Personality Cafe banner
1 - 20 of 36 Posts

arwen7

· Registered
INFP/ 4w5
Joined
·
2,818 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
My question pertains to drinking and drug addictions, I know there are many other addictions out there.

I would like to begin by saying that I believe we don't easily get addicted to drugs or alcohol. I personally view that as an extrovert weakness. But I'm open to input. I could be completely wrong.
 
I really don't think extroverts are more vulnerable than we are. I also believe that INFPs, with our sensitive idealism and fragile dreamlands, may be particualrly vulnerable to addiction, particularly in bitter shut-in phases spent ruminating on why white people play golf while children are killed by chemical attacks in far-off civil wars. Isolation doesn't help, a position many of us seem to be in.

Now I believe we might have some strength against addiction if we refuse to try the crap the way we refuse to love people we don't. I personally will not try pot or beer and peer pressure doesn't make a difference. We're good at setting on our minds on avoiding things we view as corrupt to ourselves like that.

Overall, I see us as being more vulnerable.
 
I agree with @Necrox about the vulnerability. I get upset easily, and I sometimes use that as an excuse.


My main problem is with moderation though. As soon as I get a 'taste' of something, I need to have it all. I quite often drink until I pass out (which inceidently, is what I did last night).


Maybe my dopamine levels are just messed up
 
I agree with @Necrox about the vulnerability. I get upset easily, and I sometimes use that as an excuse.


My main problem is with moderation though. As soon as I get a 'taste' of something, I need to have it all. I quite often drink until I pass out (which inceidently, is what I did last night).


Maybe my dopamine levels are just messed up
We're kind of all or nothing people, metaphorically and literally.
 
I don't know, there are so many things that play in. Just speculating in generalising ways, brainstorming: extroverted Fe types might be more prone to peer pressure, being out on pubs and clubs partying, but then introverted people might feel more that they need to drink to party, as it might get them out of their shell, and some intoxicants have the opposite effect, introspection, which for example infps tend to like, and the curiousity might for example make infjs get into psycadelic drugs, but then there is use and addiction, and which of these are most likely to cross that line, and who knows, but often unhappy or lonely people or people under a lot of pressure and stress are in the riskzone, so perhaps estjs and entjs which hectic careers, and intp and infp lonewolfs? but then introverted people are quite good at handling loneliless, and estjs on handling hectic work... so perhaps a lonely esfj and an intp boss? And then availability, introverted people might be a bit less likely to come across opportunities to buy drugs, but alcohol is generally available, but can be costly, especially in bars etc, so some might not get addicted simply because they can't afford to go out often. I could see alcohol appealing to Ne-types as it unleashes the creative kind of thinking, but also to Ni-people as it can help them relax. So adding all this together, my conclusion is, I have no clue :) .

The addicted people I have known have been of various types. All intuitives though when I think about it, but really, I think all the people I know the type of outside internet but one are intuitives... hm.
 
I don't do drugs or touch alcohols, because I find the first pointless and hate the latter's taste.

However that's not saying I don't get myself high when I'm down, I just do it through methods like musics and games.

Do I get addicted on those things? Yeah. Just that the dependencies hasn't grown on me yet.
 
I'm not addicted to any substance. But I have an unhealthy relation to food. Food is everything, it helps me, but it's bad. And my boby suffers, I'm overweight.

Alcohol also helps me in a certain way, it calms me when I'm very nervous, upset, but I try to no drink alcohol because it's not that good with medicine, especially antidepressant.

I never touched to drugs, and that doesnt interest me.

I also think that i'm kinda - not totally- addicted to internet, videogames.they help me to focus my bad thoughts and agressivity.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Larch
@arwen7

Genes matter in addiction

"At least half of a person's susceptibility to drug addiction can be linked to genetic factors."

"When it comes to tobacco, genetics account for about 75 percent of a person's inclination to begin smoking, said University of Pennsylvania psychologist Caryn Lerman, PhD. Genes also account for 60 percent of the tendency to become addicted and 54 percent of one's ability to quit."

Genetics of Alcohol Use Disorder | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

"Research shows that genes are responsible for about half of the risk for alcoholism"


Genetics doesn't count for 100% of the risk for addiction, however as these sources show they are a very important factor. Of course extroverts might go to more parties or are in other social situations more often and as a consequence feel more peer pressure (although that's debatable...). But I think there are lot of introverts here who are happy to open a bottle of wine when they are alone on the couch with their laptop or with their favorite movie on. If said introvert is genetically inclined towards developing alcoholism then said introvert has as much chance of becoming addicted as a party hard extrovert with the same genes.

What I would say is that introverts, and Fi users most notably, won't get pressured into starting with drinking, smoking or taking drugs because other people do it or because it is cool. Having said that: they can also make up their own mind about it and decide they should start smoking or whatever.
 
