnostic criteria.

Impulsivity

Being impulsive means acting without thinking or considering the consequences of one’s actions. A study from 2018 found that higher levels of impulsive behaviours may leave a person more vulnerable to substance misuse.

Sensation Seeking

Some people are thrill seekers or crave new experiences. This chase for excitement can lead to experimentation, trying new things and pushing the envelope. This increases the risk of experimentation with substances, which can develop into an addiction.

People who struggle to control their emotions often also struggle with stress and anxiety. To cope and better regulate how they are feeling, they may use substances that can temporarily alleviate emotional pain.

Compulsive Tendencies

People with compulsive tendencies often engage in repetitive behaviour to alleviate anxiety and stress whilst aware that their actions are having negative consequences. Engaging in an addiction can become an ingrained routine that those who have compulsive tendencies struggle to break out of.

Low Self-Esteem or Emotional Vulnerability

Those with low self-esteem or who are emotionally distressed could be isolated, low on confidence and need a lift. People who feel this way may use substances to self-medicate, become more social or ease their emotional distress.

These feelings can make you more vulnerable to addiction as it impairs your thinking and offers an immediate escape from how you are feeling.

Risk-Taking Behaviour

Some people are naturally more comfortable taking risks. Using substances is a risk, so some will feel less nervous about trying them, pushing it beyond what others may and continuing to use them despite the risks.

People who take risks get the rush or high from engaging in that behaviour and may come to crave it, going back time and time again to the addictive behaviour to relive the intense experience.

 

What Causes Addiction If Not Personality Alone?

There is no single cause, but there are risk factors for addiction.

Genetics

Genetics can have a big influence on being predisposed to addiction. It is believed that genes account for around 50% of risk factors for addiction.

Because of this, family history is an important risk factor for addiction.

Brain Chemistry

When you engage in an addictive behaviour, you experience a rush of dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter. The more often you engage with your addiction, the more your brain wants that reward of the rush of dopamine.

This leads to a hijacking of the reward system where your brain can no longer produce enough dopamine naturally, so craves the flood of it that an addiction can provide. This leads you to take more and more to satisfy your compulsive need.

Environment

Beyond genetics, environment is a huge risk factor. If substances are easily available, you’re pressured to take them, or if you’re a child living in unstable circumstances, you’re much more likely to reach for a substance.

Those who live with trauma or with stress may also turn to substances if they are readily available to get a brief escape from their environment.

Connections to Mental Health

Addiction rarely has a single cause, but mental health issues can increase the risk. People with mental health issues may use substances to self-medicate, or these issues may contribute to traits that increase the chance of addiction, like compulsive tendencies, impulsivity and risk-taking behaviour.

Common mental issues linked to addiction include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• ADHD
• PTSD
• Bipolar disorder

 

Signs You May Be Developing Unhealthy Addictive Behaviours

Awareness is the enemy of addiction. If you are educated about the signs of a developing addiction, you have more time to change your behaviour before the situation worsens.

Potential warning signs of addiction include:

• Difficulty quitting
• Spending more time using/obtaining/thinking about addiction
• Cravings
• Neglecting responsibilities
• Problems maintaining relationships
• Becoming more secretive
• Continuing addictive behaviour despite negative consequences
• Increasing tolerance

If you are concerned about these signs, you should refer yourself to a medical or addiction professional where you can be assessed and get an official diagnosis.

 

Can You Reduce Your Risk of Addiction?

Having certain personality traits does not condemn you to addiction. They can only increase the risk, and there are plenty of things you can do in your life to mitigate them.

Ways to reduce your risk of addiction include:

• Knowing your triggers
• Stress management
• Building healthier coping strategies
• Eating well, staying hydrated, sleeping well and exercising regularly
• Maintaining supportive relationships
• Limiting exposure to high-risk situations that may trigger cravings
• Seek professional help early

 

Have Any Questions About Addictive Personality Disorder? Ask them Today

Having an addictive personality is an informal and largely inaccurate term. Many interacting factors influence addiction. Certain personality traits can raise your risk without guaranteeing addiction.

Becoming more educated about addiction and your potential susceptibility can help remove the stigma and fear from it, helping you to face it head-on.

If you are concerned about addictive behaviours, contact us at Addiction Advocates today for some professional support and advice.