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If your loved one is struggling with addiction, you may have noticed a change in their personality, mood and behaviour. Alternatively, if you’re a person suffering from addiction, you may have identified a change yourself. This is completely normal and is a sign that you could benefit from professional help. Here, we explore how addiction can change someone’s personality.
The Impact of Addiction on Behaviour
While specific drugs and alcohol will have different effects on the brain, they typically work by releasing a wave of dopamine. This results in feelings of pleasure, and addictive substances result in the brain craving and seeking out these effects time and time again. This leads to the behavioural changes that we see in many people who abuse drugs and alcohol.
What’s more, research shows that long-term substance abuse changes the way that the brain functions, altering the normal chemical balance. This is why addiction and even drugs and alcohol can make someone seem like a completely different person. The addictive substance basically trains the brain and body to seek out drugs or alcohol, soon becoming a central focus and priority.
3 Common Ways Alcohol Addiction Changes Personality
Addiction can take a toll on someone’s health, relationships, career and day-to-day responsibilities, as well as change how someone thinks and behaves. Here are three of the most common ways that alcohol and drug addiction change personality.
Aggressive Behaviours and Mood Swings
Both drugs and alcohol change how someone behaves in the short term, which can lead to increased anger and mood swings. However, research shows that those who are addicted are also more prone to fits of rage and aggression. This is because substance abuse impacts the brain’s ability to control emotional responses.
Not to mention that substance abuse could be caused by trauma or stress and the individual could be unable to deal with their substance abuse and feelings. Drugs and alcohol also increase the risk of poor mental health episodes, which again could lead to irritability and anger.
Loss of Interest in Hobbies or Events
One of the most common signs of addiction is when someone begins to prioritise their drug or alcohol use over other areas of their life. Dependence and tolerance are likely to be built meaning that the individual can’t focus or cope without the substance. This typically results in all spare moments being controlled by thoughts of using and attempts to get the substance. In turn, individuals have less time for other responsibilities, activities and time with their friends and family.
Change in Relationships
As mentioned above, as substance abuse becomes someone’s priority, relationships with friends and family members can get pushed aside. Plus, it’s not uncommon for friends and family members to confront their loved ones when they’re concerned about the addiction. This in itself isn’t always received well and can impact the relationship.
What’s more, those suffering with addiction can retreat into isolation in a bid to hide their substance use. Addiction can also result in people thinking that their family and friends are out to get them, which results in them further cutting themselves off.
Why Does Addiction Change Personality?
Addiction has a huge impact on the brain, causing an imbalance in the brain’s neurotransmitters. This affects how your brain communicates with the rest of your body which is why addiction changes personality and behaviour. Not just that, but it can also impact your ability to make rational decisions and affect your mood. Long-term drug and alcohol abuse can also impact other areas of your brain, resulting in long-term symptoms too.
That’s not to say that the effects can’t be reversed. With the right help, addiction can be treated. At Nova Recovery, our treatment programmes focus on treating physical addiction as well as any behavioural and psychological symptoms too to help individuals and their family to regain control of their life. In fact, we’ve helped so many people who had lost their way to get their life back on the right track.
When to Get Help for Someone with a Drug or Alcohol Addiction
Unfortunately, those who usually notice a change in personality are the people around the individual suffering from addiction. It can be a tough conversation to have. However, denial and obliviousness can only worsen the situation. That’s why it’s so important to get the help you need, quickly.
For those family members and friends who have identified a change in personality or behaviour, our team can help. Not only can we advise on how you can start the conversation with your loved one but we can outline treatment options available and even kickstart a referral and intervention process.
For those individuals struggling with substance abuse, we’re here for you too. Perhaps a loved one has already had the conversation with you, or maybe you recognise the above signs. Either way, our friendly team is always on the other side of a phone call and can answer questions, discuss your concerns and help you to think about life away from addiction.
Drug and alcohol addiction might be gripping your life right now, and perhaps you don’t even recognise your behaviour or personality. However, with the right team behind you, you can walk away from it for good and get back to your old self. Contact our team today and take the first step towards regaining your life.
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John Gillen
- Author
- Last updated: September 8, 2023
John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. His passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases. The journey continues. In recent times, John has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with NAD+ scientists and the very best of the medical professionals in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Hospitals own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists. Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with NAD+ Therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.