What Causes an Addictive Personality?

There are many mental health conditions for which an individual can be diagnosed including a range of personality disorders. An addictive personality however refers more to a set of traits both behavioral and biological that leave an individual highly susceptible to addiction including things like a history of trauma.

What Causes an Addictive Personality?

Addictive personality is not a mental health disorder per se but rather a set of traits that increase How likely an individual is to develop a substance use disorder or behavioral addiction. It doesn’t come from a single cause and instead is made up of different biological, psychological, and behavioral traits as well as environmental and neurobiological factors.

Genetic Predisposition

Studies have shown that there are several genes that can influence how the body and brain process different chemicals including illicit substances or alcohol. Those individuals who have a family history of substance abuse likely have a higher biological risk which means that should they partake of drugs or alcohol, they may be more likely to develop an addiction as a result compared to someone without that same biological risk or family history.

Neurological Pathways

There are also different traits that have to do with how the brain is wired. This, similarly, is a genetic risk factor, a biological trait that can mean an individual’s neurological Pathways and reward system are more heavily influenced by drugs and alcohol.

Individuals with these traits struggle with desensitization much faster and deal with irrational and powerful cravings that are much stronger compared to someone without those same neurological traits.

Psychological Vulnerabilities

There are also psychological vulnerabilities, things like high levels of impulsivity or limited stress tolerance. Those who have a mental health condition like anxiety, PTSD, depression, or even personality disorders with symptoms of things like impulsivity or low stress tolerance may be at a higher risk for developing an addiction.

Environmental and Social Influences

Finally, there are environmental and social factors that can influence whether an individual develops an addiction. Growing up in a household where substance abuse was normalized or where families did not exhibit healthy coping strategies, exposure to chronic trauma, poverty, systemic racism, or other stress especially in childhood can also increase the risk factors for an adult developing an addiction later.

How East Coast Recovery Center Can Help

At East Coast Recovery center, we provide evidence-based, flexible outpatient programs that are designed to help rewire behavioral patterns associated with addictive personality. Our Cohasset location provides flexible full day and partial day programs for those who are trying to understand the foundational traits that might be driving addictive behaviors in themselves and work with clinical interventions to develop things like better stress tolerance or coping mechanisms.

Call our team today to learn more about treatment for addictive personality traits.

FAQs

Is There An Official Medical Diagnosis For An “Addictive Personality”?

No, clinical manuals like the DSM-5 do not recognize “addictive personality” as a standalone medical disorder, but it does refer to an overlapping set of traits that put an individual at a higher risk of developing addiction should they try addictive substances or activities. For example, someone with a history of childhood trauma, a family history of drug abuse, and a genetic profile for addiction will be much more likely to develop an addiction if they start drinking heavily or using drugs compared to someone without those same risk factors.

What Services Does East Coast Recovery Center Offer To Address Impulsive Personality Traits?

At East Coast Recovery Center, we rely on evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as well as holistic modalities. Together these practices help our clients learn better emotional regulation, impulse control, and coping mechanisms for things like stress. Each of our programs work to directly mitigate the risk factors of addictive personality traits.

Do My Genetics Mean I’ll Develop An Addiction?

No, even a family history or genetic traits indicating risk of addiction do not automatically mean you will develop an addiction. These traits or family histories just mean that you have a higher biological risk but it doesn’t guarantee an addiction. There are several other factors like personality choices and environment that can work to heighten that risk or diminish that risk.

How Does Substance Abuse Alter The Brain’s Natural Reward System?

Under normal circumstances, your body releases things like dopamine to reward you for making healthy, sustainable decisions like exercise or eating a good meal. However, drugs and alcohol flood your system with higher than normal levels then you would get from those healthy, sustainable decisions which, over time, leads to an overactivation and desensitization of your neural pathways. This means that long-term substance abuse will eliminate your ability to get any pleasurable response from regular activities, which increases the cravings for substances that can provide that type of response.

Is Outpatient Care For Addictive Personality Effective?

Yes, our Day Treatment (PHP) and Partial Day Treatment (Partial Day Treatment Program) tracks are effective when it comes to treating symptoms of addiction and, by extension, addictive personality traits. During either of these levels of care, our clients receive regular psychological treatment with integrated holistic therapies and evidence-based practices to help build reliable coping mechanisms and sustainable change both at our facility and at home.

How Long Do I Need Treatment for Addictive Personality Traits?

This varies from one person to the next which is why we conduct comprehensive assessments when you reach out to our team. In general, treatments that last 90 days or less do not provide the same success rates compared to longer programs when it comes to changing long-term behavioral traits. We offer a full day, partial day, and traditional outpatient program that, when combined, can help individuals reach that common timeline and most importantly have the time necessary to reconstruct daily habits, identify personal triggers, and build healthy coping mechanisms.

How Do I Start Rehab?

The first step is contacting our admissions team at (617) 390-8349 for a confidential screening. When you reach out, we will help you verify your insurance benefits, evaluate your needs, and schedule your official intake to determine the right type of program and the right combination of therapies to meet your needs.

Are Family Members Included In The Treatment Process At East Coast Recovery Center?

Yes, we work hard to include family in all of our day and partial day programs owing to the fact that addiction often has a genetic and environmental component both of which relate to family members. For this reason it’s important for the entire family to be involved in things like family therapy sessions to help relatives identify and change unhealthy coping mechanisms, establish firm personal boundaries, and build a supportive environment for their loved one during and after treatment.

What If I Do Not Have Insurance Coverage?

If you don’t have insurance or you are facing a high deductible, you can call our admissions team to see if any of our programs are a good fit for your needs after which we can help you look into alternative Financial options like self-pay installment plans or third-party Health Care options.