According to a report recently released by the surgeon general, 1 out of every 7 people is expected to struggle with health-threatening addiction in their lives. If you’re somebody who has a personality in which addiction thrives, those odds are even greater.
An “addictive personality” is a term that gets thrown around a lot in both casual and formal settings. But what exactly does an additive personality mean?
Answers to that question are as far ranging as the number of addictions one can fall victim to. For the purpose of this article, however, we’re going to define an addictive personality with a series of traits.
These traits, when found in a person isolated or in conjunction with one another, put people at a much higher risk of partaking in risky behaviors habitually. These behaviors can adversely affect their health, life, and relationships.
1. A Tendency Towards Rebellion
People who are staunch non-conformists find themselves in situations that are risky more frequently than “fall in line” types. This stems from the fact that the mainstream has a tendency towards safety. The antithesis of that mainstream safety is operating outside of societal guidelines which can be dangerous.
If you’re a person that can’t stand the norm, you may be at a greater risk of having an addictive personality.
2. Weak Commitment Towards Goals
Goals are things that allow us to gauge whether or not we’re moving our lives in a positive direction. Without goals, especially as an adult, it’s easy to fall into patterns of depression and feelings of being without purpose.
Those feelings are found regularly in people who are managing addictive personalities or full-blown addiction.
3. Malleable Values
If someone asked you what your core values were, would you be able to answer them?
If you have values you can put names to that are meaningful, you’re at a much lower likelihood of falling victim to addiction. On the flip side, if you’re without values that are meaningful, you have no boundaries as far as what you’re willing to do and experience.
Therefore, you’re at a much higher risk of developing an addiction.
4. Frequent Bouts With Stress And Anxiety
Stress and anxiety and an addictive personality often go hand and hand. This issue is two-fold.
For starters, attempting to stray away from addictive behaviors in the face of a personality that’s drawing your towards them can cause a lot of internal struggle. This struggle can lead to fatigue and stress.
If you’re not able to keep your personality in check and develop an addiction, the guilt stemming from doing things you know you shouldn’t be doing can also cause stress and can lead to anxiety. This stress and anxiety often fuel the addiction cycle since many addicts turn to their vices to quiet their minds.
5. Feelings Of Negative Self Worth
Not holding yourself in high esteem is a powerful breeding ground for addiction. When people feel like their lives are not worth regulating or in severe cases, worth saving, there’s no guardrail keeping them from doing high-risk behaviors.
Because of that, if you frequently feel poorly about yourself, you may have an addictive personality.
6. You Require Constant Stimulation
For the average person, there’s a balance between needing to be active and enjoying time relaxing. A person with an addictive personality has trouble creating that balance.
They’re constantly looking for ways to stimulate themselves whether that be through eating, drugs, or other high-risk adrenaline producing behaviors. The term “adrenaline junky” and people who are addiction-prone are typically one in the same.
7. Caution Is Not A Concern
There’s a prevalent feeling among young people that they’re invincible. This lack of self-awareness and caution can lead to addictive behaviors.
Consequences of addiction are one of the main deterrents of partaking in addictive behaviors. Without regard for those consequences, there is a much higher likelihood a person will get wrapped up in addictive patterns.
8. An Inability To Say No
For some people, saying no is second nature… For others, it’s impossible.
The inability to say no is one of the key drivers behind peer pressure. This apprehension stems from being afraid of judgment from people around you.
While not saying no may seem like the trait of somebody who is simply pleasantly accommodating, not saying no also means having no boundaries. Without boundaries, it’s impossible for people to manage their well-being. Therefore, not saying no is a tell-tale sign of an addictive personality.
9. Anti-Social Tendencies
People at high risk for addiction have a tendency to isolate themselves. This isolation stems from deeper rooted issues like depression and stress which render them incapable of being affable, empathetic or exhibiting other traits necessary for productive social interactions.
Isolation often breeds more depression and a deeper dulling of social skills. This cycle leads to the search for coping mechanisms which often result in addition.
10. You Can’t Shake Existing Vices
One of the easiest ways to tell if you’re addiction prone is by analyzing your current behaviors.
Can you go a few days without drinking? How about a month without smoking?
If you answered no to those questions, you’re already caught in an addiction pattern. Looking at the ease in which you fell into that pattern and your willingness to remove yourself from it can be very telling as to whether or not you have an addictive personality.
If you’re caught in an addiction pattern you want help getting out of, seeking help from qualified counseling services is highly recommended.
Wrapping Up Signs You May Have An Addictive Personality
Defining what an addictive personality is can be hard to do. That’s because there are an infinite amount of traits that can be mobilized to move forward addictive tendencies. The list above is an excellent place to frame the conversation.
If you found yourself identifying with multiple traits we listed off, you should know you may be at a higher risk of developing addictions. Armed with this knowledge, work with loved ones or a qualified counselor to help learn how to manage your pro-addiction traits.
Remember, being proactive in better understanding yourself now can save you a tremendous amount of struggle in the future.
If you’re looking for qualified counseling services, consider letting our team at Sam Nabil Counseling Services Help.
We offer people a wide range of therapeutic help and life coaching services to help them overcome their addictive personalities, relationship challenges, life changes and more.
Learn more about our locations here and book your session with our qualified team today!
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