The Addictive Personality Part Two

Much has been written about genetic predisposition and its relationship to addictive personalities. Having an addict in the family does not guarantee that everyone in the family will become addicts. But many believe that hereditary factors can raise a person's level of vulnerability to substance abuse or other addictions. That may explain why some gamble in moderation and others compulsively-why some can drink for enjoyment and others become alcoholics.

It does seem as if those with the genetic predisposition will engage in some type of excessive behavior but will not necessary choose the same stimuli they have been exposed to. Adult children of alcoholics may never drink but they may become addicted to gambling. Children of drug addicts may exercise excessively or be workaholics.

There is no single gene that determines a person's susceptibility to addiction. Studies comparing identical and fraternal twins estimate that genetic factors account for 40 to 60 percent of the occurrence of the gene variation.

Researchers have discovered a number of genes that link to addiction through DNA testing. One gene causes dizziness and nausea from smoking and is more present in non-smokers than smokers. Alcoholism is rare in those who have two copies of the ALDH2 gene. Other genes have been linked to narcotic dependency.

Variants in certain genes have been shown to suppress dopamine signals in the brain. Those with these blunted receptors have the need to seek higher levels of stimulation to reach the same level of pleasure as those who don't have the variants. DNA testing can offer vital clues in battling addiction but the use of it is very controversial. The concern is that some may use this information for discrimination purposes.

It comes down to the nature versus nurture argument. Environment and upbringing are believed to be equally important in shaping the personality. Our life circumstances and emotional experiences may have more influence than our genetic make-up does. Under this theory no matter our chemical make-up, we still have the ability to choose and control our actions.

There are factors that may indicate a higher risk of developing a serious addiction. People who have difficulty thinking about the long term consequences of their actions are more susceptible to developing an addiction. So are those who do everything in excess and/or to extremes, and those who habitually substitute one compulsion for another. For example, stressed out workaholics may come home at the end of the day and start drinking to help them relax. They may use cybersex because they don't have time for real relationships. They may stress-eat.

Those with addictive personalities are most vulnerable during periods of heightened stress such as adolescence and times of transition. People who suffer from mental illnesses, emotional disorders, and personality disorders are highly prone to addiction as well. Without being aware that they have a condition, they may self-medicate to manage emotions using substances or behaviors to relieve whatever discomfort they may feel.

Nonconformists, non-achievers, and those with deviant personalities are also prime candidates for addiction. Many adult addicts report having been subjected to deprivation or overindulgence in their childhoods. Others report that they were negatively impacted by their parents' constant, unpredictable fluctuation between over-praise and over-criticism.

Addictions are unmanageable, excessive, and repetitive. The addiction activity begins harmlessly with a pleasurable experience, but over time more and more of the activity is needed to achieve the same effect. People become dependent on the high they get and find it difficult to stop the behavior. If deprived of their fix they will find a substitute. If forced to stop the behavior they will suffer physical or psychological symptoms of withdrawal that compel them to resume the addiction. Over time they lose the ability to cope with life without the addictive stimuli.

People with addictions will deny that what they're doing is detrimentally affecting them while work, family, and social relationships suffer and their health declines. Their desperation often lead them to take extremes in getting the fix, which ultimately creates financial and legal issues.

Addictions can be classified as hard or soft. Hard addictions, also known as substance addiction, are categorized by the rapid affect they have on many aspects of the person's behavior as well as the effect they have on everyone around him or her. Abuse of alcohol, barbiturates, and narcotics are usually the source of this type of addiction. This is different than substance abusers who use from time to time. Substance addicts spend every waking moment finding ways to buy and use drugs or alcohol.

With soft addictions the abuser uses activities that are harmless to most people. The consequences of those behaviors are not immediately felt. Cigarette smoking and coffee drinking are two commonly known examples of soft addictions. It is much easier to hide soft addictions and cover up the behaviors that result from them. But soft-addictions have the propensity to lead to more serious addictions down the road.

Gambling is another common example of a soft addiction. Gamblers with addictive personalities go through three stages. In the first phase, also known as the winning phase, the person has control over his or her behavior. The second stage is known as the losing phase. In this phase the person begins gambling alone, gambling large sums of money, and borrowing cash to pay off mounting debt. The third phase is called the desperation phase. In this phase the gambler engages in more risky, sometimes illegal behavior. In desperation he or she may borrow money from non conventional sources. Depression and attempted suicide are common in the third phase of gambling.

Other examples of soft addictions are eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive over-eating. Though there are other factors that contribute to this type of behavior, it can develop into pathological behavior that is very similar to addiction. The anorexic fixates on the goal of losing weight. Once the person begins dieting he or she finds it very hard to stop. Those with bulimia are after the same goal as those who are anorexic, but the mode of operation is different. Instead of limiting their diet they binge on large amounts of food and then purge it before their bodies have the chance to digest it. Compulsive eaters are not concerned with weight loss or weight gain, though the disorder often results in obesity. They have a compulsive urge to eat, whether hungry or not.

