Addiction And Personality Disorders
Substance abuse and dependence (alcoholism, drug addiction) are merely one manifestation of a pattern of repeated and self-defeating misconduct. Individuals develop addictions to a variety of activities, including gambling, shopping, the Internet, and dangerous and life-threatening endeavors. There are numerous adrenaline junkies.
Chronic anxiety, pathological narcissism, depression, obsessive-compulsive characteristics, alcoholism, and drug misuse are all associated with one another and are frequently encountered in psychiatric treatment. However, not all narcissists, compulsive gamblers, depressives, and nervous individuals seek solace in the bottle or needle.
Frequently made claims of identifying a gene complex responsible for alcoholism have been repeatedly refuted. Berman and Noble proposed in 1993 that addictive and reckless behaviors are emerging phenomena that may be associated with more fundamental characteristics such as novelty seeking or risk taking. Psychopaths (those with antisocial personality disorder) have an abundance of both characteristics. As a result, we would anticipate them to engage in heavy alcohol and drug misuse. Indeed, as Lewis and Bucholz established conclusively in 1991, they do. Even yet, psychopaths make up a tiny fraction of drinkers and drug addicts.
It has been established that the majority of addicts have a narcissistic personality. Addictions have a function for him. They elevate him beyond the mundane's laws and pressures and away from reality's humbling and somber demands. They make him the focus of attention, but also isolate him from the maddening and inferior mob in "splendid isolation."
These obligatory and crazy pursuits act as a psychological exoskeleton. They provide as an alternative to ordinary lives. They establish an agenda for the narcissist, complete with deadlines, goals, and fabricated accomplishments. The narcissist—the adrenaline junkie—experiences a sense of control, alertness, excitement, and vitality. He does not view his condition as dependent on anything. The narcissist is adamant that he is in control of his addiction and that he can quit at any time and without warning.