The Connection Between Impulsive Personality Disorder and Alcoholism

On impulsive personality disorder, many people are unfamiliar with the four forms of borderline personality disorder (BPD), but their distinctions are significant and necessary to comprehend.

BPD is described by APA as “a persistent pattern of interpersonal relationship, self-image, and affective dysfunction, as well as pronounced impulsivity, starting in early adulthood and expressed in a variety of contexts.” In some instances, borderline personality disorder and alcoholism coexist, resulting in a complicated dual diagnosis.

Meaning of Impulsive Personality Disorder

The most engaging of borderline personality disorders is an impulsive personality disorder. Even to the layperson, the impulsive form of borderline personality disorder is distinct from the other subtypes. While different subtypes of this condition can make an individual appear impressionable or broody, the impulsive form can seem magnetically mysterious to those on the outside. An irrational personality disorder affects people who are charming and enjoy being the focus of attention. This type of human, in fact, thrives on being noticed. He or she may be extremely adventurous – even to the point of risky conduct – but he or she is frequently shallow.

People living with Borderline personality disorder especially the impulsive personality disorder find it easy to be intelligent, funny, and exciting. These people have the ability to captivate almost everyone and engage complete strangers in discussions. However, a person with IPD does not connect with others easily. Although their charisma and ability to be the main focus of attention also helps them to make lasting impressions on other people they meet for the first time, it is difficult for them to form long-term, meaningful relationships. Instead, people with impulsive personality disorder excel at the kinds of lighthearted discussions and games that just scratch the surface before they retreat. When combined with their other attributes, their evasiveness can appear cued, and their mercurial nature can appear convincing to others.

Definition of Alcoholism

Alcoholism is classified as a disorder by medical professionals and is the most serious alcohol addiction type. There are three types of alcohol use disorders: mild, moderate, and extreme. It is an addictive disease characterized by a person’s reliance on alcohol. In the presence of alcohol, alcoholics also engage in uncontrollable or compulsive conduct. Alcoholism has a negative impact on almost every area of one’s life. Alcoholics also believe that they are unable to act normally without the use of alcohol. This can cause a slew of problems, affecting professional aspirations, personal relationships, and overall health.

Furthermore, this illness has the potential to damage almost any organ in the body, including the brain, heart, and liver. Alcoholism is a severe illness that necessitates similarly serious care in order for a person to recover fully.

The Causes of Alcoholism

The exact cause of alcoholism is still unknown. When you drink too much alcohol, chemical changes in the brain occur, and you develop an alcohol use disorder. When you drink alcohol, these changes make you feel more pleasurable. This encourages you to drink more frequently, even if it is harmful.

Compulsive drinking is associated with a circuit between the prefrontal cortex and the brainstem associated with Personality Disorder in animals. Significantly, male mice with similar alcohol exposure experiences showed distinct differences in this neural circuit activity. The findings of the research and those of related studies emphasize the importance of individual variation in compulsive alcohol consumption.

According to theories, drinking has a distinct and more significant impact on certain people, leading to an alcohol use disorder. Alcoholism is often viewed from the limited viewpoint of experts in specialized fields of Personality Disorder. Heredity, environmental contagion, bad character, and economic misery (or affluence) are all theories, as are bleak childhoods, previously existing clinical depression, affordable and straightforward access to alcoholic beverages, or sociopathy. Alcoholism is considered a complicated disorder, often attributed to several factors, including Personality Disorder.

Excessive alcohol consumption over time can alter the normal function of the parts of your brain that regulate enjoyment, judgment, and behavior control. This may lead to a desire for alcohol in an attempt to reestablish positive feelings or alleviate negative ones. The satisfying emotions associated with alcohol use fade over time and a person with alcoholism will continue to drink to avoid symptoms of withdrawal. These withdrawal symptoms can be distressing and even deadly. Alcoholism is usually a long-term problem that develops gradually. It has also been reported to run in families.

What is the Relationship Between Impulsive Personality Disorder and Alcoholism?

Substance abuse is common in people with an impulsive personality disorder. Alcohol is often the drug choice for people with an impulsive personality disorder. It should not come as a wonder that this is the case. People with an impulsive personality disorder like being in the spotlight and are also referred to as social butterflies. This aspect of their disorder and lives is made easier by alcohol.

Anxiety, insecurity, and low self-esteem are common signs of BPD, and if these traits aren’t readily apparent, alcohol can help these individuals feel more at ease in social situations, but relying on it in this way can quickly become a slippery slope that leads to full-blown alcoholism.

The Symptoms of Impulsive Personality Disorder and Alcoholism

The Following are Some of the Most Known Symptoms of Impulsive Personality Disorder:

• Flirtatious conduct 
• Enigmatic conduct
• A habitude for being dramatic
• Thrill-seeking and risk-taking activities
• High-intensity
• Bored or distracted easily
• Attractive and charismatic
• A need to be in the spotlight
• On the surface
• Participation in attention-seeking activities
• Abuse of power
• Chronic disease complaints
• Unhappiness
• Self-esteem issues or a shaky self-image
• Dissociative states are common in stressful situations
• Even when the feelings seem to be an inappropriate response to the stimuli, they are highly emotional.

