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Addictive Personality – Definition, Traits, and Myths

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The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is the American Psychiatric Association’s guide for identifying mental health disorders, and there is presently no formal diagnosis for an addictive personality.

Addictive Personality -Definition, Traits, and Myths

Others believe that early trauma is more likely to lead to substance abuse. According to several studies, those at high risk for addiction have features including being impulsive and taking risks.

Causes of Addiction

There are several types of addiction. It is common for persons who are addicted to drugs or alcohol to engage in activities that are difficult or impossible to cease. Addiction has both hereditary and brain-based causes. It’s been shown that those who are predisposed to addiction have cognitive problems, notably in the area of the brain that gets fixated on the addiction.

Addiction may be classified as either a behavioural problem or a chemical one, according to certain studies. Chemical addiction is another name for substance abuse. Addiction to alcohol, illicit drugs, prescription medications, and other substances falls under this category.

Addiction to behaviour is often referred to as an “activity” addiction. Gambling, video game playing, sports and physical activity, sexual addiction, and excessive labour are just a few examples of what may fall under this category. Passive behaviours such as watching television might lead to a behavioural addiction.

Addictive Personality Misconceptions

Those who feel that the idea of an addictive personality is untrue to suggest that it may possibly be a result of addiction, rather than the cause of it. Genetic and biological variables are more likely to be the root cause, as shown by these studies.

In the minds of other scientists, the concept of an addictive personality makes a lot of sense. explains why certain individuals are more susceptible to addiction and why people might get hooked on various things (what is known as cross-addiction).

You Can’t Blame Your Addiction on Your Character: There is no scientific or empirical evidence to support the idea that some personality types are more prone to addiction than others. According to several experts in the field of addiction, a person with an addictive personality is more likely to get addicted.

Addiction Characteristics: A person’s addictive personality isn’t defined, but there are some characteristics and triggers that are common among those at high risk for addiction. Among them are:

Those who are more impulsive and risk-averse are at a greater risk of developing substance abuse disorders.
Genetics: a factor Genetic variables have a role in up to 40% to 60% of a person’s risk of being addicted. Addictions like alcoholism, cigarette smoking, chronic opiate usage, and cocaine reliance may all be traced back to a person’s genetic makeup. Understanding how certain genes are active while others are not is the focus of the field of epigenetics. A person’s genetic predisposition to addiction may grow when environmental forces combine with their genetic sensitivity during key developmental phases.
It’s more common for those who have suffered terrible experiences, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or adversity in their lives to become addicted.

Identifying One’s Addiction and Seeking Assistance

Addiction is a condition that can be cured, despite the fact that it is difficult to diagnose. To find the most effective treatments, it is essential that each patient’s unique circumstances be taken into consideration. Behavioral treatments, including as individual, group, and family therapy, have been shown in studies to be most successful when used in conjunction with addiction treatment.

For self: Acknowledging that you have a problem and seeking treatment is a bold and essential first step. Many options exist for getting assistance:

Don’t hesitate to get help for your addiction.
Look for a therapist or counsellor who specialises in addictions.
Make contact with people who can be a sounding board.
Take up a new activity or interest while working to overcome your addiction. Never lose sight of the fact that you are much more than your addiction.
Stay in the hospital for as long as you can. At least three months of therapy is required for most people to quit or minimise their use of drugs, according to research.

For a Third Party: Even though it is evident to everyone around them that a person has an addiction, they may choose not to seek assistance. As a friend, family member, or partner of someone who is battling an addiction, you must also take care of yourself. Friends and family members who have been affected by the addiction of a loved one may seek help from a variety of organisations, including 12-step programmes.

Overcoming Stigma About Addictive Personality

Addiction is still stigmatised, despite the fact that evidence-based medicine has shown that addiction is a complex, brain-based illness. Addiction is thought to be a result of moral weakness or character faults, which is based on an old idea.

As a result of the negative connotations associated with addiction, those who suffer from it may find it difficult, if not impossible, to seek treatment. Acknowledge the role that hereditary and brain-based vulnerabilities play in an individual’s likelihood of developing a substance abuse disorder. Finding doctors and therapists that specialise in addiction treatment may be useful.

Key Points

The debate about whether someone’s personality makes them more prone to addiction is common among professionals in the field of addiction. Addiction is not a personality disorder, according to research. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is the American Psychiatric Association’s guide for identifying mental disorders. Addiction is a condition that can be cured, despite the fact that it is difficult to diagnose. Those who are more impulsive and risk-averse are at a greater risk of developing substance abuse disorders.

Addictions like cigarette smoking, chronic opiate usage, and cocaine reliance may all be traced back to a person’s genetic makeup. At least three months of therapy is required for most people to quit or minimise their use of drugs, according to research. Addiction is still stigmatised, despite the fact that it is a brain-based illness. Finding doctors and therapists that specialise in addiction treatment may be useful.

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Addictive Personality – Definition, Traits, and Myths