Something as beneficial as exercising can become a preoccupation or addiction to those who are predisposed to having one. Running is the most prevalent; runners are known to get a runner's high and can become dependent on it. This is attributed to mood-enhancing chemicals called endorphins that are released during exercise. An addiction occurs when the exercise activity is used as an escape or a coping mechanism. It's a problem when it becomes so excessive that the body suffers injury, and when it negatively impacts relationships.

Compulsive buying falls under the category of soft addictions. Those who do it are addicted to the buzz it gives them. It has nothing to do with what they are buying, it is simply their drug. They buy only for the sake of buying without ever intending to use it. Those with this disorder often suffer from other disorders such as depression, mood swings, and anxiety. Buying gives them temporary relief, but after they do it they feel heightened anxiety and intense guilt. One study showed that twenty percent of compulsive buyers suffer from an eating disorder as well.

The two newest additions to the soft-addiction category are Internet abuse and cell phone abuse. They are more prevalent in younger generations, though there is a significant number of older people who develop these addictions as well.

Those who have an Internet addiction, also known as pathological Internet use, find they cannot control their usage of it. They may be drawn to online games, social networking sites, or other online sites, and will spend an excessive amount of time there. The use becomes an addiction when withdrawal symptoms such as mood changes are suffered when they are away from it.

Some people become addicted to cyber relationships. A problem occurs when these relationships are used to avoid face to face, interpersonal interactions. This addiction can lead to social, psychological, and work or school problems.

A recent study shows that those who are addicted to cell phone use display behaviors very similar to those with addictive personalities-low self-esteem, approval seeking, insecurity. Cell phones have become indispensable in our lives, but they can reinforce the tendency of over-attachment for those with addictive personalities.

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Why People Are Going Postal

Have you ever been, or talked to someone who is clearly upset and when asked; "What's wrong?" insists that nothing is wrong?

The more you probe, the more they resist. There is clearly something wrong but they will not open up. You write it off as being emotionally closed and eventually give up. The problem is, you are asking them to open up in a way that they have for generations been bred not to do.

We have been taught that no one likes a grumpy or depressed person so never let your feelings out or people will dislike you. This is quite interesting because it dates back to the old testament. It is written; 'God does not enter a sad and heavy heart.' For 3000 years, we have been taught that we must be happy all the time, so humans as humans will do, ignore or hide the truth.

Unfortunately that does not mean you do not feel negative, but rather you will feel it and keep it inside, which requires you deny your feelings in order to get through the day. If your knee has been injured and you keep playing the sport without rest by ignoring the pain, you are only going to ruin your knee permanently.

Aside from the horrors of violent events in America, many less deadly 'going postal' events happen on a regular basis and I would like to present my opinion of why this is happening. Even if you do not explode in any major way, you may also be effected by the same problem.

The British expression; 'keep a stiff upper lip', means to never show your fear, or emotions (because the upper lip quivers when you are scared and they wanted the front line in battle to not show fear).

The USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and many of the British territories are hereditarily British and Judeo-Christian. There are many other cultures who will also be subject to the topic of this article and emotional containment.

Aside from holding in all your emotions, which is very unnatural and unhealthy, the catalyst behind the emotional explosions is the fast spreading concept that we should open emotionally and express our feelings. We are being told it is good and healthy to express our emotions as we feel them, but our deepest core from generations of cultural conditioning tells us that is absolutely taboo.

Being told that it is OK to open up, yet being bred to keep it all inside, people are exploding internally, holding it in, and eventually, explode externally. Meanwhile, the inner conflict causes immense stress which is resulting in mental as well as physical illness.

There is a Sufi story about a Sultan who insulted a very powerful mystic, who then put a curse on the Sultan that he could not pass gas. After two weeks the pain was growing unbearable and none of the Sultan's physicians could cure the problem. They told the Sultan he may die shortly if he keeps it all inside.

They brought the mystic to the Sultan who begged forgiveness. When asked how much he would give to be cured, the Sultan said; 'half my kingdom.' A deal was made and weeks of pain vented. The mystic told his friends to look upon the kingdom to which he now owned half and said; "All this, I purchased for the price of a fart."

We keep our emotions inside, holding them in fear that if we let out our true feelings we may cause everyone to flee. But on the other hand, we are enduring great pain by going against the natural human need to express our emotions. What would you give to be emotionally free?

A Nepalese friend who spent many years in Germany said that the problem with Westerners is that they keep everything inside. Every little thing that happens builds up until one day a small thing triggers an explosion and they get divorced. On the other hand, he and his wife yell and scream when they get upset, and having let it out at the moment, it instantly passes and they love each other without lingering thoughts. I have written about this problem in a recent article; Is Your Heart Closed Or Simply Preoccupied.

I doubt that every Nepalese is that way, although I am certain I am. This is emotional independence. To be free to express your emotions because you are not concerned with what anyone thinks or says about you. This is true freedom and the only way to have a happy, healthy life. Funny enough, with this freedom to express, anger, feeling insulted, and other negative emotions have become very rare events.

