For a lot of people, drugs and alcohol do not factor into daily life. They do not think or care about it enough to use (or abuse) it. Unfortunately, for others, it is often all they can think about. Sometimes, their personality plays a big role in what often seems like an inevitable substance addiction.
The Traits of an Addictive Personality
When a person seems to have no limits or is always looking for their thrill, they are often described as having an addictive personality.
Having an addictive personality, or the traits of one, does not mean a person suffers from a disease or condition. It is also not possible to point to a single trait and blame it for a substance addiction.
Instead, an addictive personality is a term that describes a combination of health factors, inherent traits, and even environmental elements.
These include the following:
- Early exposure to addictive substances
- Reluctance to accept responsibility
- An increase in risk-taking habits
- No discernible self-regulation
- Impulsive behaviour
- Undiagnosed depression or anxiety
- Thrill-seeking
- ADHD diagnosis
Notably, people with one or more of these traits will not automatically become addicted to drugs and alcohol. Genetics, decisions, and other factors all come into play when addictive behaviours emerge.
However, having these traits does make an individual more vulnerable to falling prey to substance addiction.
Factors That Increase Vulnerability to Addiction
Some traits are inescapable, especially when they are genetic. There is substantial proof that drug and alcohol use disorders run in families. The risk of addiction is passed on from a parent to their child.
For the majority of people with a close family member who has a substance use disorder, this means taking extra precautions when it comes to substance addiction. Scientists have found that a person’s genetics equal between 40% and 60% of their overall addiction risk.
That said, there is no single genetic change that causes addiction. As mentioned, substance abuse is influenced by multiple factors.
Why Drugs and Alcohol?
These factors also include brain chemistry. People already prone to addiction may have notable differences in their brain’s reward system, in particular, the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine promotes feelings of pleasure, motivation, and satisfaction.
When people do something that is pleasurable, their brains release a large amount of dopamine. This makes them feel so good that they need more. This is also mainly why sugar and junk food can become addictive.
Unfortunately, drugs and alcohol can also flood the brain with dopamine, though artificially. This creates a ‘high’ that can be very attractive, especially to those who already have addictive personality traits.
The Impact of Mental Health on Addiction
Moreover, drugs and alcohol also become alluring when an individual suffers from mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and even PTSD. In an attempt to get away from the negative emotions that these conditions bring, some overdo it with substances and eventually become addicted.
Sometimes, these mental health issues stem from a person’s childhood. They may have suffered trauma or have been neglected by their primary caregivers. Trauma, neglect, and overexposure to substance abuse at a young age have been shown to increase vulnerability to addiction.
The Often-Irresistible Allure of Drugs and Alcohol
Beyond biological and environmental factors, other characteristics of addictive personalities also contribute to the appeal of drugs and alcohol.
For people who struggle to cope with stressful situations, grief, or painful memories, an escape into numbing substances can be incredibly alluring.
It is especially attractive to people who cannot replicate dopamine-based feelings by engaging in healthier activities.
Moreover, individuals who feel left out or on the outskirts of social circles may engage in substance use to fit in. For those with addictive personality traits, partaking in drugs and alcohol socially gives them the sense of belonging and acceptance they crave.
These social gatherings may also include thrill-seeking and adventures in the form of drinking games and other substance-based activities. People with addictive personalities often exhibit a high degree of impulsivity and attention- or sensation-seeking. This trait may help encourage them to participate in dangerous substance use because it creates a sense of excitement.
In some instances, low self-esteem and self-doubt play into addictive personality traits. Feeling insecure, especially in a social group, can lead someone to seek validation through the use of drugs and alcohol.
Statistics to Remember
One must keep in mind that not everyone with an addictive personality will experience addiction. In the U.S. alone, more than 20 million people struggle with a substance abuse disorder, which excludes tobacco.
A U.S. survey from 2022 showed that nearly 47 million Americans over the age of twelve had battled a substance use disorder over the past 12 months. Around 10.5% of Americans had an alcohol use disorder over the past year, while just more than 27.2 million Americans suffered a drug use disorder over the last 12 months. Also, in 2022, more than 8 million Americans struggled with both drug and alcohol use disorders.
Still, only a portion of the population with an addictive personality will develop a full-blown addiction, as described in this survey.
Breaking the Cycle
Even though addictive personalities mean that individuals may face a higher challenge in avoiding or overcoming addiction, recovery is possible.
If you have inherent addictive personality traits, equip yourself to recognize triggers associated with your specific personality. This will help you develop healthy coping mechanisms or avoid risky situations and social settings.
Get the Specific Professional Help You Need at HARP Rehab
The qualified clinical team at HARP can help you establish which of your addictive personality traits is most likely to fuel a substance addiction.
If you are finding it extremely challenging to avoid using drugs and alcohol, this highly professional team can guide you on the path to recovery from beginning to end.
You will have doctors, nurses, and psychologists on standby as you work through the successful 5i curriculum for addiction recovery. At the same time, you will have access to the outdoors and opportunities to engage in mindful activities like meditation and yoga. You will also stay in contact with your family as you work on finding the problems that may hinder your recovery.
To get the help you need on your road to sobriety, call HARP today or visit our alcohol treatment and drug treatment page for more information.
