People who have addictive personalities have common traits such as impulsivity, thrill-seeking behaviors and can struggle with obsessive thinking. There are certain signs and symptoms of an addictive personality, and it’s important to see whether you have these traits so that you can learn to cope with them. Some of these issues may be unique to you, or you could have inherited them. A lot of times, addiction is passed down from generation to generation. Let’s look at what it means to have an addictive personality and how you can cope:
Impulsivity
People that struggle with addiction often behave impulsively. They may struggle with making rational decisions. For example, someone with an alcohol addiction may impulsively drink in the middle of the day or not know when to stop drinking. You might see this impulsivity with regard to substance abuse or in their everyday life. It may look like spontaneity, but it is actually an impulsive decision. For example, maybe the person decides impulsively to leave work early and go on a trip. It could be that they impulsively break up with their partner and engage in risky behavior such as promiscuity. Impulsive behavior could be a sign of addiction.
Genetic Predisposition
Genetics can play a large role in many health conditions, including mental illness. For example, people who have addiction in their family may pass it down to the next generation. It’s helpful to know your genetic history when it comes to mental health. A lot of times, people with addictive personalities have it in their genes. For example, if your mom had a gambling addiction, she could have passed down that addictive gene to you, and perhaps you have a food addiction. So, you could struggle, for example, with a binge eating disorder or something to do with substance abuse. Genetic predisposition to addiction is a real phenomenon, and it’s important if you have an addition in your family to be mindful because you could struggle with addiction as well.
Quitting is Difficult
People who have addictions may want to quit but could have trouble letting go of their substance or addiction. If you have an addictive personality, you may want to stop the thing that you are addicted to, but it seems impossible. Try to remember that many people are in your shoes, and some of them have recovered from their addiction. If you find that your addiction is out of control, that can be frustrating. You may see your life going downhill but not know what to do. For example, maybe you are losing friends and alienating your family members because of your addiction. Whether it’s substance abuse or technology or gambling, it’s the same concept, where you are alienating people in your life and losing people, yet you can’t seem to quit your behavior. That is a sign of an addiction. You’re not going to be able to get to a place of recovery without actual help. That’s where you can find ways to quit.
Getting the Help That You Need
Addiction can be extremely challenging, and you don’t have to deal with these issues alone. One place to start is by speaking to a licensed therapist. Therapy is a great place to be able to talk about addiction and gain insight into what your triggers are so that you can start healing. Online therapy is a safe and secure place where you can talk to a counselor about struggling with addiction. There’s nothing to be ashamed of because many people deal with these issues. You might benefit from going to various addiction based meetings to try to talk through these issues. But, you will be able to get the help that you need. Just try to remember to take one day at a time or even one minute if you need to.