What is "Addictive Personality"? And Who is at Risk?

Addictive Personality: Who is at Risk, and Why.

By Lisa-Dawn Sheridan, MAOM

You have heard the phrase, “addictive personality”, but what exactly is it and why are certain people labeled with this type of a personality? It is estimated that between 10-15% of the population [1] fall into this category, with an even higher incidence of up to 50%, in twins and adopted children.[2]

This discovery and what it means to this person (or personality), can be very revealing in a recovery setting. For instance, some people have no problem with drinking alcohol socially, or even taking a prescribed pain medication like morphine. Yet, a person with addictive personality is at risk of becoming an alcoholic, or morphine abuser. It is like, for instance, a water faucet that cannot shut off; once their brain feels the effects of a drug, food, or any substance that triggers a certain feeling, they want more.

According to Harvard researchers, this can be a good thing. The addictive personality may have good addictions. Exercise, spirituality, as well as other positive habits can be readily seen in addicts that do not practice a harmful addiction. It is when the addict’s brain is subjected to a substance or habit, that it initiates a reward system (and craving), for the positive or negative addiction.

The specific part of the brain that is associated with the addictive personality is centered in the hippocampus, in a region called the nucleus accumbens. This site is where the powerful dopamine effect is demonstrated. Nearly 2 million heroin and cocaine addicts, perhaps 15 million alcoholics, and tens of millions of cigarette smokers in the United States alone [3], suffer with addictive personality.

“The new brain research suggests that addiction is not just a property of certain drugs but an aspect of certain human activities and relationships.” When one has a grasp that they are genetically different with a clear pre-disposition to certain behaviors or cravings, it is much easier to tackle change and recovery.

Sources:

http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/features/prescription-drug-abuse-who-gets-addicted-and-whyadd

http://www.helpguide.org/harvard/how-addiction-hijacks-the-brain.htm

http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/the_addicted_brain

America's Silent Killer ► METH ►infertility, impotence, hormone imbalance

www.montanameth.orgT

THIS POST CONTAINS:
❗️ Valuable Solutions, with The Bach Flowers
❗️ New Research on Harmful Side Effects of Meth
❗️ Explains How Estrogen Imbalance Affects Users

TFC, Wellness Team Recommends the following:

SOLUTION: FOR ADDICTION RECOVERY STANDARD FORMULA
CHESTNUT BUD: stop addiction, cravings - FOR BAD HABITS

ASPEN: stop fears of unknown, paranoia, "voices in your head" - FEARS OF THINGS UNKNOWN

WALNUT: protect from outside influences, judgements of others while your heal - PROTECTION

LARCH: to get going again, sober, with confidence - COURAGE

SCLERANTHUS: back and forth behavior, quitting then going back - MAKING UP YOUR MIND
RESCUE REMEDY, Bach Flagship Product - SHOCK, TRAUMA, RECOVERY

NOTE:
The above is a standard recommendation from our team -- if you would like a more in-depth understanding and treatment of these LIFE CHANGING, PROVEN EFFECTIVE, essences - take our FREE CONSULTATION, and get your own Custom Formula.

The Bach Flowers are available at just about every health food store. If you are addicted to anything, you can pick the flowers from the above list, which ever apply to your situation. Buy the remedy, put 2 drops in any beverage or remedy bottle (see Bach Flowers 101 on the side table), taken four times perday, everyday for six weeks for a change in pattern of behavior. The Bach Remedies are not expensive or addictive. 

---- VERY IMPORTANT ARTICLE REFERENCES ---

HORMONE CHANGE, ONE OF THE MAJOR SIDE EFFECTS OF "METH" 

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006 Aug;1074:282-94.

Estrogen, testosterone, and methamphetamine.

Dluzen DE, McDermott JL.

Department of Anatomy, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine 

The gonadal steroid hormone, estrogen, can diminish the degree of striatal dopamine depletion resulting from methamphetamine. In this article, we describe the conditions of this estrogen neuroprotection as well as the potential for estrogen and testosterone to enhance methamphetamine-induced neurodegeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system. When administered prior to a neurotoxic regimen of methamphetamine, estrogen significantly decreases the amount of striatal dopamine depletion in intact or gonadectomized female, but not male, mice. This capacity for estrogen to function as a neuroprotectant can occur quite rapidly, at 30 min prior to methamphetamine administration, and with relatively low doses of estrogen (1 microg estradiol benzoate). Estrogen remains an effective neuroprotectant in neonatally  female mice treated with testosterone, but not in female mice that were gonadectomized prior to puberty. Nor does estrogen demonstrate any beneficial effects when administered after methamphetamine. Recent data have indicated some conditions where gonadal steroids can increase the extent of striatal neurodegeneration in response to methamphetamine. Specifically, when some existing perturbation is present in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system, treatment with estrogen enhances the extent of striatal dopamine depletion to methamphetamine. Similarly, increased striatal dopamine depletion to methamphetamine is observed in gonadectomized male mice treated with testosterone. PMID: 17105924 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

What exactly DOES estrogen do in the body? 

More on this important hormone:[...Thus, we conclude that estrogen or its α-receptor is an absolute necessity for fertility in the male.]

Estrogen is the major hormone responsible for the characteristics typically thought of as female. Required for proper development of sexual organs, completion of skeletal system, regulation of the menstrual cycle and maintenance of pregnancy, estrogen is extremely important in the growth and development of the female body. During the menstrual cycle, estrogen is secreted by the developing egg follicle and aids in thickening of the endometrium.

Also one of the major hormones of pregnancy, estrogen supports the production of fluid in the reproductive tract which enhance the survival of sperm by slightly neutralizing cervical secretions. Towards the end of pregnancy, estrogen promotes the growth of milk ducts within the breasts and enhances the effect of prolactin (major hormone responsible for lactation in the female).

Estrogen in the adult male reproductive tract: A review

Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Reproductive Biology and Toxicology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61802, Rex A Hess

review this entire article

NOTE FROM THE FLOWER CHILD:   

"So, basically what the above is saying is that crystal meth amphetamine, DRAMATICALLY DECREASES ESTROGEN in the brain due to the dopamine/testosterone connection.  This can be a very serious health complication."

• For men, even worse pubescent boys (13-17), hormonal imbalances can cause impotence or "crystal dick", the slang for not having the ability to reach an erection.
• In women, fertility issues such as not having a regular cycle for proper conception of the fetus - meaning you will not be able to get pregnant with this type of hormonal imbalance.