Posted by banga on January 19, 2005, at 11:00:17
In reply to addictive personality? please define » banga, posted by CareBear04 on January 18, 2005, at 20:03:13
Hi there!
Let me clarify things a little. The term "addictive personality" is not an official diagnosis. This is a term that some pop psychologists use to describe people who tend to pick something-whether a substance, or exersise, or food, or work--and overdo it--they need more and more, and it interferes with life. It is a controversial theory that there are "addictive personalities".What we talk about "addiction" or "addict". we mean specifically a problem with alcohol, drugs, marihuana, etc. The official modern term is "chemical dependency." this then specifies it is a drug or alcohol that one is addicted to.
Dependence (addiction) to a substance means having three of the following:
1) tolerance--you need more and more to get the same effect
2) withdrawal--negative physical consequences if you stop, or you take more of the substance to aviod the withdrawal
3) substance is often taken in larger amounts than intended
4) there is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down
5)you spend lots of time trying to get more of the substance, or using it (ex. chain smoking), or recovering from periods of withrawal.
6) you start to give up social or occupational actvities because of your addiction
7) You continue to use it even though you know it harms your body and mental health.So you see via the "official" guidelines, withdrawal and fear of withdrawal is only part of the problem--there is also increased tolerance, and it disturbs/takes over your life in a bad way.
This is what pdocs fear will happen for people who have once been chemically dependent (addicted) to one thing--they may have a biological vulnerability to also become addicted to another strong substance(like a barbituate), because it is shown by studies that they are vulnerable to such "cross-addiction". Chemical Dependency is NOT a personality trait, it is a disease, just as mental illness is---a screw-up in your biology, your brain has an abnormal response to a drug/alcohol, leading to addiction.
BUT remember this is a formal definition--many people have asked on this board--aren't I addicted if I have withdrawal symptoms, and fear that I can't do without my med? It is a good question. But TECHNICALLY for it to become a true addiction, it would mean you take more and more and more, even if it hurts your life in some way (you withdraw from people, stop caring for yourself, break your bank account buying more and more....)
So using a softer definition, many meds can be addictive-including antidepressants which docs swear are not addictive, etc.
Where I would worry is if you start feeling you need more and more, are taking more than the prescribed amount, and it starts negatively influencing your life. That is then a dangerous situation.
poster:banga
thread:443552
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050119/msgs/444182.html