Introverts and alcohol
Getting Sober Is Different for Introverts & Extroverts
On Posted on by Westwind Recovery® to Sober Support
Contrary to popular belief, getting sober is not a one-size-fits-all sort of deal. Think about it – you’ve got people from different backgrounds, different habits, different socioeconomic status, different personality, etc. Drug addiction does not only affect one type of person, but it can also latch on and affect anyone.
So, what does all that mean when it comes to getting sober? It means that each person will have his or her own triumphs and struggles while getting sober. And, this is especially true when referring to varied personality traits, such as those who are introverts and those considered to be extroverts.
These personality traits affect many things we do in life – including getting sober.
Are You Introverted or Extroverted?
You’ve likely heard reference to Carl Jung’s personality types many times throughout your life – introvert and extrovert. Perhaps you even completed personality quizzes in school that helped you better determine what path you should take in life. While you may know very well what these two personality types mean, let’s take a moment to define them.
An introvert is someone who tends to be more inward. They are deep thinkers with many thoughts, emotions, and moods that they keep inside. Often, these individuals are considered to be shy or even meek. They often prefer to be alone or with a small group of friends and learn by watching and observing.
An extrovert, on the other hand, is someone who is very social and often shows outward expression. He or she may have no issues sharing thoughts, opinions, and feelings. They typically have no hesitation in meeting new people or engaging in sharing or large group activities.
Addiction and Introversion
Think about it – your struggle with addiction is a personal struggle, isn’t it? How you have handled it and the choices you have made have been your own. Other than the effects it has left on those around you, your addiction is personal.
And, what a perfect match for an introvert. Those who fall into this end of the psychological personality spectrum are often better at hiding and controlling the addiction behind closed doors. And, the fact that introverts often isolate themselves, there are often fewer eyes to take notice of any changes.
A common trait among many introverts is high levels of anxiety and depression – as well as negative thoughts. And, unfortunately, this often leads to self-medicating with drugs or alcohol. Then, due to the quiet nature of their habits, it can easily turn into an addiction. This is commonly seen among addiction specialists.
Not every introvert suffers from anxiety (or depression) and not every introvert will self-medicate.
However, the rate is high enough for professionals to take notice – and seek special ways to treat those who have taken the first step to getting sober.
Addiction and Extroversion
While introverts are at a higher risk, extroverts are just as likely to partake in substance abuse. These individuals are often seen as the life of the party. They want to head out and be social, meeting friends – and new people – everywhere they go.
The continuous routine of happy hour, weekends out on the town, and so forth, can very easily cause an extrovert to become an addict. Extroverts are often found to have a problem with addiction when it comes to alcohol and uppers, such as cocaine, and other party drugs.
Remember, no one is safe from the strongholds of drug addiction.
Sobriety and Introverts
Much attention has been paid to handling an addicted introvert who wants to get sober. So much of getting sober relies on a support network and a solid group – all the things that make introverts want to run away and use.
It is important that steps are taken to avoid this at all cost.
There are certain phrases you may hear someone say, such as:
- I am not really into joining groups.
- The program seems too much like a religion.
- I can’t and won’t share my personal feelings.
- These people are much worse than me.
- Being around other addicts will make me want to use.
These are excuses. And, they are often said when there is an underlying case of social anxiety – which is incredibly common among introverts. Getting someone who prefers being alone to actively participate in a group is a challenge.
It is important that introverts participate in a program that is designed to be more intimate. One where he or she will have time for personal reflection. And, one where personal relationships and friendships can develop. This is crucial for a successful recovery.
Facilitators and therapists with empowering abilities will work incredibly well for introverts.
Giving that boost in confidence and providing a safe space to share and open up can be very beneficial. Forced participation, on the other hand, can be detrimental.
Sobriety and Extroverts
Extroverts love to speak and share and meet new people. All the things that make many recovery programs a success. So, there are not necessarily any special needs that should be attended to. In fact, when it comes to group therapy and residing in a sober home, extroverts have the opportunity to always be around others.
