The Addictive Personality:

The Addictive Personality:
Disorders by Enneagram Type

Fortunately, there are many resources available to support the addictive personality in breaking free of various forms of addictions, including books, workshops, support groups, therapy, and even inpatient care. The Enneagram is not a substitute for those resources, but combined with them, can be extremely helpful in understanding the roots of the addictive personality.

All nine Enneagram personality types can have any kind of addiction, and all nine types can be codependent. We find some tendencies toward certain addictions in the Enneagram types, however, and offer the following correlations as a beginning guideline. They are not all-inclusive and are not intended to be a complete discussion of this complex problem. Note also that the addictions and disorders listed below apply not only to each Enneagram personality type, but also each type's Direction of Disintegration.

The following material is taken from The Wisdom of the Enneagram (pages 350-352), and is offered as a preliminary study of which addictive behaviors and other imbalances coincide with each personality type. These observations are not meant to be all-inclusive or to complete, only that they are a useful starting place for studying this important application of the Enneagram.

Be sure, however, that you or someone else you are applying this information to is correctly typed. You can take the scientifically validated Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator (RHETI Version 2.5) on this website. Also, be aware that the types connected by a line on the Enneagram from your basic personality type may also show up in your own pattern of addictions, imbalances, and substance abuse.

Eating Disorders & Addictions of the Types

• Type 1 The Reformer
  Excessive use of diets, vitamins, and cleansing techniques (fasts, diet pills, enemas). Under-eating for self-control: in extreme cases anorexia and bulimia. Alcohol to relieve tension.
  
  
• Type 2 The Helper
  Abusing food and over-the-counter medications. Bingeing, especially on sweets and carbohydrates. Over-eating from feeling "love-starved." Hypochondria to look for sympathy.
  
  
  
• Type 3 The Achiever
  Over-stressing the body for recognition. Working out to exhaustion. Starvation diets. Workaholism. Excessive intake of coffee, stimulants, amphetamines, cocaine, steroids or excessive surgery for cosmetic improvement.
  
  
• Type 4 The Individualist
  Over-indulgence in rich foods, sweets, alcohol to alter mood, to socialize, and for emotional consolation. Lack of physical activity. Bulimia. Depressants. Tobacco, prescription drugs, or heroin for social anxiety. Cosmetic surgery to erase rejected features.
  
  
• Type 5 The Investigator
  Poor eating and sleeping habits due to minimizing needs. Neglecting hygiene and nutrition. Lack of physical activity. Psychotropic drugs for mental stimulation and escape, narcotics for anxiety.
  
  
• Type 6 The Loyalist
  Rigidity in diet causes nutritional imbalances ("I don't like vegetables.") Working excessively. Caffeine and amphetamines for stamina, but also alcohol and depressants to deaden anxiety. Higher susceptibility to alcoholism than many types.
  
  
• Type 7 The Enthusiast
  The type most prone to addictions: stimulants (caffeine, cocaine, and amphetamines), Ecstasy, psychotropics, narcotics, and alcohol but tend to avoid other depressants. Wear body out with effort to stay "up." Excessive cosmetic surgery, pain killers.
  
  
• Type 8 The Challenger
  Ignore physical needs and problems: avoid medical visits and check-ups. Indulging in rich foods, alcohol, tobacco while pushing self too hard leads to high stress, strokes, and heart conditions. Control issues central, although alcoholism and narcotic addictions are possible.
  
  
• Type 9 The Peacemaker
  Over-eating or under-eating due to lack of self-awareness and repressed anger. Lack of physical activity. Depressants and psychotropics, alcohol, marijuana, narcotics to deaden loneliness and anxiety.
  

Need Help! - Addiction Resources

Your FREE eBook, "Lifestyle Risk Reduction Model - Reducing Drug and Alcohol Problems for a Lifetime" The Lifestyle Risk Reduction Model is a prevention model developed in the hopes of  keeping people of all ages from experiencing alcohol and drug problems throughout their lifetime. The Lifestyle Risk Reduction Model defines prevention as: A comprehensive and systematic effort to reduce the risk that an individual of any age who does not already have alcoholism or other drug addiction will experience alcohol- or drug-related health or impairment problems at any point in life.

If you or someone you know needs help with an alcohol, tobacco, or other drug problem, this section will point you to resources for help. Search for a treatment program near you, take an online screening test for alcohol problems, or identify local and online support options.

AlcoholScreening.org
AlcoholScreening.org can help you identify your own alcohol consumption patterns to determine if your drinking is likely to be harmful to your health. From Join Together, at the Boston University School of Public Health

DrugScreening.org
A sister site to Alcohol Screening, this free service from Join Together helps you determine your likely risk of harms from using many kinds of drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, inhalants, opiates, and more.

Find Treatment
Search this database of over 11,000 alcohol and drug treatment programs to find the facilities nearest you.

Frequently Asked Questions
We've compiled answers to some of the most common questions people ask Join Together about treatment for alcohol and drug addiction.

Support and Recovery
Locate self-help and support group meetings in your area, online support communities, and resources for concerned family and friends.

Please Visit the Free Mp3 Audio links below for Spiritual talks on Addiction.

ADDICTION; in the belly of a Big Fish - Episode 108. The scientists tell us for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. In our relationship with God for every action there is also a consequence. See how Jonah's life parallels ours when we go contrary to God's will.

The meaning and purpose of God's Word - Segment Eight "The Importance of Brokenness". "Except the grain of wheat falling into the ground die, it abides alone; but if it die, it bears much fruit" (John 12:24) Life is within the grain of wheat. But there is a shell, a very hard shell on the outside. As long as the shell is not split open, the wheat cannot grow.
The question here is not whether life exists inside the shell, but whether the shell on the outside is cracked open.

JACOB; he who wrestled with God - Episode 1022. Instead of sitting down and trying to work things out with his brother, Jacob responded to conflict in what has become an all too familiar response in contemporary families, he hit the road. He said "I'm out of here. I'm going somewhere else to make a fresh start and leave my problems behind."
There is only one problem with Jacob's plan: no matter where you go, you take yourself. And a big part of self is....................

Why does God allow Trials in our Lives - Episode 1105. Why does God allow trials in our Lives? (John 12:24-25)
Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless the grain of wheat that falls to the earth dies, it remains alone: But if it dies, it bears much fruit. There are two things you can do when trials, tests or tribulation comes your way.

The Message of Isaiah the Prophet - Episode 1029. Isaiah preached for over a period of about 40 years and his message covers just about every theme and doctrine of the Bible. Let us consider six of the Great Statements made in the book of Isaiah and their application to us Today.

Inspiration & Meditation Series - "for the rest of my Life" offers a plethora of data for the soul in it’s infinite journey. It’s soliloquy is a sublime meditative series of affirmations & thoughts , rooted in eternity. This tree has many branches & multi-colored leaves all flowing in the stream of light , energy & the power of love. Whether one be a follower of the various faiths of this world or other worlds , the design of D.G.C.’s work is enthralling. Take a moment & let the power of this work draw you into a new reality.

For more information about all of the Enneagram addictive personality types and the self-defeating patterns they form with themselves and in their relationships, see the Enneagram  type descriptions and the books Personality Types and The Wisdom of the Enneagram from which the above chart has been taken. For practices that can be helpful to the types to overcome their addictions and imbalances, see Understanding the Enneagram and Enneagram Transformations.