Do You Have an Addictive Personality?

An addictive personality can create problems with drugs, alcohol,gambling, compulsive sex, shoplifting, video games and many more compulsive behaviors. Some say that there’s no such thing as ‘addictive personalities’. However, one thing is certain – there are psychological traits that these people share, and if you have these traits, you can be more likely to develop an addiction problem.
Some Addictive Personality Traits
Impulsive behavior
Anti-social Behavior
Compulsive Behavior
Low Self-Esteem
Insecurity
Negativity or Depression
Addictive behavior is escapist behavior. All of us prefer pleasure to pain, so an addiction serves the purpose of escaping from reality for awhile.
Food addicts
substitute food for stresses in life. This is referred to as emotional eating.
Sex addicts
escape with sexual behavior and this goes for any of the other compulsive behaviors as well.
Most of us can drink or gamble for the fun of it, but if you have any of the above traits, you are more susceptible to developing an addiction. If you’re an
alcoholic
or a compulsive
gambler
you’ve crossed the line and it’s difficult but not impossible to stop this compulsive behavior.
Addictions have entered all levels of our society. We are preoccupied with weight,
shopping
and with technology comes the new addictions:
computer addiction
as well as
video game addiction
As you know, you can get hooked on
recreational drugs
but prescription medication can also be addictive.
If you feel that you’re using too much medication, speak to your doctor.
There is no one reason someone becomes an addict.
It’s not only personality. Physiological, social, and psychological components are also involved.
The personality traits are only one of many factors. Understanding the personality traits gives you awareness, that you may be more prone to an addiction than others – but it doesn’t predict it.
If you or someone you know has these
addictive personality traits you can change your thinking
and learn to handle your life positively and more productively.
Having the traits doesn’t mean you're destined to be addicted.
Have a question on addiction?
Just ask
Do you have an addiction story or a confession? Is there something you've done or said that you'd like to take back. By talking about it you let the guilt go -- and you also help others in the process.
Tell your story here
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