Similarities Between Alcoholism & Substance Abuse (Learn More)

Some of the symptoms of alcoholism are close to those of substance misuse, which experts make a distinction between. The following are symptoms of both alcoholism and substance abuse:

• Incapacity to stop drinking
• It is common to find people with personality disorders to have a high tolerance to alcohol and may need to drink more in order to achieve the desired effect
• A tremendous amount of time is used on a daily basis to drink and recover from drinking.
• Abstaining from non-alcohol-related practices
• When you stop drinking, you will experience withdrawal symptoms.
• Responsibilities at home, college, or education have been neglected.
• In risky circumstances, the use of alcohol
• Drinking as a way to cope with stress and difficulties
• A lack of control over how much and how often one drinks

These Disorders Affect Which Set of People?

In any given year, an estimated 1.6% of adults in the United States suffer from a borderline personality disorder. Women are assumeably more likely to be diagnosed with impulsive personality disorder than men, which has sparked a lot of debate and criticism. Regardless of the reasons for this disparity, women are much more likely than men to obtain an official BPD diagnosis today. This condition usually shows up and is diagnosed in late adolescence or early adulthood. Unfortunately, diagnosing BPD and impulsive personality disorder can be difficult, and it’s not unusual for sufferers to undergo a number of inaccurate diagnoses before receiving an accurate diagnosis of their mental disorder.

About 17 million U.S. citizens are believed to be affected by alcoholism or substance misuse. The fact that alcohol is lawful and accepted by society in the United States could be a factor in this high amount. Despite the fact that alcohol use can have extremely serious side effects and repercussions, it is still prevalent in many activities in the United States, whether recreational or connected to work or education. Since alcohol use is so common and casual in the United States, it can be challenging for an outsider to recognize alcoholism in another person.

The Causes of Borderline Personality Disorder

Like all mental disorders, Borderline personality disorder (especially impulsive personality disorder) is difficult to pinpoint a single cause. This mental health problem is believed to be caused by a number of reasons, all of which add to the condition’s complexity. Childhood trauma, on the other hand, has been identified by researchers as a significant possible cause of impulsive personality disorder. Genetic factors, neurobiological factors, congenital brain defects, and other factors, such as family dysfunction, are among the other reasons that have been supported by studies.

Alcoholism, like an impulsive personality disorder, is believed to be caused by a variety of factors. Genetic factors, on the other hand, are among the most prevalent, accounting for nearly half of the risk.

The Available Treatment for Alcoholism and Impulsive Type BPD

When IPD and alcoholism coexist, it is important that they are treated well for good recovery. While there is no available medication that can cure impulsive personality disorder, there are medications that can help manage some of the disorder’s symptoms. Talk therapy is often regarded as the most common treatment for impulsive personality disorder.

Treatment for alcoholism should be taken seriously because quitting alcohol without medical care can be harmful to those suffering from extreme cases of alcoholism. Medications and behavioral therapy are also strategies for treating alcoholism.

As part of the Personality Disorder treatment plan for alcoholism, people may be keen on including one or more holistic practices, which have been said to help with the rehabilitation process as well.

Some of These Activities to Be Considered Include:

• Yoga. Yoga can help to encourage the alcohol recovery process. The ancient practice creates a place for participants to become more conscious of their bodies and minds, as well as the ways in which they communicate. This type of movement, which places a strong emphasis on meditation and contemplation, can help people relax. Yoga has also been believed to aid in the management of anxiety, stress, and depression, all of which are symptoms that a person suffering from alcoholism or impulsive personality disorder can face.
• Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy can help with withdrawal and recovery from alcoholism. Some people say that using aromatherapy during alcohol withdrawal reduces the severity of withdrawal symptoms or makes the recovery process more enjoyable. Aromas can be inhaled in a variety of ways, but one of the most common is by using an oil diffuser. In case of Personality Disorder the scents of essential oils are dispersed into the ambient space after they have been heated in a diffuser. Lavender oil, peppermint oil, sandalwood oil, lemon oil, jasmine oil, eucalyptus oil, chamomile oil, ginger oil, ylang oil, and rosemary oil are some of the essential oils that have been promoted as helpful for the process of recovery.

Before beginning any activities, consult a licensed medical practitioner on any alternative or holistic approaches to alcohol withdrawal and rehabilitation. Some people who abuse alcohol may not be safe enough to participate in activities like yoga. However, if these practices and treatment plans are approved by a medical provider, they can help a patient heal faster.

The Starting Process to Recovery

Recovering from an impulsive personality disorder and alcoholism can seem to be a daunting task. It is, however, entirely possible to return to a stable, comfortable, and fulfilling life with intensive care. Take your phone and call us on 615-490-9376 today if you’d like to take the first step on your road to impulsive personality disorder recovery.