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Heroin Addict Personality Traits
Can heroin change your personality?
There are three primary elements to heroin related personality change; (1) were either of the heroin addict’s parents an addict, (2) the type of behavior used to acquire heroin, and (3) the physical and mental effects from using heroin.
Personality traits
The evidence indicates specific personality traits common to many heroin addicts. These characteristics differ from person to person, but in general, they score very high on Neuroticism, especially Vulnerability to Stress. They also score very low on Conscientiousness, particularly Competence, Achievement-Striving, and Deliberation.
Compulsive
The evidence shows that heroin addiction is both a positive and negative reinforced behavior. Heroin use produces pleasure, but it can also produce pain, especially when a heroin addict runs out of heroin. Anytime a heroin addict discontinues heroin use he or she will develop a medical condition called heroin withdrawal syndrome, which is a debilitating state of mind and body. It’s the fear of heroin withdrawal, coupled with the memory of heroin intoxication, that creates heroin cravings. This type of drug craving results in a tenacious drive to find heroin, a compulsive desire to use heroin, and an inability to control intake. Furthermore, whenever a heroin addict is deprived of heroin he or she slips into a “negative emotional state” that is unique to opioid addiction.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A HEROIN ADDICT
- Tenacious seeking of heroin
- Compulsive use of heroin
- Inability to control intake of heroin
- The emergence of a negative emotional state whenever deprived of heroin
Criminal-Minded
If you’re among heroin addicts for any substantial length of time, you’ll notice that many heroin addicts are criminals. Some are murderers, and others shoplifters. We know that about 95% of heroin addicts admit to some degree of criminality. The interesting thing about criminality is that it often leads to fear, paranoia, anger, arguments and violence.
Non-Sexual
Heroin addicts are, for the most part, unhappy, distrusting, introverted, and anti-social. They often exhibit various degrees of criminal behavior. Heck, they admit that much. To top it all off, many heroin addicts lose their sex drive altogether. Reduced libido is so prevalent among heroin addicts that it’s the common joke whenever heroin addicts socialize among one another, but it’s more prevalent among male heroin addicts.
