Threads That Link the Addictive Personality

Many people have features of an addictive personality. They heed the call to the “pleasure center," located in the frontal lobe of the brain. As many yield to the urges and cravings of the pleasure center, negative beliefs and behaviors reinforce the need to continue self-defeating compulsive behavior.

Behind the addiction, one finds personality characteristics that sustain it. According the Charlie Whitfield, the author of Healing the Child Within, these characteristics are common to all addictions. Such individuals experience problems with trust, dependency, abandonment, shame, guilt, and the expression of deep feelings. Once the addiction is uncovered, these issues must be addressed through group addiction meetings or individual therapy. Often adults whose parents were alcoholics choose to attend Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA) or Rational Recovery meetings in order to resolve the fallout from dysfunctional family behavior. Children can be impacted by a parent’s addictive patterns and often will role model self-defeating, substance abusing behavior.

Addictive behavior stretches on a continuum. For some, the tendency to compulsively engage in a particular behavior may not affect everyday functioning. Case in point is the many people may engage in a cycle of ritualistic jogging. This activity may be considered a positive addiction because it promotes physical fitness and can release endorphins which elevate mood and behavior. However, if the jogger begins to dismiss friendships, social activities and responsibilities in order to sustain the jogging pattern, then the activity takes on a different meaning. Furthermore, many joggers may become so obsessive about their interest that they begin experiencing dramatic weight-loss and develop body misperception problems.

People struggle with addictive behaviors such as weight-gain, gambling, sexual addictions, eating disorders, compulsive shopping and self-cutting. I am merely providing a brief list of addictive behaviors. A comprehensive list is too exhaustive to print.

Are there common features that link all of the various addictions into a pattern? The following is my perception of the common threads that connect all addictive behaviors:

Ÿ Most addictive behaviors are an attempt at avoiding unpleasant and painful experiences.
Ÿ Most addictive urges and cravings are triggered by underlying maladaptive thoughts and beliefs.
Ÿ Most people with addictions mask emotional problems such as anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive characteristics.
Ÿ Most addictions are fueled by thwarted anger and self-blame, particularly among adolescents.
Ÿ Shame-based beliefs and feelings are at the core of all addictions.
Ÿ Most people who experience addictions complete a “repetition cycle” of abuse. The cycle starts with experiencing an urge, yielding to the cravings, feeling numb with a decrease in anxiety, manifesting guilt and remorse, followed by an escalation of anxiety and a repeat of the cycle.
Ÿ The primary goal of addictive behavior is to decrease anxiety.

People who experience addictions that are affecting their lifestyle and relationships can benefit from finding a quality counselor who is trained in addressing issues related to addictions treatment. There are also many outpatient and inpatient treatment programs throughout the country to assist children and adults who experience addictive behavior. If you think you might have a problem with addictions, listen to your partner, listen to your friends, and listen to your own inner-voice. Don’t wait until you “hit rock bottom.”