You’ve been thinking about it for a while. It’s been filling your thoughts every day and keeping you awake at night. It’s not easy, you know, dating someone new. And, it’s even more challenging when the individual has an addictive personality. So, building a successful relationship with this individual is a challenge you’re not sure you can face.
It’s something that a lot of people are dealing with right now. So, believe it or not, you’re not alone in your uncertainty. There are many people who are a little unsure about what to expect when dating someone with an addictive personality.
It can be challenging to understand what your significant other is dealing with and experiencing. So, it’s best to be prepared when beginning a relationship with the individual you care about.
Let’s first discuss some of the traits of a person who has an addictive personality. Then, we’ll talk about the ways in which you can work through challenges within the relationship and how you can make sure the relationship remains healthy for both you and your partner.
Perhaps the person you’re interested in used to struggle with drug or alcohol addiction. Maybe the individual suffered from substance dependence for months, even years. Now, he or she is in recovery, working to build a life free from addiction.
Many times, people who are in recovery are advised to avoid romantic relationships for at least a year. It allows them to spend more time working on themselves and overcoming the negative effects of addiction. It also gives them time to heal from the pain of substance dependence.
Addiction is complex and it isn’t always easy to understand the effects of it. Even after treatment, people who have struggled with substance abuse and addiction often have a hard time working through the changes that addiction brought to their lives.
Drug and alcohol addictions can cause people to feel isolated and distanced from others. It can cause separations in families and amongst circles of friends. People who suffer from substance dependence and addiction often spend more time using or in search of substances to use than they do with their loved ones.
Drug and alcohol addictions literally take over people’s lives. So, once an individual reaches out for help and goes through professional addiction treatment, it’s best for him or her to take time to completely overcome the effects of addiction.
In many situations, people who develop addiction problems have what is known as an addictive personality. So, even after treatment, they may struggle to stay free from addiction because of their personality traits.
This is why it’s so important to understand what you should expect when dating an individual who has an addictive personality. The challenges that your partner will face will also affect your relationship with him or her. They’ll impact the way your significant other interacts and communicates with you.
Since the romantic partner in your life has struggles of his or her own and shows characteristics of an addictive personality, it’s important for you to understand exactly what life will be like while you are involved with the individual.
First, it’s important to address the fact that many people feel that there is no such thing as an addictive personality. Individuals, including some professionals, believe that people don’t necessarily have personalities which could lead them to develop addiction problems.
The truth is that diction is caused by many different elements. There are many contributing factors. One’s personality is only one of those factors; environment, genetics, mental health, and emotional health also play a role in the development of addiction.
Still, it’s important to avoid tossing out the idea of how one’s personality and characteristics can cause people to become addicted to drugs, alcohol, and even other things such as shopping, eating, gambling, sex, and much more.
A person who has an addictive personality usually shows certain traits. These characteristics often show themselves in more ways than one. And, they can certainly become evident to the people who spend a lot of time with the individual, including family members and romantic partners.
So, if you think the person you are in a relationship with may have an addictive personality, it will be helpful to know more about the traits and characteristics that are usually found in those who have this kind of personality.
While it’s true that you should be wise and cautious about beginning a relationship with someone who has an addictive personality, it’s important to understand that you don’t necessarily need to avoid spending time with people who are dealing with these traits.
Instead, take the time to learn more about this type of personality and how you can help those you care about as they work to overcome these traits. You should, however, make sure that the person you’re dating is aware of the problem their facing and is actively working to improve.
Now, let’s talk about a few of the things your significant other may struggle with if he or she has an addictive personality. Your partner may:
- Suffer from anxiety.
- Feel depressed often.
- Exhibit obsessive behaviors.
- Be impulsive and take risks often.
- Seem unnaturally cautious at times.
- Struggle to connect with you emotionally.
- Have a hard time controlling his/her feelings.
- Show signs of instability in various areas of life.
Sometimes, the person you care about may struggle to regulate his or her emotions. This can negatively impact the way he or she interacts with you. And, since your loved one may have trouble expressing what’s going on in their life, misunderstandings can happen frequently.
As you work to establish a meaningful and successful relationship, it’s important to understand that things will be far from easy. It may be beneficial to get counseling and learn how to work through difficult moments.
If, however, this relationship is proving to be anything but healthy for you or your significant other, then it’s important to avoid going any further.
If you think someone you care about is struggling with addiction or has an addictive personality, you can help them by pointing them toward treatment! Through professional treatment and therapy, your loved one can find peace and freedom. Just contact us today to learn more about our services! Call (855) 425-4846 today.
