3 Signs You May Have An Addictive Personality

Detail oriented, perfectionist or is it much more than that? Do you or someone you know have an addictive personality?

According to a recent article from the New York time there are specific traits that indicate that a person has an addictive personality. This can include those with addictive personalities that are hooked on drugs and alcohol as well as other addiction problems like gambling, sex and video games. This can even branch out to things like work or hobbies or even keeping the house clean.

Breaking it down it not only is about that the person is addicted to but their personality traits in general. Research has found that there are ‘significant personality factors’ that contribute to this.

What Are The Signs

Having an addictive personality does not include things like staying up late to get something done, always keeping your things organized or keeping yourself well groomed. It branches out to much more than that and is an obsessive need to do something and not be able to stop.

Some common traits of addictive personalities are:

1. The inability to stop doing something that is bad for you. This can including being with the wrong person or even something like drug or alcohol use. It’s not being able to stop despite the negative consequences that the behavior causes.

One example of this could be a heavy drinker who continues to abuse alcohol even after he or she gets a DUI, loses their license etc.

2. Disregard for those around you. Often when someone is an addictive personality they will make decisions and take actions only on their own interests or fixations. They will not consider their behavior or decisions and how they affect others.

This could be true in the example of the cocaine addict who leaves his family, using the drug for days. The result of his behavior is that he is unable [and unwilling] to work and provide for the family.

3. Denial that the behavior is negative or bad. In many instances an addictive personality will deny what they are doing is wrong or bad. However the truth is that some actually do believe that this is true. In some way the person made the decision to take part in the behavior and thinks that it helps them in some way.

This can happen with a food addict who feels that they have to eat to feel better. Even if the food they are eating is killing them by causing obesity and health problems because of it, they still may think that there is some value in it.

Why Does Someone Develop An Addictive Personality

According to some studies done on the subject stress can be a major contributor to an addictive personality. This stress can be a result of the environment but more importantly those in it surrounding the individual.

In addition one can start behaving impulsively if they get fixed on one or a few different things and are unable to redirect their attention.

In some instances like drugs as well as sex one will develop the problem because they want instant gratification. Things like sex and drugs will provide this for them. And when the actions or substances work once the individual will do them over and over again for the same feeling.

Feelings of depression, anxiety and anger are also common with addictive personalities. Most are prone to not only one addiction but will have several different ‘vices’ of which each will only grow more severe without some type of professional help.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/1983/01/18/science/the-addictive-personality-common-traits-are-found.html?pagewanted=all

How To Find Help For A Drug Addiction Problem

If you look to your family friends, including your extended family and acquaintances, chances are there is someone among them who is struggling with drug abuse or alcoholism. This can be difficult to watch, and even more difficult to confront. However hard it may seem, you cannot sit by and watch a person destroy their life. Do the necessary research you need to feel confident on how to approach a drug addict to get help, and act fast.

That’s easy enough said but how? Where do you start and how do you even approach an addict about getting help?

The Consequences of Substance Abuse Are Everywhere

Even if you are not a drug abuser or an alcoholic yourself, you cannot deny that the consequences of such substance abuse are everywhere in America and across the globe. You seen signs of early drug use amongst children and teens in high school, violence and drug-related crime in all neighborhoods, not just the “bad parts of town”, and indications of prescription drug addiction in the industrial sector.

Some shocking facts to consider:

-Up to 60% of violent crimes (such as rape, murder and child abuse) are attributed to excessive alcohol consumption.

-Over 50% of American prison inmates currently serving sentences for serious felonies admit that they were under the influence of (or tested positive for) drugs and/or alcohol.

-Nearly half of American traffic accidents and fatalities are substance abuse or alcohol-related.

Drug and alcohol-related deaths have more than doubled in the past two decades, and illegal drug use now claims thousands of lives each year. A staggering 95% of untreated addicts die from their condition. Although you may not feel that this rampant public health issue is relevant to you, rest assured: it most definitely is.

Important Points Finding Help

Sadly, untreated addiction to drugs and alcohol only has one possible end: fatality.

Substance abuse is America’s most powerful, insidious and dangerous public health issue to-date. Through the effects of physical (cellular-level) dependency, even the most unsuspecting individuals can find themselves completely wrapped up in an addiction to prescription painkillers, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, etc. Not unlike a carousel ride, a habitual substance abuser will go around in circles battling the physical and mental dependency that has formed until effective treatment is allowed to intervene.

In finding help, remember these few key points:

1. Ask Those You Know – Even though it may be embarrassing many people deal with addiction whether themselves or with a family member or friend. If you know someone who has recovered from the problem talk to them about what types of treatment and approaches are most successful.                  
2. Take Advantage Of Resources – There are many different drug rehabilitation consulting groups over the Internet that can lead you in the right direction to finding help. Most have worked with several hundred different facilities and can tell you what centers get the highest success rates for rehabilitation from drugs or alcohol.
3.  Use The Internet – Read over various Internet sites and types of programs. Learn about treatment and the different types available. Read reviews, client testimonials and even updates from local enforcement and substance abuse groups on different treatment programs.
4. Don’t Give Up – In many instances a drug addict will say that they are not interested help or going into a facility. Solicit the help of friends and family members to get the person to agree to get help. Hire professional interventionists if necessary.
5. Set a good example and be a positive, drug and alcohol-free role model for your loved one. If you are trying to talk your friend out of drinking heavily, yet you were at a party last night doing the same thing, your conversation is less likely to go smoothly. Don’t accuse or get angry. Continue to try to help.

 Become competent and confident in the principles concerning how to approach a drug addict to get help. Doing so may be hard, but watching them die will be much harder. Get involved and lend your support to programs that promote drug free living.