I have an addictive personality as well. I have been addicted to love, shopping, exercising, smoking, my job etc. Once I could no longer do any of those it was drinking. I used to literally shop til I dropped. I have had to become aware that I do have an addictive personality and consciously get control of myself. I also receive counseling. As nurses when we do something we do it all the way. Lives depend upon it. So, I would say yes that could be what started your problem. I am sure there is more to it but I am no expert on the subject. I will leave that up to the others who have a lot more experience in this. Soul searching and getting to know yourself is good. It helps to stop repeating past mistakes. Good job!

Thanks sad! I do think part of my problem does stem from our profession. You can't provide care in moderation, you have to provide care at full steam or your patients will suffer! That's a great observation on your part. I am always teased by my family and co-workers than I am OCD. I always considered that a left-handed compliment, but now I am wondering.....??

Actually this one has me stumped - I have no idea but tend to think it is all based in my alcoholic mind i.e. I know I have to work on these issues as they are part of my character defects that often need addressing.

Another thought provoking discussion subject!

hummm maybe how about other things in your life. Do you over eat. I find myself doing that along with over exercise. Funny lost,, but I to worked out, ran, power walked and played raquet ball for an hour at a time. And I too had to have a full hip replacement.

Hey blonde!! Hip replacement too??! Gee Whiz!! And to answer your question, I do not overeat. I am fortunate that I have never found a whole lot of pleasure in eating. I do work extremely hard and my office is in perfect order. My team teases me about my filing system! When I clean the house, my husband used to tell the boys to keep moving because mom's cleaning and anything not nailed down is likely to be thrown out :-)!!

I have done some research and only found one article about addictive personality that addressed running. It gave characteristics of this personality as thrill seakers (I skydive), compulsive (not true of me), obsessed with chasing a high (runner's high, hiker's high). Of course, it stated most people with this personality used drugs (never) or drank (well....). Just an interesting thought!!

I not only believe in it, I are one. Alcoholic, sugar addict who used to smoke 3 packs a day. Part of it is hyperfocus, but their is that addicive nature. It can be so real that one school of thought is that some of us will always be addictive so we might as well find positive addictions

I also have an addictive personality. I can get addicted to anything that makes me feel good or takes me away from my stress.

If you are wondering if you are an alcoholic there is a test you can take....google...Am I an alcoholic...you will get a better idea of if you have a drinking problem or not.

Its a model that helps some folks understand their predicament, and thats great.

I dont identify with it myself...can get sucked in to lots of things but I like to think more that there are certain things that I specifically struggle with and others I seem to be able to take or leave as I like. Im an alcoholic first and foremost, various other problems have come and gone over the years...some of those battles I just had to give up on - me and 'x' don't get on too well so best not go near it :)

All we have is models and maps if you ask me, none of them exactly describe the ground we're walking on but if they're useful, if they accurately describe what we see then pick 'em up and use them...

P

yes.

I am a runner and I get obsessive with it, too.

If I'm in a grove and I skip a day, I feel like crap.

I also have an addictive personality. I used to think I could never become addicted to anything but I was wrong. I've been addicted to an array of different things and people. When one addiction ends, it seems like another one starts. Whether it's food, shopping, short-term smoking, prescription meds (short-term) or a person, I usually go all-in and don't give it much thought until it's too late. Like with binge-eating, I fight with myself until I talk myself into doing it. Afterwards, I am overcome with guilt and upset that I can't seem to stop. I was, and still am to an extent, addicted to an ex-boyfriend of mine. He also had an addictive personality so we were both addicted to each other, although he ended up being more addicted to drugs in the end.

It's a little scary, these personality issues, but I think therapy could help. I don't know what else could.

Yep, another addictive personality here. I have been addicted to cigarettes, shopping, alcohol....anything that gives you that instant "high" but as we all know, that high doesn't last. I was missing something in my life and trying to find happiness with these addictions or obsessions. Yes, I am OCD too! And now, I am addicted to this awesome group and that's a pretty darn good one for me! Love to all of you! 29 days sober and 1 week smoke free!

For heaven's sake, yes. **For some of us, it is based in desperate needs created by past issues, and/or just sensation seeking traits**--like the skydiving--WOW! That is NOT me; I'm clearly explanation #1...which is why I'm also "kind of" diagnosed with Borderline Pers. d/o. Even as a teen i knew i had propensity for addiction, and i was wise enough to: 1) never smoke a cigarette (though I have smoking dreams all the time!) 2) avoid alcohol my entire first year of college...else i would have become an alcoholic lot sooner and 3) never tried hard drugs, because i'd most certainly be a coke addict.

I am compulsive about many things, shopping, certainly drinking, inapprop. sex stuff, etc.

***I HAVE to have something to lose myself in (that's the key)...when I'm more "well" that's on constructive things, when not so well, it's destructive things. What's the difference? Well, if a behavior is becoming such that it interferes with your relationships, work, health, or personal well-being, then that would be destructive...***

It can appear as though a person has "addiction" so deeply entrenched that it could seem to be a part of our personality.

People can use a lot of things to avoid the pain that's within. It can be substances, activities, relationships and so on. It can also be the self.

Pain of the past needs compassionate attention. Pain of the present needs disarming...and compassion.

I agree that people have addictive personalities. My boyfriend is an alcoholic. He has been addicted to gambling, sex, cocaine and perscription pills. Alcohol is the one that he is struggling to beat. He is 'insane' he is obsessive, he worries about everything. He worries about things that r highly unlikely to even happen. He has a v high opinion of himself one minute and he thinks he pond-scum the next. His mind goes a million mile a minute all the time...and what he seems to do with all his addictions is get some kind of break from his own brain. I think that the only thing that can help him is NA....they need to be around like-minded 'insane' people!