Definition of an Addictive Personality

Addictive behaviors are typically associated with activities that diminish a person's ability to function. These types of addictions can involve drugs, alcohol, sex or gambling. However, someone who has an addictive personality may have nothing to do with any of these substances or activities, but will exhibit similar behavioral traits just the same.

Identification

• Addictive personalities are easy to spot in the cases of a drug addict or an alcoholic, but not all addictions are so easily categorized. Any behavior that's carried out in a compulsive manner can over time become a type of addiction. A behavior becomes an addiction when other areas of a person's life suffer as a result. This can include work performance, social relationships or a person's overall health and well-being. Personalities prone towards this type of behavior can share common characteristics.

Brain Processes

• Behind every addictive behavior lies a brain process that greatly contributes to the attachment a person forms with the behavior. Reward centers within the brain secrete certain "feel good" chemicals that contribute to how a person experiences a behavior. Whether it's a physical substance like alcohol, or an activity like running or watching television, the same chemical processes come into play in an addiction. This physical-behavioral connection develops over time, meaning the need for a substance or activity will increase in order to elicit the same physical effects on the brain and body.

Function

• As a result of the brain processes involved, addictive personalities will exhibit similar behaviors regardless of their substance, or activity of choice. Changes in emotion or mood are typically the result of indulging in the behavior. In the absence of the substance or activity, a person may suffer withdrawal symptoms such as a change in mood, motivation or her ability to focus and concentrate. A person may crave, or look forward to indulging in the activity, meaning the activity has become a significant motivation in her life.

Types

• Consuming drugs, alcohol, and large amounts of food; running; watching television; playing video games; and working are all activities that can be associated with addictive tendencies. And while certain activities may have worse immediate effects on the quality of a person's life, any addictive tendency can affect a person's life in adverse ways. "Hard" addictions are those associated with substances like cocaine, heroine and alcohol, whereas "soft " addictions run more along the lines of running, watching television or working. The distinguishing characteristic between an enjoyable activity and an addiction depends on the degree to which a person depends on it within his everyday life.

Effects

• Someone with an addictive personality will typically use the addiction as a coping mechanism to deal with stress or internal conflict. If the stressor or conflict remains, the need to engage in the activity may increase. As a result, other areas of a person's life may suffer, or be neglected, as the addiction grows. It's not uncommon for a person to deny the effects of the addiction when confronted. The physical high, or emotional relief experienced when engaging in the activity can make any resulting complications seem insignificant in comparison.