Addictive behaviour occurs when a substance, activity, or behaviour becomes the main focus of an individual’s life, resulting in physical, mental, or social harm to themselves or others. It is possible for a person to become addicted to or dependent on anything. So what addiction characteristics indicate when a person has become an addict? Read on to find out the most common characteristics of addiction and substance use disorder that indicate you or someone you love is going down a slippery slope.
First of All, What is Addiction?
A person with an addiction does not have any control over what they are doing, using, or taking because their brain chemistry changes as their addiction or substance abuse progresses. Their addiction may have reached a point where it has become harmful, and they are starting to display typical characteristics of drug abusers. Addictions are not just limited to physical things that we consume, such as alcohol or drugs, but may include practically anything, such as gambling, sex, and food. Addiction can refer to either a substance dependence, such as with drug addiction, or a behavioural addiction like gambling, sex, or internet.
In the past, the term addiction was used to solely indicate psychoactive substances that cross the barrier between the body and the brain to temporarily alter the brain’s chemical balance. These would include tobacco, alcohol and some drugs, which all share the characteristic of flooding the brain with feel-good neurotransmitters that stimulate a euphoric response and a craving for more. Nowadays, a significant number of psychologists and healthcare professionals insist that psychological dependency, such as with smart phone, sex, gambling, work, should be considered as addictions as well since they also cause feelings of shame, guilt, failure, despair, anxiety, hopelessness and humiliation.
When an individual becomes addicted to something, they start to become dependent on it and need to keep repeating the activities of taking the drug, drinking alcohol, or engaging in compulsive behaviour despite the negative consequences these behaviours bring. This is often when characteristics of drug abuse will start to appear.
The Most Common Characteristics of Addiction
Traits of an addict aren’t related to personality traits, but behavioural changes that occur as a result of addiction’s effects on the brain. Some of the most common characteristics of addiction include:
1. The individual cannot stop taking the substance
Oftentimes, such as with alcohol or drug dependence, a person has seriously attempted to give up their addiction at least once, though unsuccessfully. Addiction characteristics can also include the presence of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when a person attempts to quit.
2. Health problems do not stop their addiction
Characteristics of a drug addict include when the person keeps taking the substance as usual, despite having developed illnesses connected to it. For example, an alcohol addict may keep drinking even after finding out they have a liver disease, or drug users may continue their use even after unhealthy weight loss.
3. Giving up recreational and/or social activities
Addiction can cause some people to give up or not become involved in activities. For example, an internet addict may choose not to go camping if they know they won’t have internet access. Likewise, an alcoholic may avoid long trips where they know they will not have access to alcohol.
4. Keeping a steady supply
Individuals who are addicted to a substance will always have enough of it around, regardless of the amount of money they have to ensure that they have a good supply readily available.
5. Saving stashes
Another one of the characteristics of drug addiction is the need to stockpile. Addicted people tend to keep small stashes of their substance hidden away in various locations, such as throughout their house or in their car.
6. Risky behaviour
Sometimes, the addicted person may engage in risky behaviour to ensure they can get their substance of choice, such as by trading sex for drugs or money and stealing. On the other hand, an addict who is under the influence of substances may engage in risky activities like reckless driving.
7. Excessive consumption
With some addictions, like alcohol and certain drugs, an addict may consume it to excess. This can result in physical symptoms or blackouts, where they cannot remember anything for a certain amount of time.
8. Dealing with issues
An addicted individual often feels that they cannot deal with their problems without their drug of choice so they often abuse the substance as a way to self-medicate, another one of the common characteristics of drug addiction.
9. Obsessing
An addicted individual may spend increasingly more time and energy thinking of ways they can get more of their substance, or even other ways they can use it.
10. Secrecy and denial
Many addicts take their substance on their own as well as without anyone knowing about it, including family members. If anyone confronts them about their using, they either refuse to acknowledge or are not aware that they have a problem.
11. Having troubles with the law
Addicts may run into problems with the law due to the risks that they take when they are using due to impaired judgement. Or they may break the law in order to obtain their drug of choice.
12. Financial problems
Take the First Step at The Dawn Rehab Thailand
Does someone you care about display some of these characteristics of addiction? If so, it is advisable to get an assessment to determine if they are at risk and could benefit from one of the many treatment programs available. Contact The Dawn today to receive a no-obligation assessment to find out how we can help. You can also call us on one of our numbers to learn more about our highly personalised and effective addiction treatment plan.
Q: What are traits of addiction?
A: 1. The individual cannot stop taking the substance
2. Health problems do not stop their addiction
3. Giving up recreational and/or social activities
4. Keeping a steady supply
5. Saving stashes
6. Risky behaviour
7. Excessive consumption
8. Dealing with issues
9. Obsessing
10. Secrecy and denial
11. Having troubles with the law
12. Financial problems
13. Relationship issues
Q: What are characteristics of drug abuse?
A: When an individual becomes addicted to something, they start to become dependent on it and need to keep repeating the activities of taking the drug, drinking alcohol, or engaging in compulsive behaviour despite the negative consequences these behaviours bring. This is often when characteristics of drug abuse will start to appear.
Q: What are the most important characteristics of a drug?
A: In the past, the term addiction was used to solely indicate psychoactive substances that cross the barrier between the body and the brain to temporarily alter the brain’s chemical balance. These would include tobacco, alcohol and some drugs, which all share the characteristic of flooding the brain with feel-good neurotransmitters that stimulate a euphoric response and a craving for more.
Q: What is the key characteristic of addiction?
A: A person with an addiction does not have any control over what they are doing, using or taking because their brain chemistry changes as their addiction or substance abuse progresses. Their addiction may have reached a point where it has become harmful, and they are starting to display typical characteristics of drug abusers.
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