Alcoholism - Part V

People with addictive personalities typically switch from one addiction to the next. These
individuals may show impulsive behavior such as excessive caffeine consumption,
Internet use, eating chocolate or other sugar-laden foods, television watching, or even
running.
Extraversion, self-monitoring, and loneliness are also common characteristics found in
those who suffer from addiction. Individuals who score high on self-monitoring are more
prone to developing an addiction. High self-monitors are sensitive to social
situations; they act how they think others expect them to act. They wish to fit in, hence
they are very easily influenced by others. Likewise, those who have low self-esteem
also seek peer approval; therefore, they participate in "attractive" activities such as
smoking or drinking to try to fit in.
People with addictive personalities find it difficult to manage their stress levels. In fact,
lack of stress tolerance is a telltale sign of the disorder. They find it difficult to face
stressful situations and fight hard to get out of such conditions. Long-term goals prove
difficult to achieve because people with addictive personalities usually focus on the
stress that comes with getting through the short-term goals. Such personalities will often
switch to other enjoyable activities the moment that they are deprived of enjoyment in
their previous addiction.
Addictive individuals feel highly insecure when it comes to relationships. They may often
find it difficult to make commitments in relationships or trust their beloved because of
the difficulty they find in achieving long-term goals. They constantly seek approval of
others and as a result, these misunderstandings may contribute to the destruction of
relationships. People suffering from addictive personality disorder usually
undergo depression and anxiety, managing their emotions by developing addiction to
alcohol, other types of drugs, or other pleasurable activities.
An addict is more prone to depression, anxiety, and anger. Both the addict's
environment, genetics and biological tendency contribute to their addiction. People with
very severe personality disorders are more likely to become addicts. Addictive
substances usually stop primary and secondary neuroses, meaning people with
personality disorders like the relief from their pain.
Personality Traits and Addiction
Addiction is defined by scholars as “a reliance on a substance or behavior that the
individual has little power to resist.” Substance-based addictions are those based upon
the release of dopamine in the brain, upon which the range of sensations produced by
the euphoric event in the brain changes the brain’s immediate behavior, causing more
susceptibility for future addictions. Behavior-based addictions, on the other hand, are
those that are not linked to neurological behavior as much and are thus thought to be
linked to personality traits; it is this type of addiction that combines a behavior with a
mental state and the repeated routine is therefore associated with the mental state.
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