If you believe that a friend or a loved one is suffering from alcohol or drug abuse, you may notice the following personality traits:

• Low frustration/tolerance level: Individuals who suffer from alcohol or drug abuse are often unable to endure uncomfortable circumstances or feelings. Alcoholics or drug addicts are impatient.
• Anxiety: People who suffer from alcohol or drug abuse often experience numerous fears, which can lead to the fight-or-flight mechanism. People with addictive personalities may express exaggerated emotions.
• Perfectionism: Individuals struggling with an addiction often set impossible goals for themselves, which ultimately lead to failure and guilt.
• Justification: Alcoholics and drug addicts are masters at justification. Justification is the practice of arranging actions to make them appear reasonable.
• Manipulation: People who struggle with addiction often manipulate their loved ones and close friends. People suffering from drug or alcohol abuse will often manipulate a loved one without that person even realizing it.
• Selfishness: Being self-centered and narcissistic can be signs of addiction. Addicts often think only about themselves.
• Impulsiveness: Addicts and alcoholics often lack the self-control to think through an action, and instead jump into a new activity thinking, “I want, I want, I want….”
• Self-medication: People struggling with addiction may use drugs, alcohol, or another substance to feel better. They often ignore warnings and proper dosage amounts, taking as much as they want to give them the drug high.

These traits may still be evident even after someone has been treated for an addiction. It is important to continue monitoring the person causing concern, and to seek or provide support if you notice old habits resurfacing. Get drug addiction support now with Solace Counseling.