Drug addiction alcoholism treatment alcohol abuse

Personality Traits of an Alcoholic or Drug Addict

While these characteristics may also occur in non-addicted people, they are exaggerated and uncontrolled for alcoholics and drug addicts.

Low frustration and low tolerance seem to be the most consistent traits. They are the inability to endure, for any length of time, any uncomfortable circumstance or feeling. The alcoholic or drug addict is impatient.

Anxiety is a state which seems to exist in all people however, it exists in an exaggerated way in alcoholics and drug addicts. They are subject to nameless dreads and fears. This anxiety drives alcoholics and drug addicts to “fight or flight.” Sometimes this is called free-floating anxiety. 

Grandiosity is worn as protective armour to hide feelings of low self-esteem. In reality, although addicts nourish an inflated image of themselves, their deep conviction is one of self-worthlessness.

Perfectionism sets impossible goals with inevitable failures and resultant guilt. The alcoholic/addict in many ways is an idealist.

Justification is something that alcoholics and drug addicts are masters at. Justification is the science of arranging to do what we want to do, then making it appear reasonable.

Isolation and deep insecurity deprive the addict of the real generosity needed to make close and enduring friendships. They become loners.

Sensitivity exaggerates all the unpleasant interpersonal relationships experienced by the addicted person. This inevitably produces extreme resentment.

Impulsiveness is “I want what I want when I want it.” This is most likely related to a low frustration tolerance. In some ways the addict takes pride in this impulsiveness, as though it were a valuable asset. The alcoholic/addict can’t seem to enjoy a job or task and is already moving on to something else long before completion.

Defiance is a common response to society as a whole, whether the addict is under the influence or not. This is associated with a feeling that one does not fit, exactly, into society.

Dependence on other people exists in an exaggerated form in most alcoholics and drug addicts. 

Families also share common traits.

One of the world’s leading experts on family and addiction and Renascent’s Director of Family Program Development, Dr. Robert Ackerman has identified seven dimensions of addiction that happen in almost all families.

1. Perceived isolation. The most important word here is perceived. Families believe no one else knows what they’re going through, that no one else will understand. It’s people’s perception of their isolation which keeps millions from asking for help.
2. Inconsistency. Families are often inconsistent with taking care of themselves, or understanding there’s help available for them even if the addict doesn’t go for help.
3. Self-condemnation. Sometimes in an addicted family, people are tough on themselves. They wind up blaming themselves, or accepting blame for things they didn’t do.
4. Control needs. Families find themselves trying to assert more and more control over what’s happening in their family, often because they feel things are spinning out of control.
5. Approval needs. Looking for approval from other people that they’re doing the right thing is very common in addicted families. And sometimes the most ironic aspect is that families look for approval from the addict who isn’t making rational decisions. The family continues to seek approval in the hopes that they can calm the addict down.
6. Rigidity. Most families get locked into doing things in just one way. They are afraid to reach out. They are afraid to ask for help, or to do things differently. And rigidity keeps families from asking for help.
7. Fear of failure. Families are afraid the person might not recover.  Maybe they’re afraid to even ask for help. When families work through fear, they often find their fears were mythical. Sometimes what families fear most is what they’ll find out about themselves. But the final and most important thing about fear is people need to overcome it to ask for help. 

If these traits sound familiar, call 1-866-232-1212 and ask Renascent for help.