Alcoholic Personality: Are You Born With A Tendency For Alcohol Abuse?

Some people view alcoholism as a disease that is based in genetics. Others think that some people have an alcoholic personality and are prone to drinking because of other factors.

Both schools of thought may be correct and the truth is many alcoholics have personality traits in common that seem to increase the chances that a person will become an alcoholic. Usually there is an underlying reason a person drinks, and these reasons may be based on a personality trait that does not allow a person to properly cope with problems or makes them easily frustrated.

The following personality traits are common among alcoholics and either can cause or support their dependence on alcohol.

Justification

Alcoholics will usually try to justify their drinking or find reasons or excuses why they drink. Once they have a reason, they will justify it and find a way to make it seem acceptable, even though it is not. They do not realize that their logic is off; they believe that their drinking is ok and rationally justifiable.

Isolation

People who are insecure and have a problem relating to others may turn to alcohol as a way to deal with their insecurities. People who cannot form close friendships are also at a greater risk of becoming alcoholics because there is no one in their life to realize that they have a problem and try to help.

Sensitivity

Overly sensitive individuals may have a hard time dealing with their problems or may spend more time obsessing over things normal people would just let go. These feelings can cause a person to seek other means of coping, through alcohol, and will make it harder for them to accept help as they can easily become resentful and angry.

Dependence

People who are over dependent on people, objects, or other things to get through life are at a greater risk on becoming dependent on alcohol. They will see alcohol as the thing that they need to get by and will feel as though they cannot get through life without it.

Low Tolerance for Pain and Frustration

This is one of the most common personality traits among alcoholics. People who cannot endure pain, frustration, and other uncomfortable feelings will often turn to alcohol as a way to cope with how they feel. Once they discover that alcohol is a way to mask these feelings they will develop a dependence on it.

Anxiety

Everyone faces some anxiety at one point of another but extreme anxiety is another alcoholic personality trait. Most people can overcome it and move on once the situation has passed. Very anxious people who live in a constant state of anxiety may self medicate with alcohol as a way to ease their feelings. Alcohol releases their inhibitions and gives them relief, although not in a healthy way.

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