Just what is an addictive personality? Is there such a thing? Alcohol treatment in New Jersey addresses alcohol abuse. As far an addictive personality, there is no one personality type that becomes addicted. It is a myth. However, there are some traits that are present, with a higher risk towards addiction; a person may have these factors:
- Person is related to others who are addicted
- Co-existing mental health issues
- Risk-taking
- Disconnected
- Obsessive and compulsive
- Apathetic
- Fail at self-regulation
Since personalities are very complex, there is no one “addictive personality,” according to medical authorities. Many people can have a cocktail or beer and not fall into the well of addiction; it is thought that those who do become addicted do so because of a personality flaw. There are some things that science has learned, and one is that there could be a genetic factor to addiction. Other factors include friends you associate with, your education, social support and the environment in which you grew up. Just by asking whether addictive personalities can be treated, you are reaching for the first step in learning about yourself and traveling on the path to recovery.
There is No One Addictive Personality
One can be addicted to television, social media, chocolate cake, running and many other things. Addiction to drugs or alcohol, however, is a cause of concern because becoming passionate about a harmful substance leads to problems health-wise, socially and emotionally and sometimes financially.
The myth of the addictive personality is just that; it is false thinking based on generalizations. Instead, when a person enters an alcohol treatment program, the whole person is treated, from the first day at detox to the exposure to multiple therapies. You will meet with a counselor who discusses your history and build a treatment program for your issues relating to alcohol abuse. Your treatment may be followed by 12-step programs and AA.
A range of therapies may be recommended to treat your particular alcohol problem. Helping the addict to take control of his thoughts, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has shown to be effective in treating addiction. Self-sabotaging thinking is the fuel through which substance abuse grows, and the alcoholic learns to confront these patterns and cope with dysfunction in his daily life. Without emphasizing the past, this type of therapy focuses on the present.
Talking with his counselor, a trained therapist, negative thoughts and emotions are let go, enabling a more positive behavior and ability to recover. Some of the benefits of this type of therapy include:
- Help in solving relationship problems
- Building of coping skills
- Handle emotions more easily and in a healthier manner
- Ability to deal more effectively with stress
- Strengthen communication skills
- Aid with coping with medical issues
- Prevent relapse of mental illness
Many of these issues get worse without treatment, and an alcoholic deals with them through self-medication with alcohol. CBT is a short, but intensive, therapy when compared to other psychotherapies. Length of treatment may depend on how long the alcohol addiction has been going on, the level of symptoms, stress levels faced by the patient and the level of support experienced through friends and family. Resilience, relaxation, coping skills, assertiveness and skills for stress management are all part of the CBT process.
Other therapies may be used in our NJ treatment center that can help you heal from addictive behavior. Mindfulness, physical exercise therapy and art and music therapy are other therapies that have been used along with CBT. You will undergo a complete evaluation and then have a treatment program customized to your needs and issues. Caring professional counselors will be there for you.
Ready to begin?
Don’t let alcohol abuse control your life. Now that you know that “addictive personalities” are not the subject of treatment but certain tendencies and habits will benefit from self-knowledge and expression, you may want to know more. Give us a call at 833-610-1174 in New Jersey to discuss how our alcohol treatment center can help you get on the path to sobriety and a better life with a more positive lifestyle. Our counselors are here 24/7 to help you get started, so begin your journey towards recovery.