I really think there's more to addiction than introversion vs. extroversion. As Yippy said, there is genetics. There is also just where you were raised and what you saw as a child/what you were exposed to or likely to be exposed to as a teen or child.

There was also an interesting study on rats in which rats who had stronger social networks and more stimulation tended to become less addicted to cocaine. So whether or not humans are like rats, IDK, but it seems to suggest that addiction can also relate to the social support network you have or the access to community.

There are also a lot of writers and artists who have struggled with addiction, many of which are people who are said to be INFPs. Not to say INFPs have to be addicted, but that it just seems the type is associated with creativity, and many creative people have and do struggle with addiction for some reason.

I know that I never wanted to be addicted as a child, and that I hated drugs and substances that could rob me of my loved ones, and that I don't think there's ever been a time in my life in which I viewed it as okay or accepted any addiction without trying to fight it the whole time.

I always advise people to stay away from addictive substances. It's just not worth it. I, myself, am also not interested in substances I've seen my friends get addicted to or sick from. I can't say I've become immune to addiction though. That's obviously not true. I would guess introverts have the benefit of being more cautious about substances, and hesitant against them even if everyone else seems to be doing them or they are available. I've known more extroverts who have comfortable addictions (especially Fe dom) in which they are somewhat addicted to a substance, but it's okay with them because they can use it in socially acceptable ways and can impose limits on it fairly easily. I feel I am often the opposite--I am not okay or accepting of dependence, but I find it's very difficult to stick to limits at times. Not sure if it's related to MBTI or not.

Edit: And to be honest, I've always had a propensity to chase things into extremes. Whether it be romance, eating disorders, "healthiness," righteousness, or chemical addictions. Whether or not that is from my genetics, my upbringing, or my life experiences, I don't know. I do know that the closest, most essential part of "me" that I identify with never wanted to feel dependent and always sensed a discomfort with it, and often fought it in extreme ways.

As a child I used to have nightmares about a ball that would not stay stable on a line. The purpose of the dream was for me to keep the ball stable, but it continued to bounce and fall, and the line would get all jaggedy. Perhaps I wanted the ball to learn to fly and land at will, or to simply gracefully overcome the dips and peaks. Always seeking moderation, but it's so elusive what that is to me. I suppose it's a journey in itself.
 
I have family members with addiction issues, so I tend to be very careful. I don't think I could easily become addicted to alcohol, because I'm physically very intolerant of it - even in relatively small amounts alcohol can give me migraines or insomnia. So I generally have to be feeling really well to even consider drinking.

Having said that, @Meltedsorbet 's comment about chasing extremes really resonated with me. I definitely identify as having an "addictive personality." It sounds crazy, but I have to be careful not to be immoderate even in my quest for moderation.
 
If you were to round up a group of addicts and ask them ''How many of you thought you would never suffer from addiction?'', I think many people would adamantly have said ''No, I never thought I would be that type of person''. For this reason, I'm really struggling to step outside myself objectively enough to decide whether addiction could be a likely possibility for me.

On one hand, I am very vulnerable to the dangers of addiction. Recently I have had to painfully rip myself from a bad relationship that was fueled with drugs. On the other hand - I made that decision to stop and I have no plans to return.

Some times I worry that it is not myself that dictates whether I could be an addict, but it is my circumstance. I'm too passive and enjoy allowing life to take me where it wants.

Urgh, that was the most sloppy thing I have ever written but whatever.
 
My dad is an alcoholic so I tend to be careful with my alcohol use. I've never used any drugs and don't even smoke (never been even tempted to do so).

My sister who's an extrovert used to drink a lot especially when she was younger, while I was basically an teetotaller at same time. Maybe on her side it's at least partially genetic, since she also smokes?
 
I was actually recording a video this morning on this very subject - not alcohol or drugs specifically, but how infps and mostly introverts have obsessive personalities.

I think extroverts are more likely to make changes in their lives where necessary...they are open to communication and actively engaging in their own lives. Whether or not you enjoy the life you live if you're not active in it then it's much more difficult to make positive changes. That being said.. I know a few ENFJs who have struggled with these issues which makes me think it's less about introversion and more about idealism.

As for INPS... we have really high standards. For a lot of us at some point they're unrealistic standards and because we spend so much time internalizing everything.. I think it can become far too easy for us to disengage in our own lives and switch off. To try and numblessly distract ourselves from the reality that isn't up to scratch . It might be by reading, watching Tv, gaming, smoking weed...the list is endless. It really depends on the vice...some of them are really harmless and some are addictive and affect our health and frame of mind..those are the only differences, because the reason we take them is exactly the same. To unwind and disengage from our realities for some respite.

