Render illustration of “ADDICTIVE PERSONALITY” script on head silhouette, with cloudy sky as a background. Human mental concept.
Addiction is a sensitive subject for everyone. For those living with addiction, it often feels like an internal prison. For those who support loved ones, it is heartbreaking to see changes in personality before their eyes.
So here we answer the question, “what is an addictive personality?”, to make sure you spot the signs before it’s too late.
Spotting an Addiction
Many subtle traits highlight the early stages of addiction. Sadly the vast majority are invisible, except to the person suffering.
If that person is you, you’ll have to let your loved ones in. It isn’t easy. You’ll have to battle your thoughts and make every effort to compromise. But if you manage it, you will save your life. And if you’re a loved one, it will be challenging, but your honesty will go a long way.
Spotting an addiction as early as possible will make sure it doesn’t take over, so it’s essential to seek help.
What is an Addictive Personality
An addictive personality often comes from a very private place. Unless you are the person with the addiction, it can be challenging to spot. It’s crucial to approach addiction with caution. The presence of symptoms doesn’t mean addiction is there; only the potential for an addiction to develop.
If someone has a well-paid job but is financially struggling, they might have a private addiction such as gambling or sex. And just because someone goes out and drinks to excess doesn’t make the person addicted to it. Many alcoholics start from having a glass of wine every night, only for a traumatic event to trigger an increase.
Other symptoms include weight gain, weight loss, and unusual personality changes.
Mental Health and Addiction
Most recently, there has been a surge in the understanding of neurological disorders and addiction. One of the primary traits of ADHD is the constant struggle to focus. It is due to the improper regulation of dopamine in the brain. Sensory-seeking is a classic trait, and it’s common for people with ADHD to have atypical addictions such as overeating and other sensory addictions.
If you are aware of your addictive personality but don’t currently have an addiction, it’s fantastic that you have your life controlled in this manner. But it’s easy to become complacent and fall back into old behaviors.
With the right diagnosis and support, a combination of medication and treatment can help to alleviate the addictive tendencies before they become too dominant.
Preventing the Onset of Addiction
The best way to prevent bad addiction is to channel your addictive behavior into something productive. If you have very few life commitments, focusing on succeeding at work can be a great help. Similarly, if you have a family, use that addictive personality to bring out the happiness in everyone around you.
Another way is to make sure your finances are well controlled, and if you can, trust a loved one to look after them. That way, they can spot any warning signs of excessive spending before it’s too late to channel that addiction into something else.
Now you know the answer to “what is an addictive personality”, it’s time to put that knowledge to fair use and help yourself or those around you to pull through. Keep reading our articles for more health advice on addiction.