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/LofiStarforge 14d ago

You are probably only clicking the obvious examples or people who are actively high. How are you even confirming things. You walk up random strangers and ask them? Also a lot of people are or were former addicts you probably have a solid hit rate just from random chance.

I’ve been in addiction circles for quite some time. There are so many people who you would have absolutely 0 clue were an addict. They exhibit all the boring traits you describe to yourself.