The immature personality: Some people never really become mature adults. They may remain unduly close to their parents. They often boast about those few things that they have actually accomplished, are unable to form close relationships with others, and are self-centered.
The anti-social personality: These people are unable to accept frustration. They live for, expect and must have easy and continuous gratification. They often eat a lot, chew sweets and smoke, as well as drink heavily. They drink for two reasons – to reduce the personal discomfort that results from frustration and to provide instant and dependable gratification. They are impulsive and do not learn from their mistakes.
The self-punitive personality: Some outwardly docile people are actually repressing aggressive tendencies. This results in inner tension and alcohol helps to relieve this tension. Often alcohol releases the aggression.
The stressed or anxious personality: Some people find stress more difficult to deal with than others. They may use alcohol in an attempt to cope.
The passive-aggressive personality: This term refers to someone with an outwardly calm and acquiescent shell that hides inner anger. They find it impossible to deal with anger-inducing situations.
Many addicts do not have these personality types, and of course if you recognize yourself above it does not automatically follow that you are at increased risk of addiction. It’s important to remember that no personality is immune to addiction. Proneness to alcoholism is better recognized by examining someone’s existing drinking habits than by assessing their personality. Modern, well-organized studies do not support a role for personality in addiction. Most of the theories outlined above are not well supported by scientific evidence. By Dr. Ciaran Mulholland http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/menshealth/facts/addiction.htm
There are two questions a man
must ask himself: The first is
‘Where am I going?’ the second is
‘Who will go with me?’ If you ever
get these questions in the wrong order
you are in trouble.
Sam Keen
