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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Understanding Substance Abuse in Women

Substance abuse affects men and women differently. Though men are more likely to get addicted to drugs or alcohol, women are more susceptible to suffering from its medical, social and legal consequences. Compared to men, women use these substances for different reasons and respond differently to them. Simply put, when it comes to abusing harmful substances and understanding their effects, gender does play an important role.

Many women also start abusing substances after being introduced to them via a partner or a friend. In addition to citing socio-economic pressures like gender bias in terms of salary and familial responsibilities, some women turn to substances for weight management issues as well. For instance, there are more women who smoke nicotine to keep their weight under control.

In addition to using addictive substances differently, their response is peculiar too. For example, as women are more likely to suffer from chronic pain and be prescribed more painkillers, they can quickly become dependent on prescription drugs than men with increased chances of doctor shopping, overdose and suicide. As per national statistics, overdose from prescription painkillers continues to be the most under-recognized and growing problem among women.

Women exposed to higher risks

Some of the issues that may lead to women abusing drugs or alcohol may include physical/sexual abuse, childhood trauma, stress and the inability to cope, socio-economic concerns and mental health issues. As a result, substance use disorders (SUD) may manifest differently in women. For instance, in addition to causing an addiction and painful withdrawal symptoms, it can impact a woman's reproductive cycle, create complications during pregnancy and even lead to an early onset of menopause. There's also a greater risk of an infant being born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a condition characterized by a set of problems when babies are exposed to drugs in the womb. While men can externalize their stress in the form of aggression and anger, women are more likely to internalize it leading to mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.

Women also tend to be more sensitive to the effects of drugs or alcohol for biological reasons. For instance, as compared to men, women achieve higher concentration of alcohol in their blood and become impaired quickly. They are also vulnerable to alcohol-related organ damage and trauma resulting from alcohol-related violence than their counterparts. Heavy drinking by females exposes them to the risk of breast cancer as well besides leading to other complications like heart disease and brain damage.

Need-specific diagnosis and treatment

Since there are many differences between men and women in terms of cause and effect, substance abuse treatment for women should address their unique needs, incorporate approaches that recognize the gender differences, provide additional support to mothers and use effective, evidence-based treatment for pregnant women. Stigma surrounding drug and alcohol addiction causes a significant barrier in seeking treatment, which should be taken into account as well. Women's role as mothers, caregivers and family role models add to their burden that can dissuade many from seeking professional help and improving their health.

One of the effective ways to deal with SUDs is to understand the reasons and the risk factors involved. Research indicates that as compared to men, women are less likely to get treatment due to the fear of losing friends or family, fear of embarrassment or shame or the fear of being punished by the authorities. There also needs to be ample community support to help them access health care services as early as possible. In addition to providing child care, family services and good prenatal care, there should also be an increased focus on increasing women's engagement in care. The treatment programs should incorporate one-to-one counseling or therapy, access to support groups as well as aftercare programs to help them achieve sobriety and avoid relapse.

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Beyond Addictions to Health, It's Not About Willpower

As we all know, many people in our country are suffering from obesity and major health issues. It's interesting to explore this in terms of intent.

When a person eats too much or eats junk, the intent is to control. The person is using food to suppress pain - to have control over not feeling painful emotions.

Wounded Self: Control Over Avoiding Emotional Pain

While most people would say that their health is important to them, and they might even say that without their health they have nothing, often something else is even more important - having control over avoiding emotional pain.

Health problems can certainly come from a variety of causes other than substance abuse, such as heredity, extreme childhood abuse, polluted air or accidents. But the chronic and degenerative diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and autoimmune diseases, are often the result of the abuse of food, nicotine, drugs or alcohol.

If a person says he or she wants to be healthy, but continues to eat badly, drink too much, smoke or take dangerous drugs, then obviously the part of this person who is in charge of their choices is more interested in avoiding feelings than in being healthy.

Our wounded self is always more interested in avoiding pain than in loving self-care. This is who the wounded self is - the part of us that wants to have control over feeling safe from pain. One of the reasons that we have such a high rate of obesity and chronic health problems is because, in most people, the wounded self is in charge.

I was a sickly child and I hated being sick. In my early twenties, I discovered the subject of nutrition and began to attempt to eat in a very healthy way. But because I didn't have a loving adult in charge of my eating, eating well was a huge challenge. I would write down everything I ate in the hopes of gaining control over my sugar and carbohydrate addiction. I would go from one diet to another in the hopes of losing weight and staying thin. I went from weight doctor to weight doctor to find the magic pill that would give me control over my weight and health. I would eat well for a while, and then suddenly I would binge on sugar and junk. I just couldn't seem to find the will power to consistently eat well.

