PERSONALITY AND DRUG ADDICTION
How many people reading
this book have worried about the possibility that they or a loved one may have an "addictive
personality"? Although this
concept is a favorite of some drug-abuse treatment professionals, psychology classes, and self-help books, there seems
to be little agreement about what an
addictive personality is. Furthermore, the personality type prone to substance abuse changes with the times. In years gone
by, the obsessive-compulsive
personality was described as prone to drug abuse. Today, there is concern that risk-taking and
impulsive people are more likely to
develop substance-use problems. Many of these theories probably have a grain of truth to them. For example, if a person is
uninhibited about trying new
experiences, including those that are risky, he may be more likely to take drugs the first time. So, the risk of
addiction in these people might rise
from the greater likelihood that they will experiment with drugs. As with genetic arguments, it is
important to remember that such
traits do not condemn a person to drug addiction. Many risk takers channel their energies into daring activities like
bungee jumping.