How They Can Help Each Other
While therapists and addiction professionals should always pay mind to those who are introverts, there is something to be said about individuals helping each other. Spreading knowledge on how addiction affects each personality type can increase awareness. For example, instead of an extrovert thinking that something is wrong with an introvert who is seeking alone time in a sober living situation, he or she can be respectful of the space and accept it as nothing more.
At the same time, introverts can learn that those who like to talk and share aren’t just seeking attention – and learn from them.
What comes so easy for some individuals may not for others. Addiction is no exception. When an introvert and an extrovert are facing the same struggle, addressing their needs separately can help them eventually come together in a positive, productive manner.
Is There A Link Between Introversion And Alcohol Addiction? | by Richard Taylor
MUSINGS
Are certain personality types at greater risk of becoming addicts?
Photo by Ahmed Nishaath on UnsplashI recently finished ‘Quiet’ by Susan Cain, a book about ‘the power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking’. The book gave plenty of insights into the world that I and many others inhabit. Reflecting on what I had read, I started thinking about whether introversion perhaps had something to do with my struggles with alcohol.
Introversion definedYou are probably aware that Carl Jung first introduced the terms introversion and extroversion into psychology in the 1900s.
The term ‘introvert’ has become widely accepted to mean a shy or quiet person, whereas an ‘extrovert’ has become known as an outgoing, sociable or talkative person. Simply put, an introvert is predominantly concerned with their own thoughts and feelings rather than external things.
Can introversion cause addiction?
The evidence about this can be primarily found in a 2014 study by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA).
The researchers found that extroverted people were more likely to have positive thoughts. Introverts tended to have more negative thoughts and emotions, such as anxiety and depression. Their conclusion, therefore, was that this could make heavier drug and alcohol use more likely in introverts.
Of course, being identified as an introvert does not automatically make you an addict. The study suggests, however, that introverts who tend to have fewer positive feelings, or are not attracted to rewards in life, are more likely to abuse drugs than more extroverted people with positive emotions.
Addiction is a deeply personal thing. Other than the effects on people around you, the chances are that you have had a personal struggle. This can make an addiction a great match for an introvert. Think about it. As introverts, we like to spend vast amounts of time in isolation, thus having fewer eyes on us. We are generally better at controlling and hiding our addictions out of the sight of others.
Why introversion could be more common in addictsAlcohol abuse (or any other addictive substance for that matter) may result from an introvert trying to be more social and trying to connect with other people. When introverts start using drugs and alcohol, it can significantly improve their ability to deal with social situations. It can turn an introvert into a social butterfly.
Photo by Kelsey Chance on UnsplashHowever, without drugs and alcohol, the social anxiety and tendency to isolate comes back.
An introverted person will also be better at hiding their problems, which means they can fall deep into addiction without family and friends noticing the extent of the decline.
An introverted person is also less likely to reach out to other people for help when their substance abuse begins interfering with their everyday life. When their addiction gets worse, an introvert will usually prefer to drink or use drugs alone, allowing them to hide the problem for a longer time. The ability of an introvert to think deeply about things can be a liability in addiction because they are more likely to become trapped in their delusions.
I know that alcohol certainly gave me more confidence in social environments. I have always found it daunting to put myself out there in social situations. If I knew there were people I was familiar with, the anxiety wouldn’t be so bad. Going into an unknown environment was a different story.
I (hazily) remember attending functions with a former law student girlfriend.
Being so obviously out of my comfort zone as a chef in a room of high-brow lawyers would be unbearable without a good number of drinks inside me to loosen up. It was an effective method. I could withstand the often mindless small talk spurted at such functions. I could become an active participant through gritted teeth in the shallow conversations that any introvert can tell you is not their idea of a good time. The flaw in my plan was that I didn’t have an off switch, meaning I would continue to drink far beyond the minimum social lubrication needed.
Traits like introversion and extroversion are likely to represent only a small fraction of the risk of developing an addiction to alcohol. The main distinction is that not all introverts will become addicts. Other risk factors such as mental health issues or perhaps drug experimentation as younger people will play an important part as personality.
In conclusion, anyone can develop an addiction to alcohol or any other substance.