I can understand why you'd think INFPs wouldn't become addicts because we are stubborn asses when we want to be so if we've had an experience with an addict we can easily make a resolve to never turn out that way. But I think that's very specific and as jonkay mentioned previously nobody sets out in life with the task of becoming an addict.
 
I'm addicted to cigarettes and smoke cannabis about once a week. I only drink when in company or when weed isn't available because I consider it the next best things. I think INxPs like experimenting with reality, and that's what the draw is. Same goes for ENxPs.
 
I think introversion vs extroversion as a means to measure likelyhood to form dependency is silly to be honest.

I'm very, very introverted, an INFP. I often find myself struggling with addictions on and off. One reoccurring thing that I now have under control is alcohol. I love alcohol, because after a few shots, suddenly I can navigate social crowds, and I'm not on autopilot using Fi, but my Ne (and even Se) takes over and I'm able to more keenly and efficiently connect with everyone. I become the life of the party after a shot or two. It's a compelling reason to get buzzed. I'm always too worried about sounding weird or feeling out of place, or wondering how I fit into the group when I'm sober. Occasionally I can get past that without drinking.
I also love smoking weed, but where I live it's legal, so I don't see that as much as an issue as alcohol would be.
Stimulants are also very appealing to me, because it brings me out of my head.
Over all, I've never taken the experiences in my life to have traumatic marks on me, and I use drugs socially and recreationally. Some weeks though, I might just be being social for 3 days, and then not leave my house for a week or two.
 
I enjoy all aspects of beer - the heightened mood, the cold glass filed with gold in your hand, the bitterness. These several day long binges are gone and I drink more deliberately last few years. That means every few days or once per week. Having good beer and just thinking about my things or chatting with some locals is ultimate way to relax for me.

Oh, then there's tobacco. I smoke pipe, use snus or snuff and also hand-roll cigarettes sometimes. If I randomly buy pack of cigs I can go through them in few hours if I feel like it. It's dictated more by my mood than the actual craving for nicotine.

I've been doing these things for many years and I always have longer periods (weeks) without any intake.

Somehow I'm able to successfully regulate this. I've had really disastrous year, but none of my 'addictions' got out of hand, hence I'm rather confident that it would be hard for me to become uncontrollably addicted.

It is actually better and more rewarding to solve problems instead of escaping from them.
 
I can relate to "all or nothing". I have never used any drugs, alcohol and smoking included, but I feel like I'm a person who would easily be addicted. When it comes to foods like sugary things for example I can eat until I can't fit any more if it's something I like. I easily get hooked and super absorbed by thinks that interest or stimulate me. Because of that I have decided to never try any drugs. I have enough problems already without being addicted to something.
 
cant be extrovert's always!

I am new here. I saw your post now. What you said is absolutely wrong. It doesn't matter whether a person to be extrovert or solitary for being addicted. It is all about control, lol and nothing to do with nature of a person. I got an experience to share here. My brother, an introvert and he were very much addicted to alcohol and drugs. Drugs, alcohol and four walls of his room was his world. It was by a treatment at Edgewood in Colombia. It has nothing to do with nature of a person. It is all about control and once you are unable to control the urge, it would better to undergo a treatment.
 
My parents gave me a taste of alcohol when I was around 5 or 6. It was the most disgusting thing that had ever burned the insides of my mouth. I think their strategy was well played as I've never had any urge to drink more than a glass (wine, champagne, beer or coolers; the stronger stuff is just nasty).

I tried pot in my late 20s. Nothing stronger than that because I really like to be in control of my body. In my case, wanting to be in control has always been the key to not developing any particular tastes for drugs and alcohol. Especially after reading about and watching people battling with such addictions. I also had food to comfort me, so there was never any need for other numbing agents. I haven't escaped addictions, but drugs and alcohol just seemed to be too evil to even go near. Peer-pressure just made me dig in my heels stronger.
 
I don't have a drug or alcohol addiction, and don't think I'm likely to get one. I am, however, also very much "all or nothing" and simply can't do moderation - so if I do go out on a night out I'll get smashed! And might "black-out", having no recollection of my actions the day after, although that's pretty rare - and I don't drink very often. I've only gotten drunk about 3 times within the past year. I have never done drugs - the only thing I've tried was a waterpipe, and that was while I was drunk and I didn't have much knowledge about that particular substance and therefore no preconcieved ideas - 'cause normally I'm very, very firm in a few convictions no matter how drunk I get - such as not smoking, taking drugs or eating stuff I normally wouldn't.

However, I do have serious issues with food, and I'm easily addictive in that department! And have an very ongoing battle with food, and not overeating, indulging in unhealthy stuff. And it's not a winning battle. So I'd say I have a brain that is quick to get addicted, and no willpower to overcome it, and if I didn't have strong opinions on substance use beforehand I could probably easily have gotten addicted to it all.
 
1 - 20 of 36 Posts