There are scientifically validated ways to learn more about yours (though they’re not perfect).
asserted
they → be → yours
But there are also plenty of descriptors that can lead people astray.
asserted
that → be → people
One of these is the notion of an “addictive personality,” meaning a single profile of a person who’s at risk for developing an addiction.
asserted
who → mean → addiction
People often use this term to explain why someone overdoes it with alcohol or other substances, or with habits like shopping or gambling.
asserted
someone → use → shopping
Likewise, people sometimes claim they don’t have an addictive personality to justify why they feel they can imbibe, consume, or participate in certain acts without restraint..
uncertain
they → claim → restraint
But experts say there’s actually no such thing as an addictive personality.
asserted
experts → say → personality
“The idea that people can have a specific personality type that makes them prone to addiction has been around for a long time, but it’s not scientifically supported,” says Ryan Carpenter, a substance-use researcher and assistant professor of psychology at the University of Notre Dame.
asserted
Carpenter → make → Dame
Despite decades of research on this issue, scientists haven’t been able to identify a personality type that reliably predicts whether someone will have problems with excessive use of alcohol or other substances.
asserted
someone → identify → alcohol
“The story is way more complicated than the label ['addictive personality'] suggests,” says Dr. Manassa Hany, division director of addiction psychiatry at Northwell’s Zucker Hillside and South Oaks Hospitals.
uncertain
Hany → suggest → Hospitals
It might give someone a false sense of security if they believe they don’t have an addictive temperament, or it may make someone reluctant to seek help if they’re overdoing it with a particular substance or behavior because they believe they’re not predisposed to having an issue, says Hany.
uncertain
Hany → give → issue
On the other hand, “if we label people as having an addictive personality, that can be harmful,” Hany adds.
asserted
Hany → label → personality
“It can cause even more stigma and judgment for those who fit the stereotype.”
asserted
who → cause → stereotype
“Addiction is something that can happen to anyone,” says Dr. Ryan Marino, an associate professor of emergency medicine and psychiatry at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in Cleveland.
asserted
Marino → happen → Cleveland
“It’s a complex interplay between genetics, our internal biology, physiology, and psychology, and external factors.
asserted
It → ’ → genetics
None of those individual things is the determining factor.
asserted
None → determine → things
”
Who is at risk for addiction, and why?
While the concept of an addictive personality is not backed by scientific evidence, some research suggests that certain individual traits—but not a single personality “type”—are linked to a higher risk of developing an addiction.
uncertain
traits → back → addiction
Research has found, for example, that impulsivity plays a role in all types of addictive disorders, and drug and alcohol-use disorders tend to be more common among people who score lower on measures of agreeableness and extraversion.
asserted
who → find → agreeableness
People who are sensation-seekers or novelty-seekers also have a higher risk of developing an addiction, according to research.
uncertain
who → have → research
Other studies have revealed a link between neuroticism and a higher risk of developing different addictions, and there appears to be a connection between compulsivity and a greater risk of behavioral addictions (such as gambling).
asserted
studies → reveal → gambling
In addition, having depression, anxiety, loneliness, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can increase the risk of developing an addiction, says Carpenter.
asserted
Carpenter → have → addiction
So can having attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
asserted
having → have → disorder
Experiencing trauma during childhood also can increase the risk, adds Hany.
asserted
Hany → experience → risk
People with borderline personality disorder have an increased risk of developing a substance-related disorder or addiction at some point in their lives, and the same is true of those with anti-social behavior, Carpenter says.
asserted
Carpenter → have → behavior
None of these risk factors adds up to a single personality type.
asserted
None → add → type
And one of the things that makes these connections tricky is there’s a two-way street between personality elements and addiction, notes Carpenter.
asserted
Carpenter → make → elements
“Somebody who is using a substance is caught in a cycle that can impact behavior and how they interact with people.”
asserted
they → use → people
Family history and genetic factors can play a part, as well, says Robert Leeman, a psychologist and addiction researcher and a professor in the department of public health and health sciences at Northeastern University.
asserted
Leeman → play → University
“Fifty percent of one’s risk has to do with family history,” he estimates.
asserted
he → have → history
There isn’t a single known gene that predisposes people to developing an addiction.
asserted
that → be → addiction
And if substance-use disorders or other addictions run in your family, that doesn’t mean you’re destined to develop one.
asserted
you → run → one
“If you have addiction in the family, you’ve got to be a bit more careful,” says Hany.
asserted
Hany → have → family
On the other hand, certain factors seem to protect people from developing an addiction.
asserted
factors → seem → addiction
These include having stable housing and economic security, a sense of meaning and purpose in life, and strong social connections, Hany says.
asserted
Hany → include → life
But these aren’t a guarantee, either—and they’re not limited to one type of personality.
asserted
they → limit → personality
How to spot the warning signs of addiction
“The issue with addiction is it creeps in,” says Hany.
asserted
Hany → spot → addiction
“It’s a very gradual process.”
asserted
It → ’ → ?
That’s why it’s important to be alert to signs that a problem may be developing.
uncertain
problem → ’ → signs
For a substance-use disorder, these criteria include having impaired control over substance use; an impaired ability to fulfill obligations at work, home, or school; persistent use despite negative consequences from it; or having cravings or a pressing desire to use the substance.
asserted
criteria → include → substance
“The more substance use starts to take up more of your time or take over all aspects of your life, the more likely you are to have problems with it,” says Carpenter.
asserted
Carpenter → start → it
Your individual response to consuming alcohol, for example—which has nothing to do with personality—can also affect your risk.
asserted
which → consume → risk
…and 5 more, not listed.
The Aporia
