Do different types of personality attract certain types of drugs, or do addicted people simply have an addictive personality?

Would someone addicted to cocaine, for example, be just as likely to become addicted to alcohol? Or are our personalities dictating the types of medications we are likely to take? Are we more likely to be attracted to a particular drug if we have certain personality traits? Research seems to indicate that this is the case.

People take drugs and become addicted for many different reasons, but there is evidence to suggest that the types of drugs you are drawn to depend on your personality.

So what types of drugs are attractive to certain personalities?

alcohol

Both men and women can become addicted to alcohol but it is mainly men who are subject to this type of drug. Research shows that this may be because alcohol affects men’s brains differently than women’s. Even if men and women drank the same amount of alcohol, men had more dopamine (the pleasure hormone) than women.

It has also been proven that if a young man starts drinking early, he is more likely to become addicted to alcohol at a later age. There is also research indicating that a person in a non-stimulating environment where alcohol is freely available can become addicted.

Marijuana

Marijuana calms the mind and calms. Research has shown that it is prevalent in bright students of both sexes and middle-aged parents.

The number of middle-aged parents smoking weed is steadily increasing, and it will soon overtake teenage use. Not only that, but in older groups such as the 50s, 60s, and over retirement age, cannabis smoking has increased by 333% since 2002.

This suggests that older adults may return to marijuana use, after a long hiatus from the teenage years.

heroin

The typical heroin user will suffer from unresolved psychological issues and severely low self-esteem. They may have experienced some type of trauma or abuse in their lives and have taken heroin to numb their feelings.

Many heroin users do not have a healthy perception of themselves, which may be due to past problems, such as abuse or neglect. They will feel worthless and will use heroin to escape their problems.

cocaine

Cocaine use is associated with affluent banking types and is used to increase impulsivity and recovery. However, research indicates that more women than men are addicted to cocaine.

There is also evidence to suggest that young people who consume energy drinks are more likely to use cocaine later in life. It’s not certain why this is, but the logical explanation is that as the sugar rush from drinks decreases, users turn to stronger alternatives.

trance

Ecstasy is a mood-altering drug that acts as a stimulant. This type of drug attracts young people between the ages of 12-25 from a middle-class background.

Users of this drug are sociable, friendly and love to party, as the drug is commonly taken, in clubs and parties. Girls are more likely to be addicted than boys, and children with high intelligence are also more likely to use ecstasy.

Opium/painkillers

Opioid use is steadily increasing and is found in all walks of society. It can affect rich and poor alike, and both sexes. It’s known as the silent killer, because many people who take opioids like codeine and other opioid pain relievers don’t think they have a problem.

This is because painkillers can be bought over the counter and are usually prescribed by a doctor, primarily, to treat severe pain.

Many people who take painkillers fall into this category, as they became addicted after an accident or prescription painkillers.

People who often fall victim to opioid addiction feel as though they are missing something in their life. The sedatives give the user a warm, loving feeling and make up for what is missing.

“It started as a real attempt by doctors to help those who need it,” says Dr. David Croaway. “There was a rationale for aggressively treating pain with opioids. But 10 years down the line, we’ve come to understand the consequences.”

Cocaine

Crack cocaine is linked to childhood trauma such as physical, mental, or sexual abuse. In one study, more than 60% of cocaine users admitted that they had experienced some form of abuse as a child. Many will turn to drugs to deal with this abuse.

Cocaine use is also prevalent in domestic violence victims, particularly expectant mothers who have been trapped in abusive relationships. People who use cocaine tend to have low self-esteem, feel worthless, and often self-harm as well as abuse drugs.