In this series, I dig a little deeper into the meaning of psychology-related terms. This week’s term is addictive personality.
The concept of an addictive personality, although often referred to in pop psychology, is actually less of a thing than you might think. For there to be an addictive personality, that would suggest that there is one specific personality type that makes people addicts. However, the diversity among people with addictions suggests otherwise.
Addictive personality stereotype
The popular notion of what an addict looks like is influenced by what we see in the media. The media images we see aren’t necessarily all that representative. For example, the media tends to portray ethnic minorities as having addictions more than white people. Stereotyping isn’t accurate for other forms of mental illness, and it’s no more accurate for addictions. If the supposed active personality is based on stereotypes, that’s also likely to be inaccurate.
The stereotypical addictive personality tends to be seen as selfish, weak, and unable to control their urges. A common view is that the use of substances tends to be primarily hedonistic, i.e. done for enjoyment. Yet that’s also not accurate.
Risk factors
Assuming that there is a single addictive personality would suggest that addiction arises from a character defect, but research hasn’t identified any single personality type that accounts for all addictions. While there isn’t a single type, though, there are a number of factors representing opposite extremes that can increase risk, including:
- people who, as children, are either antisocial or overly moralistic and sensitive
- either highly impulsive and novelty-seeking, or the opposite
- high IQ is linked with more illicit drug use than average IQ
- comorbid mental health conditions like depression and anxiety
- antisocial personality disorder is a risk factor, but only about 18% of people with illicit drug addictions and 9% of alcoholics have ASPD
- one study showed that teens who rigidly abstained from use were at high risk than those who engaged in moderate experimentation
- childhood trauma and other adverse experiences
A consistent theme is difficulty with self-regulation. That can occur in many different contexts and isn’t a direct driver of addiction.
Biology
While there appears to be a strong genetic role, there’s no single gene that’s responsible for addiction. Certain genetic variants can influence how using a substance feels (like nicotine) or how it’s metabolized (like alcohol). Epigenetics also appears to play a role as well; this refers to the way that environmental conditions can turn gene expression (i.e. making the protein the gene encodes for) on or off.
I think the key here is that, regardless of how much is genetics/epigenetics and how much is temperament and other factors, there’s no single stereotypical model of who an addicted person is and what kind of character they have.
At the individual level
That being said, though, for a given individual with an addiction, personality traits can be one of many factors influencing the development and continuation of their addiction. For another individual, there may also be personality factors that play a role, but not the same ones. Both of these people are likely to be better off if they can gain insight into the factors that play a role for them, but the exact mix will be unique. People with addictions are unique individuals, not a homogeneous entity.
The biggest take-home, though, is that people don’t choose to become addicted, and addiction isn’t about being weak or having a character defect. It’s far more complicated than that, and stereotyping really doesn’t help anyone.
Personally, I think I’m pretty non-addictive from both a biological and psychological perspective. I love my copious quantities of tea but I’m fine without it, I take stimulants and have taken benzos without any problem, and I tend to be a rational more than an emotional decision-maker. Are there any factors you’ve identified that make you more or less prone to addictions?
References
- Szalavitz, M. (2016). The addictive personality isn’t what you think it is. Scientific American.
- Szalavitz, M. (2015). Genetics: No more addictive personality. Nature, 522(7557), S48-S49.
The Psychology Corner has an overview of terms covered in the What Is… series, along with a collection of scientifically validated psychological tests.
Ashley L. Peterson
BScPharm BSN MPN
Ashley is a former mental health nurse and pharmacist and the author of four books.
I sometimes think I am. The reason being was I became addicted to Oxycontin after they were prescribed as a pain killer for my back. I had to voluntarily admit myself with the help of my family physician and my psychiatrist so that I could break the addiction. It wasn’t easy but I did break the addiction.
Opioids can cause so many problems that way.
Funny how we can be highly addictive to some things and not to others. I have taken opioids for years for pain relief and never had a problem, never even used up a whole prescription before getting a refill. But I can be very addictive to other things. Like coke, sugary foods, routine/ocd stuff, and although it isn’t an addiction per se since I don’t abuse it, I have become dependent on Prozac I think because I’ve taken it so many years. If I quit taking it, it never goes well.
Yeah, so interesting how unique and quirky our minds/bodies can be.
I’ve probably said before throwaway comments like “yeah I’ve likely just got an addictive personality” but I don’t believe there’s an addictive personality type. I do believe there are different facets of ourselves – personality traits, biochemistry – that can predispose us to picking up or continuing habitual and addictive behaviours. xx
Yeah, we’ve all got our stuff, and recognizing what we’re prone to is a step in a healthy direction.
I have wondered a lot about my gambling over the years. But, I think I am more prone to making bad decisions when I’m tired, which is often the case. And, not only does the house have the advantage in every game… I often thought I played good blackjack, which made me super competitive when playing!
My grandma used to like gambling. She wouldn’t gamble large amounts, but she believed her “system” worked.
Systems don’t work, according to everything I know and have read… especially betting systems… If any of them worked, there wouldn’t be casinos. I know people believe in them tho!
They definitely don’t work. But Grandma thought I was wrong and she was right. 🤷♀️
Gotta love Grandma… as long as she didn’t spend her retirement savings!!! A lot of people fall victim to those kind of unfortunate things. :/
Yeah, it’s sad that some people get sucked in to that extent.
It is… 🙁
I can become addicted because it’s so tiring to live in pain. It’s not just meds though… I get addicted to distractions that take my mind off pain and will sit for hours playing games, neglecting work/chores. I have a high IQ and I have noticed my fellow braniacs are full of issues…
It would be nice if science could come up with a mute button for pain. Like, this migraine isn’t saying anything useful, so shut the fuck up!
I’ve struggled with both addiction and mental health for a good chunk of my life. Sometimes I’m not sure which came first, like the “chicken or the egg” scenario. Other times, I’m convinced that childhood trauma led to severe depression and fear of people early in life. By my mid-20s, my alcohol consumption was out of control. I’m sober today and being sober is the only way I address my depression/anxiety. It’s a constant struggle..
I’m sure. That’s greta that you’ve been able to stay on top of it.
I have addictions, but I like to not consider it part of my personality. Saying that makes me feel like I can’t do anything about it.
That’s a great way of looking at it.
-raises hand-
Anything that requires self-constraint. Instant failure 🤭
At least knowing is better than denial…
Also true!
Plus – with that knowledge: if you never start: you don’t get addicted 🍾🥳
So I’ve stayed away from things like cigs and drugs and gambling all my life – successfully!
That’s great!
This is (as always) such good and factual information. It really is a complex issue. I have been glad to see , in some of the literature, the improved awareness that addiction is an illness. And as you point out, “people don’t choose to become addicted, and addiction isn’t about being weak or having a character defect”.
Yes, any attempt to simplify addiction will inevitably miss the mark and do a disservice to people who are struggling with this complex conditiion.
Addiction is both nature and nurture for me. And it’s strong in both aspects.
That’s a tough combination.
I definitely have an addictive personality. I have been in recovering for 3 years now. I definitely agree with you that there is stigma that can come along with addiction. One thing that I know is true for me is that i always have to be aware is that the addictive personality will always be with me and it can show up in many ways.
That’s great to have that self-awareness.