Are you wondering do I have an addictive personality? Understand your personality can be difficult without a second opinion or a set of guidelines to determine how you behave. This is especially important if you believe that you have addictive tendencies or an addictive personality.
Knowing the differences between addictive substances vs. having an addictive personality is key since individuals without addictive personalities are also likely to develop substance use issues. So what are some of the key distinctions between general addiction and an addictive personality? And when do you know to find help for addiction recovery in Portland Oregon?
What is an Addictive Personality?
An addictive personality means that you have a specific predisposition to developing an addiction to drugs, rewarding behavioral effects, and similar vices. When a person has an addictive personality, it means that they are likely to fall into immediate addiction upon the first use of drugs and alcohol.
Many researchers have tried to identify the root cause of addictive personalities but haven’t quite determined what it is. However, it is known that it is genetic and inherited through genealogy. In addition, they are developed over time due to societal factors, friendships and peer influences, and outside psychological factors.
Individuals with an addictive personality are also likely to develop addictions to other substances more rapidly than other individuals, which means that addictive personalities are likely to have more than one addiction.
Do I Have an Addictive Personality?
Identifying an addictive personality isn’t a simple task. Most individuals aren’t fully aware or able to recognize whether or not they have abnormal addictive tendencies. However, friends and family can use the following guidelines to help determine if individuals have an addictive personality:
The most significant sign is if an individual appears to have several addictions or addictive behaviors at once. For example, addictive personalities may binge drink to an obsessive and compulsive degree. In addition to also partaking in other substance use, gaming, and gambling, or similar addictive tendencies.
If an individual is using a substance or partaking in behaviors at a significant, time-consuming rate with little self-awareness, then they likely have an addiction. Most addicts use substances out of a need even if it harms their relationships, finances, hobbies, and self-care needs.
Other signs of an addictive personality and addiction to look for include:
- A love of adrenaline or excitement: Addictive personalities and addicts generally have more sensitive and intense dopamine releases than non-addicts. Earlier behaviors to watch for include intense thrill-seeking and possible endangerment, such as driving a car fast
- Impulsivity to continue seeking thrills: The majority of addicts experience an overwhelming impulse to continue partaking in addictive behaviors. Even if friends, family, and others express concern with their behavior the addict will likely ignore these concerns and continue
- Addicts trying to experience the same high or thrill constantly: Addicts will develop tolerances to their addictive behaviors and can lead to more dangerous thrill-seeking behaviors. If an addict drinks three or four times a day, then they could soon start to need more alcohol to feel the same buzz
What Treatment Should I Consider?
If you or a loved one continues to struggle with addiction, then it may be time to contact our addiction recovery center in Portland, Oregon. At Crestview Recovery, our expert clinical staff is here to provide you with the services and expertise to address multiple types of addiction.
Addicts that struggle with alcohol, heroin, gambling, opioid, and other addictions can get the care they need at our rehab facility. We encourage anyone who believes they have an addictive personality to reach out and contact us directly.
Addiction can be overwhelming for families and friends to overcome. At Crestview, we can help you with a few different programs:
Understanding the signs of addictive personalities is the first start to getting the care you and your family needs. If you’re asking do I have an addictive personality? Then contact fadCrestview Recovery today at 866.262.0531.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
