What Having an Addictive Personality Actually Means

Addiction is a diagnosable disorder that anyone can have

Medically reviewed by Michael MacIntyre, MD

Clinically, the term “addiction” refers to a complex psychological disorder in which you can’t control your use of certain substances despite adverse consequences.

While there are many different types of addictions and compulsive behaviors, “addictive personality” is not recognized by psychologists and is a controversial concept. No single personality type makes you prone to addiction; many factors can lead to your developing one.

When it comes to addictive personality, it’s essential to sort out the facts from fiction. This article discusses the behaviors that qualify as addiction and how these are—and are not—related to personality traits. It also describes what raises your risk of addiction and what you can do to get help.

The Term "Addictive Personality" Is Misleading

While certain traits may make you more prone to developing addictions, the term “addictive personality” is a misnomer. No matter your personality type, you can develop an addiction; there isn’t a specific type of person who is susceptible.

Addictive personality is not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), the handbook for mental health diagnoses established by the American Psychiatric Association.

However, "addictive personality" as a term can encompass several often-related concepts and terms, including:

• Addiction: According to the American Psychological Association (APA), addiction is a brain disorder characterized by a psychological and physical dependence on alcohol or other substances. Those with this disease continue using substances despite negative effects on health, personal lives, and school or work.

• Substance use disorder (SUD): “Substance use disorder” refers to the uncontrollable use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco despite negative consequences. People with SUD crave these so much that this fixation interferes with daily life and affects thinking and behavior. Addiction is considered a severe form of SUD.

• Behavioral addiction: Addiction is not limited to substances or alcohol. The term "behavioral addiction” (also known as behavioral disorder) is used clinically to refer to dependency on internet use, gaming, gambling, compulsive sex, exercising, and even work.

• Neurosis: Neurosis is associated with overthinking, anxiety, emotional symptoms, and compulsive acts, with the latter connecting it to addictions. The concept of neurosis has largely been supplanted by anxiety disorders in psychiatry.

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): OCD is a personality disorder that causes individuals to have repetitive, uncontrollable thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions). If you have OCD, you might feel addicted to specific activities or behaviors.

OCD and Addiction

A critical aspect of obsessive-compulsive disorder is the compulsions, meaning behaviors or activities that the person with OCD feels an uncontrollable urge to do.

These compulsions can include cleaning excessively, counting, arranging things in a certain way, and repeatedly checking if doors are locked. Though such behaviors are not addictions in a strict sense, they can operate like them. You can have an addiction and OCD at the same time.

Traits of So-Called Addictive Personality

Even though addictive personality isn’t a formal diagnosis—and there are no set symptoms or signs—several traits are typically associated with it. These include:

• Impulsivity: Studies have found that people with behavioral addictions and substance use disorders score high in impulsivity. This is a tendency to act without thinking ahead and an inability to limit or suppress your thoughts or behaviors.

• Lower conscientiousness: Like the flip side to impulsivity, conscientiousness is the ability to control your behavior and be cautious. This trait is diminished in those with substance use disorder or behavioral addictions.

• Lower agreeableness: This trait is a person’s ability to put the needs of others before their own. Though the evidence can vary based on the type of addiction, researchers have found connections between lower agreeableness and substance abuse and alcohol use disorders.

• Lower extraversion: Extraversion is excitability, sociability, assertiveness, and the ability to talk to others and express emotions. Some researchers have found connections between lower ratings of this trait and those who have substance use disorders.

• Neuroticism: Clinically, neuroticism is a tendency to experience negative mood states (affects), such as anger, anxiety, self-consciousness, crankiness, emotional volatility, and depression.

• Openness to experience: Another trait that’s been associated with certain addictions is openness to experience, which is characterized as a willingness to try new things, explore, and seek out new experiences and sensations.

What Can You Be Addicted To?

When most people think of addiction, they tend to think of dependency on alcohol or drugs. But alongside alcohol or substance addictions, there are also behavioral addictions. As such, things you can become addicted to include:

• Exercise

• Sex

• Work

• Gambling

• Internet use

• Playing video games

• Shopping

Is There an Addictive Personality Test?

