The term “addictive personality” is not so much a psychiatric diagnosis as it is a description of how a person’s brain is wired. This is what can cause you to have behaviors that are compulsive and self-destructive in nature. An addictive personality is a common trait among those who are dependent on drugs or alcohol. Knowing some of the warning signs of this type of personality may help you overcome urges that could lead to a lack of success in your steps to alcohol or drug rehabilitation.
Coastal Detox, located in Stuart, Florida, is can work with you through the process of detoxification and the potential recurrence scenarios that you may face. Our staff of medical doctors, nurses, therapists, and the entire team of experienced specialists will follow you as you progress.
Our use of various treatments combines medical detox with holistic treatment therapies and clinical counseling. Each client has an individualized treatment program. Our program, in combination with our private, safe, comfortable facility, will put you on the path to a successful recovery from your addiction and bring self-awareness to the triggers in your everyday life.
The addictive personality traits that cause someone to be more apt to repeat behaviors or actions which lead to drug or alcohol addiction can include:
1. Narcissistic Behavior
The definition of a narcissist is someone who is self-centered and lacking empathy. If you have an addictive personality, narcissism can be rampant. The need to fulfill the requirements of the drug or alcohol addiction is so overwhelming that it can be the sole focus of your everyday life.
There is no regard for the feelings of family and friends around you who may be attempting to steer you towards a path of better choices and away from the drug or alcohol addiction that has taken over your life. You may feel that if the choice to become sober isn’t your idea, then it’s a bad idea.
2. Risk-Taking Actions
Those who have an addictive personality are not afraid to push life to its limits and take extreme risks in many situations. There is also no regard for the end result of that risk-taking, which can potentially lead to a disastrous outcome.
You may have trouble controlling your impulses due to the psychological thrill of trying new things and enjoying the energy that is felt as a result. This thrill-seeking personality can lead to becoming addicted to alcohol or drugs. Examples of risk-taking behaviors may include:
- Substance abuse
- Driving under the influence
- Criminal acts such as stealing
- Speeding with no regard to those around you
3. Obsessive/Compulsive Behavior
A person who focuses and thrives on routine is prone to having an addictive personality. If you react by trying to “fix” your obsessive/compulsive behavior, you may find yourself using drugs or alcohol to lessen those urges.
This addiction then becomes a habit and a part of your overall obsessive/compulsive issues. Coastal Detox offers group and individual therapy, as well as holistic therapy treatment options that aim to diagnose and manage these behaviors.
4. Mental Health Disorders
Someone with an addictive personality may have a pre-existing mental health condition that compounds the situation. If you are struggling with the state of your mental health, you are more susceptible to being lured into the world of drug and alcohol addiction. Substance abuse is an attempt to mask and self medicate the underlying issues of your mental well-being.
Examples of mental health conditions that may be affected include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Schizophrenia
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
5. A Tendency to Self-Medicate
An addictive personality can be an added burden for someone who feels that they are not able to uphold the everyday responsibilities in their life. Self-medication in the form of indulging in drugs or alcohol is oftentimes what you may feel is a cure-all.
The desire to remove yourself from feelings of having low self-esteem, having problems with your finances or feelings of anxiety or depression creates the need to find a way to escape. You may turn to drugs or alcohol in order to escape. The addictive personality causes the addiction to the drug or alcohol to become reinforced, and the pattern repeats.
6. Lying
Avoiding the truth and building on each lie that is told is something very common with those who have an addictive personality. At some point, the line between the exaggerated truth and the simple truth is so blurred that even you begin to believe your own lies. It is easier for you to convince yourself that you do not have an addiction to drugs or alcohol in order for you to be able to persuade those around you that life is better than what it appears.
The lies continue to build, creating a pattern of behavior that is hard for you to break. This addictive behavior may even manifest and place you in the world of becoming a pathological liar.
7. Manipulative Behavior
The intense need to maintain the euphoric feeling, or high, induced by alcohol or drugs can cause you to manipulate those around you. This manipulative behavior will cause you to say or do things out of the ordinary in order to achieve whatever your desired end result may be.
An addictive personality can foster that manipulative behavior and cause many issues. Manipulation can take place in various ways such as emotional manipulation, physical manipulation, or psychological manipulation.
8. Genetic Makeup
Some scientific studies show that your genetic makeup may cause you to be more impulsive than others. This can lead you to have addictive personality tendencies. Studies have also shown that if you have a close family member who struggles with an addiction that your chance of forming an addictive habit increases as well.
Research confirms that twins born to drug-addicted parents, but adopted by families with no addiction have a fifty percent chance of becoming addicts themselves. Your genetic makeup, along with your surrounding environment or lifestyle, is a strong influence that aids in the solidity of an addictive personality.
9. Inability to “Self Regulate”
The inability to maintain a balance in your life involving everything from your emotions, behaviors, and feelings creates an overall lack of self-control. In this circumstance, there is no sense of feeling the need to keep yourself in check.
An addictive personality pushes this lack of self-control over the edge. The result is a continuous need to push the limits and boundaries of many aspects of life. You are always looking to obtain the next best thing, or feel a more intense high, or challenge yourself in other behaviors that can then develop into an addiction.
10. An Inability Or Lack of Desire to Quit
An addictive personality can cloud your ability to make a clear, conscious decision to stop using drugs or alcohol. Excuses are made as to why you believe you don’t suffer from an addiction to drugs or alcohol. You may break the promises you made to yourself and those around you; thus, the destructive behavior continues.
This all happens at the expense of your family and friends who are your support system. The strong urge to continue using the substance overrides the attempt to quit, and without that desire, nothing can change.
11. Lack of Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is an important quality and a necessity in order to function and be a contributing member of today’s society. A lack of self-esteem can manifest an addictive personality that can be easily swayed and can foster a dependency on drugs or alcohol.
This addiction becomes a result of simply trying to overcome a lack of confidence in yourself. The tendency to overindulge in a substance that overrides your feeling of a low sense of self-esteem or lack of self-worth then escalates.
What Does Coastal Detox Offer?
If you’ve been struggling with the effects of an addictive personality, there’s no time like the present to seek help. It’s important to identify and address these characteristics. Doing so can either prevent addiction from developing or help bring an end to substance abuse in your life.
Coastal Detox offers our clients a residential setting with the option of individual and group therapy. We match the best treatment plan to help you move forward and increase your chance of recovery success.
Our recovery management plan works to allow us to maintain a long-term relationship with you. Contact us for more information about how we can help you. We’d love to assist you in taking the necessary steps so you can regain control of your life. Please reach out to us today and begin your journey to freedom!