Whether you are introverted or extroverted, try to be conscious of why you drink. Look for other healthy coping mechanisms if it seems to be a risk.
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Psychologist Manley explained why introverts like to drink and cry to music
- Health
- Lifestyle
To establish this connection, scientists had to conduct several studies at once and test the effects of various stimulants on introverts and extroverts.
February 22, 2022
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- pixabay.com
They like loneliness, do not need the help of friends and acquaintances, and avoid communication – this is how psychologists characterize introverts. With such formulations, it can be assumed that these people rarely leave the house and will definitely refuse to party with friends. Psychologists have suggested that this is not only due to their temperament, but also probably because they are over 9 years old.0019 sensitive to all kinds of stimulants - caffeine, alcohol and music .
"Scientifically, the difference between extroverts and introverts is arousal, also called levels of cortical activation," Gregory Scott Brown, MD, board-certified psychologist, told Well+Good. - This means that any external stimulus, be it a comment, a look, an action of someone, something or a gesture, is likely to be noticed by an introvert.
Extroverts, on the other hand, have a low level of arousal, so in order to achieve an optimal state, stimulation, social interaction is necessary.
Scientists, based on these data, came to the conclusion that introverts were the most sensitive to caffeine, alcohol and music. To confirm the hypothesis, a scientific experiment was carried out.
One study involved 42 people, equally divided among extroverts and introverts. According to the results, it was possible to find out that although caffeine had an effect on both groups of stimulants, for example, the heartbeat quickened, this reaction was more noticeable in introverts. Moreover, caffeine affected the participants in different ways.
See also
- Extroverts noticed improved performance after drinking caffeine, and introverts became overly aroused, which impaired their performance, says Dr. Brown.
A follow-up study by the American Psychological Association found that caffeine affects introverts and extroverts differently depending on the time of day.
But incentives are not limited to coffee alone. The mood of introverts can be influenced in a special way by music .
Because of the music, they can even burst into tears - introverts are so sensitive. But extroverts often work with music playing in the background, while they are not distracted by it.
- Extroverts performed equally well with or without background music, introverts performed worse with music, says clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manley. “This confirms that introverts are more sensitive to various stimuli.
Another stimulant is alcohol. Unfortunately, introverts were more likely to drink alcohol.
- They drink to cope with social discomfort, relieve anxiety, or "adjust" to difficult conditions , according to Carla Marie Manley.
Drinking alcohol also increases the level of dopamine, one of the feel-good hormones. Introverts have fewer dopamine receptors than extroverts, which requires additional stimulation.
Text author: Alena Bezmenova
Why introverts are prone to alcoholism and lose control of their emotions when listening to music increasingly closed to each other.
It is believed that the number of so-called introverts has increased. With this termion, psychologists characterize closed, sensitive people who prefer watching the series at home under a blanket to noisy parties with friends. It is believed that introverts are most sensitive to various stimulants in the form of caffeine, alcohol or music. In addition, such people are more likely to respond to someone's action, look, or comment because they have more sensitive levels of cortical activation. This is the difference between extroverts and introverts: a sharp reaction to external stimuli, explained psychologist Gregory Scott Brown, MD, in an interview with Well + Good.
Extroverts are more open and social people. They have a low level of arousal, so social interaction is necessary to achieve their optimal state. Based on these scientific facts, scientists conducted an experiment to prove that introverts are more responsive to stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol, and music.
One of these studies involved 42 people - 21 of them were extroverts, and 21 were introverts. During the tests, the experts came to the conclusion that caffeine had an exciting effect on both groups, but it was in introverts that this reaction was more noticeable.
Dr. Brown specified that coffee energized all participants, but each group was affected differently.
"Extroverts noticed an improvement in performance after drinking caffeine, and introverts became overly aroused, this worsened their performance",
the researcher tells.
Research by the American Psychological Association concluded that caffeine affects introverts and extroverts differently, and much depends on the time of day. Even music can influence the mood of closed people. They can cry, get upset from the melody alone, while extroverts find it more convenient to work or engage in any activity to any tracks, without being distracted or concentrating on them.