Beyond Will Power To True Power

This went on for years, until Spirit brought us Inner Work and I began to develop my loving adult. Now I know that a consistent and devoted practice of Inner Bonding will eventually develop enough of a loving adult to truly care more about health than about avoiding pain. Now I know that learning how to manage and learn from painful feelings is the key to weight loss and health.

It is not about will power. The wounded self tries hard to have control by exerting will power, but always eventually fails. It IS about true power - the power of your higher self that comes through when you have a deep intent to learn about what creates health and wellbeing.

Each of us needs to decide which is more important - avoiding pain through our various addictions, or striving for excellent health. When you make the deep decision that creating a healthy body for your beautiful essence to live in is vitally important to you, you will discover the power that comes from Spirit, the power that enables you to let go of substance addictions, eat clean healthy food, and get daily exercise.

Ask yourself now which is more important to you - avoiding pain or creating excellent health? If you find yourself continuing your substance addictions, then you might want to explore why avoiding pain is more important than health and wellbeing.

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A Fitness Regimen Helps in Recovery From Substance Abuse

The fact that fitness is an all-important part of one's life is beyond any debate. Everybody knows the importance of following a fitness regimen to remain healthy. Now, a recent recovery program at the University of Kentucky has claimed that fitness during recovery from addiction helps patients recuperate quicker and gain sobriety faster.

The University of Kentucky's Adolescent Health and Recovery Treatment and Training clinic says that goal setting during fitness programs go a long way in helping patients of addiction recover smoothly.

Goal setting can form an integral part of recovery

Experts believe that setting goals form an integral part of a treatment plan for adolescents who are into substance abuse. Many psychiatry clinics for adolescent substance abuse accord credence to setting goals by participants.

Every week, when patients in these clinics set goals and when they manage to accomplish them, they are rewarded as a recognition of their achievements. This, in turn, propels their confidence level to a new high. Another important attribute and tool in such treatment programs is peer support. Some peer support specialists even live their experience so that they relate in a better way with the participants.

In such programs, fitness regimen is part of the goal setting, when participants set fitness goals and strive to achieve them. Depending on an individual's physical capabilities, fitness programs or goals are set which the participants try to accomplish as part of their recovery program. It leaves them exulted when they manage to accomplish the desired goals. Gyms and fitness centers are assigned to these recovering adolescents who also get a workout buddy in the form of a peer support specialist.

How it works

Groups of participants from these clinics along with clinicians and a peer specialist visit the local gyms for workout and conversation. Since the setting is outside the rehab clinic, it provides a relaxed atmosphere and there is greater camaraderie between clinicians and participants. The participants find it easy in opening up in gyms and this helps in the treatment. Here, the adolescents also feel comfortable in sharing their thoughts and the relaxed environment sets the tone for a casual conversation which is necessary for recovery. Adolescents can always find time to chat in between the runs on the treadmill.

Participants themselves look forward to such initiatives during recovery programs as they feel more energetic and excited about starting anew. They admit to feeling better about themselves after participating in such programs. These feelings are in sharp contrast to what they used to feel during active addiction. After attending such fitness programs, the participants also feel good about themselves which in turn encourages them to continue with the treatment and to stay miles away from addiction. Staying fit prevents adolescents from going back to addiction besides bringing in a host of other health benefits. Thus, these fitness programs can be the harbinger of a bright new life for patients of addiction.

Recovery from substance abuse

Substance abuse is a debilitating disease which can cripple even the strongest of people. Chronic addiction has snuffed out millions of lives globally. However, it can be cured with proper and timely intervention and one can regain a healthy life to start all over again. A healthy lifestyle can help in feeling rejuvenated, which can steer the patient away from the thoughts of addiction.

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Myths About Addiction

 

Common Myths About Substance Abuse

There are a lot of myths that get circulated around regarding substance abuse. These myths often perpetuate unfair and destructive beliefs about people who live in active addiction and those who are in recovery. When society can get rid of the stigma and shame surrounding addiction, people can move forward to live happy and healthy lives in recovery.

Drug Use is Voluntary

Some people believe that those who engage in drug abuse are acting strictly from choice. The truth of the matter is a bit more complicated. While it is true that people who first start using drugs often do so out of choice-over time that is not the case. As people continue to use drugs, they will rewire an individual's brain and render him or her unable to make the choice whether to use or not.

That said, people who live in active addiction will do whatever it takes to satisfy their need for the drug. This is known as the disease model of addiction. Specifically, drug addiction is a chronic disease that does not have a cure. People who have an addiction will need to work the rest of their lives in order to live in freedom.

Drug Addiction Only Impacts Poor People

Everybody can face a drug addiction, not just the poor. However, drug addiction often takes people who are wealthy or well off and makes them poor. This happens because people who are otherwise in good shape financially will start to take risks in order to obtain their drugs. These risks could impact their financial standing and lead them down the road toward poverty.

