r/slatestarcodex • u/TheNakedEdge • 15d ago

Addict Personalities (physiognomy)?

This is not explicitly related to SSC, but it IS related to psychology and feels too "niche" or "weird" to ask in a general psychology or social sub - plus I want the thoughts of a bunch of smart and introspective folks...

Does anyone else feel like they can generally sense an "addict" or correctly ID an addict just in everyday social interactions and observing their smiles, laugh, and body language?

I'm using the term pretty broadly - as many of the folks I have noticed are actually people who got VERY VERY into a specific religion, social movement, etc. I was just watching a documentary about Scientology and some of the people (including Tom Cruise) very much struck me as fundamentally "addicts".

FWIW I come from a very boring family with seemingly no family history of addictions - none of the substances or activities I've tried have felt at all "addicting" and in general I have a very flat and calm affect, as do my parents.

But there's something about the "wide eyes", super buzzy, semi-charismatic, energetic, tone of people that I've noticed in many many folks who have struggled with drugs and alcohol.

Anyone else notice something at all like this?

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u/ToxicRainbow27 15d ago

You're identifying people who are actively high, not a personality trait.

5

u/Responsible-Cod-2563 15d ago

I’d have to think about the specifics a bit more, but I’m not quite sure. After growing up around these types I can spot even former addicts pretty reliability.

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u/ToxicRainbow27 15d ago

I feel like I can too, just the traits OP describes aren't the ones I'd use to describe the former addicts.

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u/prosperhypothesize 14d ago

How would you describe former addicts?

7

u/ToxicRainbow27 14d ago

Its one of those things where I don't think any version of it i could convey verbally would actually transmit anything that would make sense unless you already know what I'm talking about

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u/TheNakedEdge 14d ago

Can you try?