Is There Such a Thing as an ‘Addictive Personality’?

15.12.25

Watching The Social Dilemma the other day got me thinking about how often I find myself endlessly scrolling my phone. I slip into this behaviour so easily and unconsciously, it’s hard not to describe it as an addiction.

This got me wondering: when does something we enjoy become something we rely on? Why do some people seem more prone to these patterns than others?

These questions matter more now than ever, as addiction is no longer confined to alcohol and drugs. It stretches into food, shopping, screen time, relationships, work and many other behaviours. Understanding how addiction works can help us respond with curiosity and compassion.

What is the ‘Addictive Personality’ Myth?

It’s a common assumption that each of us has a certain capacity for addiction. You might have heard someone say “He gets hooked on everything, that’s just his nature“, or “Once I start something I like, I can’t stop!”.

This is the myth of the ‘addictive personality’. That some people are destined to become addicted to things, because of something inherent in their biology or personality.

But research shows it’s more nuanced than this, and that addiction is shaped more by the interaction between our brains, coping mechanisms and experiences.

Beyond the ‘Addictive Personality’ Label

Addiction is rarely about being a specific kind of person. And not everyone who gravitates towards strong habits is “addicted”. The risk arises from a convergence of biology, environment, trauma, mental health, and personality traits:

Genetics: Some individuals are biologically more susceptible to addiction.
Environment & Trauma: Experiencing a stressful or unsafe environment, trauma or adverse childhood events can significantly raise risk. Trauma can alter brain chemistry and emotional regulation, making substances or certain behaviours appealing as coping tools.
Mental Health & Neurodiversity: Conditions such as anxiety, depression or ADHD can heighten vulnerability.
Personality Traits: Traits like impulsivity, sensation‑seeking or difficulty managing emotions can contribute to risk.

For example, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) notes genetics account for approximately 40–60 % of addiction risk, with the remainder shaped by environment, trauma, mental health and life experiences.

How Addiction Works

Addiction hijacks the brain’s reward system. It’s not about weakness—it’s about how our brains are wired. Pleasurable activities trigger dopamine release, which motivates us to repeat those actions.

Under normal conditions, this encourages healthy behaviours (e.g., eating, socialising, achieving goals). But when a substance or behaviour floods the brain with unusually large dopamine signals, natural rewards may feel less satisfying. Over time the brain may prioritise the addictive behaviour above almost everything else, flooding the person with cravings and thoughts about the substance or behaviour that activates the reward.

Biological Addiction

This occurs when the body physically adapts to a substance. Tolerance builds, meaning we need more of the substance to get the same response, and withdrawal symptoms appear if the substance is removed. For example, someone who relies on caffeine just to get through the day may experience headaches or irritability when they skip it.

Psychological Addiction

This centres on the mind rather than the body. A behaviour or substance becomes a coping tool for emotions, stress or unmet needs. Even without physical withdrawal, stopping may feel impossible. For example, over‑working to avoid feelings of inadequacy or family conflict may dominate your thoughts and energy—not because of physical dependence, but because it shields you from emotional discomfort.

Addiction as Avoidance: What Are You Really Escaping?

Many addictions aren’t about seeking pleasure. They’re about escaping discomfort. For example, drinking after a stressful day may numb anxiety or painful memories. Trauma often plays a role, as addictive behaviours may offer temporary relief from fear, shame or hyper‑vigilance rooted in past experiences. Understanding this shifts the lens from blame to compassion.

Consider asking:

“What might this behaviour be helping me avoid?”

Understanding the underlying purpose behind a habit often makes the cycle easier to recognise and break.

Neurodiversity and Addiction

All brains function a little differently, and our coping strategies reflect this. For many neurodivergent people, the dopamine system works differently. For instance, those with ADHD have naturally lower levels of dopamine in their prefrontal cortex, which means behaviours that trigger dopamine release feel especially rewarding. Being neurodivergent can also present unique struggles with emotion regulation and fitting into a largely-neurotypical world. These can result in neurodivergent individuals being at a higher risk for developing an addiction.

Rethinking Addiction Through the IFS Lens

Addiction can therefore often be viewed as a well-intentioned (yet ultimately unhelpful) attempt at self-protection. The Internal Family Systems (IFS) model conceives the mind as a collection of “parts,” each with its own feelings and strategies. In this framework, addiction is a part trying to protect you, rather than a failing of your character.

For example, a numbing part may use gaming or phone scrolling to shield you from distress. IFS encourages curiosity by asking:

What is this part afraid would happen if it didn’t act?
What pain is it shielding me from?
What does this part truly need?
How can I support this part to feel safe and cared for without the addictive behaviour?

By reframing addiction this way—combining trauma‑awareness and curiosity—behaviours can become signals of unmet needs rather than failures.

Signs You Might Be Addicted

Recognising patterns is the first step. Signs can be biological or psychological:

Biological signs:

Needing more of the substance or behaviour to achieve the same effect
Feeling irritable or unwell without it
Being unable to cut back despite trying

Psychological signs:

Constantly thinking about the behaviour or substance
Using it to manage emotions or stress
Persisting with use despite negative impacts on health, work or relationships

Addiction Exists on a Spectrum

Addiction isn’t always obvious. From a small habit—like checking your phone at night—to more serious patterns that dominate daily life, addiction exists on a continuum. Many people sit somewhere in the middle (e.g., using caffeine to function when tired or screens to unwind). Even mild patterns illustrate how readily the brain forms attachments.

Some everyday patterns are socially accepted and thus harder to identify as addictions:

Scrolling social media for distraction
Exercising beyond reasonable limits to feel a sense of achievement
Working long hours, consumed with emails or tasks
Comfort eating when not physically hungry

If these behaviours dominate your time, affect your relationships, or feel impossible to scale back, it may be time to seek support.

Key Takeaway & Further Support

Understanding the “why” behind addiction changes everything. There is no single “addictive personality”. Rather, addiction stems from a complex mix of biology, environment, neurodiversity, psychology and trauma. Behind every habit or behaviour is a part of you trying to cope, protect or survive. By exploring the reasons behind our actions and listening to these parts, we can transform shame into self‑understanding, build healthier coping strategies and create space for meaningful change.

If you resonate with this article, it might be worth exploring your relationship with your habits. Seeking support also doesn’t have to mean committing to a big change. Even recognising that a behaviour has more power in your life than you’d like is a big step. You might talk to a trusted friend or your GP, or if you’d like to explore this with a psychologist trained in understanding addictions, you can reach out to our team to discuss.

If you’d like to read more about addictions, we also have articles on shopping addiction and Australia’s complex relationship with alcohol. The BBC also produce the podcast Hooked: The Unexpected Addicts which explores many different facets of addiction.