Alcohol Abuse Advice

Addictions – A Loss of Freedom

The Addictive Personality People with additive personalities have enormous loads to bear. They know it, fear it and feel incapable of standing up to addiction whether it’s gambling, alcohol, food, drugs, sex or the internet. Numerous studies have been publicized by the most brilliant minds in the medical profession on the subject of addiction. Yet, recidivism rates seem staggering. At the core of most addictive personalities is self-destructive behavior that destroys entire lives. Not All Addictions Are Alike Depending on the type of addiction, in the case of drugs and alcohol, the abuser on a conscious level, believes strongly drugs and alcohol are harmless. Attempting to educate drug and alcohol abusers on their addiction usually results in denial. This is a mental process by which the addicted personality refuses to face realities. The realities are, in their minds, too harsh to endure. The comfort derived from drugs and alcohol while under the influence far overshadows desires for personal acknowledgment of the harm that’s being done physically and mentally. In a convoluted dimension, the addicted are affected chemically by drugs or alcohol to the point of damage to their mental state. Food, sex and internet addictions, though not chemically mind altering, nonetheless are compulsive/obsessive behaviors. What is the singular link in addictive personalities? It would seem to be the perception of “something missing”. A void, perhaps, that requires fulfillment emotionally, physically and mentally. Avoiding the Issue of Mental Illness in Addictions Observing addictive personalities in later stages of their addictions clearly shows tendencies toward mental imbalances. Few human beings ever willingly admit to mental illness. Addicts are no less terrorized by the possibility of addiction as a mental illness. Drugs and alcohol alter personalities, behaviors and cognizance. In the final stages of addiction, the individual lacks personal self-control and becomes controlled chemically. Mental illness is also a part of food, sex and internet addictions. Realities can no longer be relied upon to assist in making sound judgments. Instead, addicts are consumed by their addiction needs. The instant reaction to the suggestion of mental illness in addiction is immediately denied. The reason for this is that addicts know inherently that their behaviors are driven from outside their own free will. Addicts have lost the power of the personal free will others easily know and understand. Free will acts as our guide to how we behave, how we make decisions and how we accept responsibility for our actions. This sense of loss of free will or at best, distortions of free will is suspected by addicts to be loss of mental capacity. No Easy Answers While there appears to be no easy answers to growing addictive personalities, there can be more education on the subject of addiction for non-addicts. The degree of addiction and dependency will necessitate a decision on whether or not it is time to seek professional help.