Do you ever find something you like and then obsess over it for an extended period? Maybe you have difficulty focusing on anything else once you find something that suits you. If you feel like you are prone to having too much of a good thing, you might have an addictive personality.

Certain personality traits indicate you are more likely to struggle with addictions. For example, if you prefer immediate gratification, enjoy risk-taking behaviors, suffer from impulsivity, and have a hard time developing healthy coping mechanisms, you are more prone to develop addiction.

Having an addictive or dependent personality does not necessarily mean you will develop a substance use disorder. You might simply engage in compulsive behavior from time to time. You could also develop a behavioral addiction, like shopping, video games, gambling, or even food.

Understanding what a dependent personality is can help you recover from your addictive tendencies before they develop into something more. People with addictive personalities can change their ways and seek healthier coping mechanisms before they begin abusing drugs, alcohol, or other types of negative behaviors.

What is an Addictive Personality?

An addictive or dependent personality is a term used to describe when you are prone to overindulge in certain behaviors. It can refer to someone who believes that too much of a good thing is still not enough. While having an addictive personality does make you more prone to addiction, it is not a diagnosis.

If you have a hard time engaging in activities in moderation, you might have an addictive personality. You might experience behaviors like:

• Rushing into relationships quickly
• Being unable to put your phone down
• Constantly buying things to feel better or engaging in “retail therapy”
• Eating the same type of food over and over again
• Being unable to only have a few drinks when you go out with friends
• Being glued to your TV when watching shows or playing video games

While engaging in addictive behaviors is an early sign of addiction, it does not necessarily mean you have one. Usually, an addictive personality simply shows that you are more likely to develop one. You must also experience things like environmental factors, underlying mental health conditions, or a genetic predisposition to suffer from an addiction.

Which Traits Indicate an Addictive Personality?

If your personality type is addictive, you might have a hard time letting things go. You could also prefer engaging in risky or thrill-seeking behaviors, like extreme sports or an overindulgence in substance abuse or sex.

The traits that indicate an addictive personality include:

Thrill-Seeking and Impulsivity

Do you find that you are the one in your friend group who is always bringing up or saying yes to risky activities? If the answer is yes, you could have an addictive personality. Usually, the reason you are attracted to these activities is because the danger that comes with them causes you to experience a thrill or a release.

Preferring Immediate Gratification

Do you have a hard time waiting for things that make you feel good? Maybe you prefer activities that give you immediate gratification, like drinking alcohol, shopping, or having sex. Preferring to experience an instantaneous rush over having to wait for a good thing could be a sign of an addictive personality.

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An Inability to Quit

People with an addictive personality often have a hard time quitting something they enjoy, even if it is hurting their life.

For example, let’s say you enjoy snowboarding. Unfortunately, you keep experiencing significant injuries every time you snowboard. Instead of taking a break, you continue to snowboard as soon as your injury is healed.

You could also use substance abuse as an example. Maybe you tried an addictive substance like cocaine for the first time. Ever since you experienced that high, you cannot let it go, even though it is harming your mind, body, and social life.

Poor Coping Skills

If you have an addictive personality, it is likely that you also have poor coping skills. You use activities like eating, shopping, drinking alcohol, or doing drugs to feel good. If you are having a bad day, you might engage in your preferred activity to feel better instead of seeking therapy or doing something healthy and productive.

Unfortunately, your inability to use healthy coping mechanisms is what will cause your addictive tendencies to progress. If you do not learn how to deal with uncomfortable emotions, you will develop a behavioral, drug, or alcohol addiction.

Self-Esteem Issues

Another trait of addictive personalities is low self-esteem. You might engage in risky behaviors as a form of self-harm or need to experience instant gratification to feel better. Having low self-esteem causes you to seek fulfillment in unhealthy places, like risky sex, substance abuse, or behavioral addictions like gambling.

Ways to Overcome an Addictive Personality

If you find that you relate to the traits associated with an addictive personality, there are some things you should consider doing. To avoid developing an addiction, you should seek healthier ways of coping and having fun. Instead of engaging in risky behaviors, find easier ways to experience happiness, like hanging out with friends and family, meditating, or exercising.

Other ways to overcome an addictive personality include:

• Seeking therapy to overcome your behaviors
• Work on building up your self-esteem through community and friendship
• Use relaxation techniques to overcome your high levels of stress
• Develop a self-care routine that allows you to feel content
• Find opportunities to engage in social activities that do not involve drugs or alcohol
• Seek help for any underlying mental health conditions you might suffer from, like personality disorders or depression

While it can be hard to break long-term behaviors like thrill-seeking, instant gratification, or frequent substance abuse, it is possible. If you have already developed a substance use disorder, a drug and alcohol rehab center can help.

Find Help for Drug and Alcohol Abuse

If you or a loved one suffers from drug or alcohol abuse, it’s time to seek professional help. The first step in overcoming a substance use disorder is medical detox. Programs like Charlotte Detox Center will offer medical supervision, medications to limit withdrawal symptoms, and psychological support to help you cope with cravings.

At Charlotte Detox Center, we help you overcome withdrawal while addressing the root causes of your addiction. If you suffer from an addictive personality, we will help you overcome damaging personality traits through evidence-based behavioral therapies. Additionally, our therapists are trained in trauma-informed care, making it easy for you to open up about past experiences that may have contributed to your addiction.

Contact Charlotte Detox Center today to learn more about addictive personalities and how we can help you recover.