How to Battle Addictive Personality

Dr. Stephen Mason with the Psychology Today blog estimates that approximately 10 to 15 percent of the population of the Earth has an addictive personality. Though many people have habits, people with addictive personalities cannot control their habits; they pursue them to excess. If you have an addictive personality, there are things you can do to battle your addictive personality and get your addictions under control.

Instructions

• 1

  Identify the underlying cause of your addiction. An addictive personality is not the only thing that makes someone turn to alcohol, chocolate, or gambling in excess. Two alcoholics, for example, may abuse alcohol for different reasons--one to ease psychological pain and the other to feel a euphoric high. To battle addiction, you first have to identify the reason you pursue that addiction. If you visit online chat rooms excessively, for instance, it may be a result of your fear of social situations in the real world. In this case, you can work with a psychologist to treat your social anxieties and help you reduce your need to visit chat rooms in the future. Dealing with the underlying problem can help appease your addictive personality and tone down your need for the addictive substance or behavior.

• 2

  Work on developing a positive outlook on life. If you feel happy or content with your life, you will be less likely to turn to addictions to fulfill you. Focus on finding positive things about yourself, and remind yourself of those positive attributes whenever you start to feel a pull toward your addictions. Find an enjoyable activity you can do with friends or family, or ask someone close to you to be a support for you when you feel the need to return to your addictions.

• 3

  Do not replace one addiction with another. Some people think that they can stop their drug addiction by turning to religion; however, religion can be an addictive element in and of itself. So if you stop doing drugs but you start obsessively attending church multiple times per week, you haven't done anything to help your addictive personality. You have simply switched the focus of your addiction. Remember that even healthy practices, such as jogging or counting calories, can become harmful if they are practiced in excess. Focus on incorporating moderation into your routine to replace your former obsessions.

• 4

  Seek help from a rehabilitation center or counselor. For an addiction to be legitimate, it must interfere with your life or your health. If this is the case in your situation, you need to seek help to eliminate that addiction from your life. In particular, certain addictions (such as illegal drugs or alcohol) can cause you significant harm; find a rehabilitation program to help you rid yourself of that addiction before it takes over your life or ends it.