Since addictive personality isn’t clinically recognized, no specific diagnostic test exists. However, healthcare providers do have means of diagnosing and detecting both behavioral and substance-based addictions.

Healthcare providers diagnose substance-based addictions based on use activity and behavioral criteria outlined in the DSM-5. Similarly, behavior-based addictions are determined based on dependency on specific behaviors and their impacts on your life.

Recognizing an Addiction for What It Is

While there’s no such thing as having an addictive personality, addiction is a well-established concept. According to the DSM-5, addictions can be subdivided into those involving other substances and those linked to behaviors. Addiction is currently viewed as a brain disorder that affects how you process reward, motivation, and memory.

Defining Substance and Alcohol Misuse Disorder

Substance use disorder is a complicated condition characterized by an uncontrollable use of a drug or other intoxicating substance, despite consequences on in your personal or professional life and overall health.

Alcohol use disorder has a similar definition and encompasses everything from alcoholism to problematic alcohol use. Alcohol use disorder is an inability or impaired ability to stop drinking alcohol, even when this harms your professional or personal life.

So, what raises your risk of developing an addiction? Several important factors include:

• The age at which you start using alcohol or drugs (the younger you start, the higher your risk)

• Genetics, as in having a family history of alcoholism or drug use disorder

• A history of childhood trauma

• Anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other mental health conditions
  

If You’re at Risk for Addiction

If you suspect you’re at risk of addiction, being proactive is important. Steps you can take include:

• Talking to a healthcare provider about potential treatment options and recovery programs

• Talking to your partner, trusted friends, parents, or family about your concerns and enlisting their help

• Seeking out helpful resources and educating yourself about addiction

• Seeking out mental health counseling or therapy

• Building positive relationships and avoiding people who use or trigger the addiction

• Trying coping mechanisms for stress or anxiety, such as relaxation techniques

• Adopting healthier daily habits, such as regular exercise

• Making time to spend with loved ones

Getting Help for an Existing Addiction

Addiction can be a difficult and destructive disease, but it is treatable. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach; every person is different. If you or a loved one has an addiction, research has shown that targeted addiction treatment combined with individualized or group behavioral therapies can be very effective.

Remember that addiction recovery is a process rather than an event. Relapses are common, and they should not be viewed as failures.

Steps You Can Take

If you are struggling with addiction, here’s what you can do:

• Medical treatment: Withdrawal from certain substances can be difficult or even deadly, making treatment necessary in some instances. In addition, a healthcare provider can prescribe medications to help prevent relapses and connect you to other resources.

• Addiction counseling: Try working with a therapist or trained addiction counselor who can offer different behavioral therapies to help you cope and provide guidance on dealing with cravings or other issues.

• Support groups: Many support groups are available for those struggling with addiction, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Finding others who are going through what you are can help keep you accountable and provide a source of comfort and empathy during challenging moments.

• Enlist family and friends: Talk to your loved ones about your addiction and be open about what you are going through. They, too, can be an excellent source of support.

• Change your lifestyle: Avoid situations or people that trigger your addiction; adopt new habits or activities.

Helping a Loved One With Addiction

A family member or loved one with addiction may not recognize the issue or decide they don’t need help. Supporting someone in recovery can also be challenging because addiction is a complex brain disorder.

To support someone in recovery, keep the following in mind:

• Be collaborative rather than confrontational when talking to someone about their addiction.

• Convey support and keep lines of communication open.

• Understand that addiction is a disease; try not to stigmatize or blame.

• Learn about how addiction works and the types of support available.

• Don’t lose hope; it may take multiple attempts to convince someone to get help.

• Relapses are common; be forgiving, encouraging, and patient.

• Take care of your mental health; seek counseling or support if you’re struggling.

• Establish boundaries surrounding substances, alcohol, or addictive behaviors.

• Seek social support; programs and support groups are available for those impacted by addiction.

Summary

An addictive personality is a set of traits that predispose an individual to addiction. However, this concept is not supported by scientific evidence. Addiction is a brain disorder to which all personality types are susceptible.

Several factors raise your risk of developing addiction, including genetics, childhood trauma, or having a mental health condition. Though addictions are challenging, medical treatments and therapies can help.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.