However, it's important to remember that anybody can find themselves facing addiction. It doesn't discriminate. Addiction happens do to a confluence of factors, but the bottom line is that it can happen to anyone.

Only People Who Want Treatment Will Receive Effective Treatment

It's rare to find people who actually want treatment. People generally seek out treatment because they were ordered to by the court or their family member begged them to get help. However, no matter the reason why someone goes in, people who enter a drug treatment facility have a great chance of getting the help they need and setting on the path of recovery.

Also, once in a drug treatment facility, people who otherwise wouldn't want treatment might come around to the idea when they see how it can benefit their lives.

Drug Addiction is a Character Flaw

This is one of the most persistent and damaging myths that surrounds drug addiction. It is simply not true that people who have an addiction possess some sort of character flaw. Drug addiction is a brain disease. It is something that rewires the way a person thinks and it doesn't discriminate-it impacts anyone. One of the main ingredients of developing an addiction is trauma and trauma doesn't necessarily happen to bad people. People's behavior might change in reaction to their brain's changing due to addiction, but that does that make them bad people, just sick with addiction.

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What Leads to Substance Abuse?

What makes someone decide to take the plunge into the world of chemicals? Is it desperation, anger, loneliness or plain and simple ignorance?

"But why did you do it in the first place?", a question that pops into your mind every time you see your loved ones struggling with their addiction at a substance abuse treatment facility. It is perfectly alright to ask this question; after all, how would you be able to help end the addiction if you don't know what started it? Mostly people take drugs because they want to change something about themselves or their lives, alcohol and drugs seem like a solution to them but eventually, the solution becomes the problem.

A lot of researchers have tried to figure out the reason behind the inception of this deadly habit and after talking to several people who have been through the ups and downs of substance abuse, an anti-drug organization Foundation for a Drug-Free World has come up with a list of probable reasons behind why one chooses to walk down the dark road.

• To fit in: "Everyone is doing it", more often than we realize this kind of statement is the subtle hint of peer pressure. Many young people lack the social skill of making friends or fitting in a group and they would just about do anything to feel accepted and have a cool group of their own. Unfortunately if they come across a group which is already involved in drug/substance abuse, it is more likely that they would also give in rather than taking a stand all to fit in.

• To escape or relax: Everybody has got troubles of their own that they deal with on a daily basis, but sometimes it becomes too much for them. While some of us try to look for a break by going for a vacation or taking a few days off; others choose the high of alcohol, drugs or other substances to take their mind off the problem. It starts slowly maybe once a month but slowly and steadily the person starts getting dependent on the high. Every time he feels pressurized, he turns towards the high looking for an escape and before he realizes it, that temporary high becomes a permanent need.

• To relieve boredom: One of the major factors in drug abuse in teens and young adults is boredom. Most of the time when they have extra free time at hand or no hobbies and interests to keep us occupied, they start looking for exciting things to do and drinking/ smoking up or drugs seems like a good idea. They think that they have strong will power and may quit any time they want to but the sad reality is once you get hooked up you cannot 'just stop' without professional help; in fact trying to go 'cold turkey' may even prove to be fatal.

• To seem grown up: When teenagers and young adults see their friends or family getting involved with alcohol or drugs, even if it is something as casual as social drinking; they start to think they even they can handle it. It becomes easier for them to rationalize it by thinking stuff like 'Everybody drinks during the Sunday family get-together so, why I can't?' even the modern music and entertainment seems to be filled with references to drugs making the youngsters believe that it's Okay to try it

sometimes. This 'sometimes' pushes them slowly and steadily towards addiction.

• To rebel: Most parents warn their kids and ask them to stay away from drinking, smoking and other substance abuse but more often than not, these warnings have just the opposite effect. Kids start feeling pressurized and try to look for ways to lash out or rebel against their parents. Smoking or drinking starts seeming like excellent ideas to them and they underestimate that this may severely backfire on them and they might end up becoming addicted.

• To experiment: We have often heard that 'drugs boost creativity', this, is a lie. In fact alcohol/substance abuse causes just the opposite. It alters one's thinking capacity and brain functions in such a way that they are unable to focus on anything other the need to get their high. As time passes, their tolerance increases and they start looking for new ways trying to get the euphoric feeling of being high. Most of the time this pulls a person deeper into the darkness of addiction. All this sucks a person dry of their logical thinking and also drains them of their creativity. Their experiment to get more creative backfires on them.

It is very easy for teenagers and young adults to get into the habit of alcohol/substance abuse without thinking about the long-term consequences. What we need to understand is that alcohol or drug dependency hampers one's normal brain functions and they are unable to see and understand logic the way we do. Hence, it is imperative that we look out for the slightest signs and make sure that we always stay by their side whenever they need support. Fortunately, it is possible to get help at the right rehab and help your loved ones get their life back on track; all you need to do is be alert to the signs.

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