Addictions

An addiction—a persistent need to consume a substance or commit an is distinct from a compulsion, which is an overwhelming and irresistible impulse to act. Usually, a compulsive act is preceded by obsessive, intrusive thoughts that compel the person to act, whereas an addiction is more of a habit that is not necessarily accompanied by obsessive thinking. An individual experiencing either addiction or compulsions may find it helpful to speak to a mental health professional.

Identifying Signs and Symptoms

Compulsive behaviors include chronic gambling, substance abuse, sexual addictions, unrestrained shopping and spending, hoarding, excessive exercising, Internet gaming, eating issues, and other behaviors. Any compulsive behavior can become an addiction when the act is no longer able to be controlled and impairs a person’s ability to function socially, academically, and professionally. The distinction between “addiction” and “compulsion” can sometimes become unclear, as a person might think frequently about the object of the addiction, and it may become near-compulsive to pursue the addictive behavior.

Determining whether a habitual behavior has become problematic begins with evaluating the benefits associated with the activity and the feelings and beliefs surrounding it. The distinction between a passionate hobby and a compulsive behavior may be difficult to discern. For example, is running 10 miles every day—rain, shine, or snowstorm—an addiction, or is it good athletic discipline? Is a monthly trip to Vegas to play the slots a gambling problem, or just an escape from daily life? Addiction or compulsivity may be indicated when the behavior results in feelings of distress, guilt, or shame or when abstaining from the behavior provokes anxiety or proves to be impossible.

Symptoms that suggest a compulsive behavior has become problematic include:

• Interpersonal and professional relationship problems

• Concealment of the behavior

• Denial of a problem

• Inability to stop the behavior

• Alternating feelings of anxiety, confusion, shame, or elation that revolve around the behavior

• Withdrawal from or a lack of enjoyment in other activities

• Desire only for the company of others who pursue the activity or, to the opposite extreme, the urge to conduct the activity only in isolation

• Fear surrounding the potential repercussions associated with discontinuing the activity

Therapy For Addiction and Compulsons?

Compulsive behaviors and addictions may provide a person with a sense of power, euphoria, confidence, validation, or other feelings that may otherwise be lacking in their lives. Psychotherapy is designed to help people identify uncomfortable feelings and sources of distress in order to change and grow. People who struggle with compulsivity and addiction are unlikely to conquer those behaviors unless they work to address the underlying causes of their addictive and/or compulsive behaviors, such as trauma, stress, past abuse, and others.

Working with a therapist is one of the most effective treatments for managing compulsive behaviors and addictions, and there are many types of therapy suited to addressing behaviors that a person may want to change. A person is likely to achieve the most benefit from consulting with a therapist who is qualified to address the particular area of addiction or compulsion experienced, as well as the underlying cause of the issue. For example, a person who uses drugs to dull the intensity of posttraumatic stress may benefit from treatment for PTSD as well as drug addiction, but resolving the PTSD may also help significantly with treatment for the addiction. Self-help, support groups, and 12-step programs may also facilitate recovery from addiction and compulsivity.

What is an Addictive Personality?

While it is not uncommon to hear people say they have an “addictive personality,” meaning they believe they become addicted to things easily, this so-called addictive personality is not an actual psychiatric diagnosis, and the idea itself may be something of a myth. Personality is a very complex concept. Each individual's personality is comprised of many different factors, and scientific research has not yet discovered any shared personality trait that is common among all of those with an addiction. Those who experience addiction display as wide a range of character facets as those who do not experience addiction. 

While there is no single addictive personality, there are some factors, some of them components of personality, that have been proven to correlate with addiction. Research shows that genetic role in addiction. Scientists estimate that 50% of any person’s likelihood of developing an addiction is determined

their genetic makeup. The environment that is also thought to play a significant role: a person who is never exposed to a substance can never try it and thus will be unable to become addicted to it. Impulsivity is another factor can influence the development of an addiction, as people with an addiction tend to also exhibit impulsivity at higher rates.