Analysis of the relationship between predisposition to the formation of addictive behavior and personal characteristics of addicts

The article emphasizes the relevance of studying the psychological characteristics of individuals using psychoactive substances and describes the results of our own empirical study of the predisposition to developing addictive behavior and the personal characteristics of addicts. As a psychodiagnostic method the authors have chosen the methodology for studying 13 types of addictions by G. V. Lozovoy and the Mini-Mult questionnaire by J. Kincannon adapted by V. P. Zaitsev and V. N. Kozyulya. The study found that individuals using psychoactive substances have a tendency to develop addictive behavior and are also characterized by certain features in the personal sphere. The subjects in the group of drug addicts and alcohol addicts showed an increase in the general tendency to develop addiction. The drug addicts have traits that indicate problems in the emotional sphere, they are prone to negative thoughts, irresponsible behavior, they are indifferent to the feelings of other people and egocentrism. Alcohol-dependent subjects were found to have a tendency to be demonstrative, to dramatize life situations; suspiciousness, lack of trust in others, obsessive ideas and anxiety, fixation on their thoughts and fears were noted. Understanding these features can help psychologists develop more effective strategies for rehabilitation and prevention of drug addiction and alcoholism.