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Myths Surrounding Drug Abuse and Addiction

Misconceptions and wrong information often fuel drug abuse, leading to addiction. Despite being an emotional issue, drug addiction is mostly surrounded by conflicting views. Moreover, portrayal of the stereotypical drug addict in movies and television has given rise to a plethora of misconceptions which divert the reality, creating problems for both the addict and the society.

Due to the prevailing misrepresentations about addiction, many addicts have to let go of their hopes of sobriety. Some of the most common myths that go around about drugs and alcohol are:

Myth 1: A typical drug user is a vile creature

The stereotypical image of a drug user that one visualizes is of a shabby-looking criminal living in the poverty-stricken bad side of town. A person dependent on drugs has the habit of mouthing obscenities and does not spend time on personal hygiene. However, studies have shown that drug addiction is a mental illness that can change the brain chemistry as well as the memory processes.

Myth 2: There is no way out of drugs

The old saying that "a leopard does not change its spots" is certainly not applicable in this case. Many success stories have, time and again, proven that even those who are neck deep into drugs can also return to sobriety, provided they get proper treatment and care.

Myth 3: Relapse is part of recovery

Though true in certain cases, a number of individuals have successfully come out of their addiction problem after undergoing proper recovery process at a drug rehab facility. Due to the prevailing fear of relapse, people often give up the fight against compulsive and even uncontrollable drug use.

Myth 4: Only hardcore drug abusers need treatment

Many drug abusers usually hit the rock bottom before going to the rehab, but this is not a rule. Recovery happens at all stages of addiction. Those who hit the rock bottom have to lose everything and even face the risk of death before they make it to the rehab.

Myth 5: Addiction is a sign of moral weakness

Drug addiction is a chronic mental illness that can change the way a person's brain functions. Many a time, genetic predisposition also plays a major role in addiction, apart from other common factors, such as environmental, developmental, and other psychological factors. Thus, it is inappropriate to describe addiction as a reflection of one's moral character.

Myth 6: Anything prescribed by a doctor is safe

Many prescription drugs are highly addictive and powerful, with chemical structures identical to heroin. In fact, if prescription drugs are abused, they may become the gateway to heroin and other street drugs.

Myth 7: Only hard drugs are lethal, the others are not that bad

While heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine are infamous for their life-threatening consequences, there are numerous other substances or intoxicants that can cause addiction and dependence leading to several impaired body functions and other mental health-related disorders. Alcohol is a classic example of a socially accepted and popular substance which can be lethal if abused.

There is hope

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Worry As a Pandemic Problem

We humans are world class worriers. We worry about everything and everyone. We never seem to be at peace. Many times worry keeps us up at night.

So, we spend a lot of time worrying. Say we spend 2 hours a day worrying. That would mean that we spend 14 hours a week worrying. When we multiply that by fifty-two weeks that would mean that we spend 728 hours a year worrying. Over a lifetime of say 70 years, we worry well over 50,000 hours. Now that's a LOT of worry!

Worry can even make us ill because of the anxiety that it causes. Worry can cause car accidents because we are distracted when driving. Worry can cause families to break up and relationships to be strained. And worry can cause a lot of undue stress for us.

So, why do we worry?

We worry for all kinds of reasons. There is so much uncertainty in our world today. There is financial unrest and political upheaval. There are natural disasters and disease. There is job insecurity and mental illness. Yes, we do have a lot on our plates. But do we have to worry about everything or can we simply relax a bit?

Many of our worries stem from fear and anxiety. We have allowed ourselves to become fearful by what we watch, read and listen to. The evening news is great at making us worry warts.

We also live in constant fear of not having enough, yet we also fear what we consume, and we consume a lot every day. There seems to be a new report every week that tells us about the dangers of eating food our grandparents ate with gratitude.

In fact, it is in the interest of the food industry to exacerbate our anxieties about what to eat. Notice there is always a new product we should not be consuming because it is bad for our health.

Did you notice how many times the advertisers oscillate between whether coffee is good or bad for us? It really becomes a bit ridiculous. Yet, each time the advertisers say that we shouldn't drink coffee, we start worrying, especially if we are coffee drinkers.

How can we take ourselves out of this anxiety and worry state of mind?

Well here are a few tips to consider:

• Realize that worry is a habit. So, the more worry, the more we will worry. However, the opposite is also true-the less you worry the less you will worry.

• Unplug from social media a good 2 to 4 hours a day. This will help you to stop the anxiety from coming into your mind.

• Don't watch the evening news before bed. That way you will lessen your anxiety before bed.

• If you are overwhelmed by an anxiety, write it down. Sometimes, writing down your anxiety in a journal can help you unload it.

• Exercising can also ease anxiety and tension. The more you exercise, the better you will feel.

So, take steps to reduce your worry. You will definitely be happier and healthier as a result. Only we have the power to stop worry in its tracks. And who knows, you may even be a positive role model for someone else.

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