For some people, the part of their personality that makes them different is what makes them successful. But is it possible that what makes business executives so successful also what makes them prone to addiction?
According to author David Linden, PhD, it’s very possible. In his new book, The Compass of Pleasure, Linden outlines how pleasure-seeking is at the root of many life outcomes, including addiction and success.
Qualities that Lead to Success Also Lead to Business Executive Addiction
Qualities that make a business executive successful may include:
- Obsession
- Risk-taking
- Devotion
- Novelty-seeking
These same qualities have great crossover with qualities of an addictive personality. “My strong, strong suspicion,” says Linden, “is that what makes some people more likely to rise to the top is the same thing that makes them more likely to be addicts.”
Biology May Hold Key to Why Business Executives Struggle with Addiction
Linden also argues that beyond the personality traits common to addicts, the brain function of successful people may make it so they get less pleasure when using. At one point in his book, Linden asks, “Do you, like many, think that drug addicts become drug addicts because they derive greater reward from getting high than others? The biology says no: they actually seem to want it more but like it less.”
This relationship with pleasure may be one of the driving forces behind why successful people achieve success and then continue to build on their successes. The idea that there is always a next level to achieve drives their behavior, and the dissatisfaction with their current state reinforces this drive.
It can be difficult to find exact statistics regarding the percentage of business executives who struggle with substance abuse. Business executives who struggle with addiction are necessarily high-functioning addicts who can often hide their addictive behavior.
Barriers to Executive Drug Detox for Business Executives
For many of these business executives, their status symbols are often barriers to the treatment they need. They often can’t be terminated from a position and they are too financially prosperous for anyone to cut them off financially and force them into an executive drug detox. Though they may have the option of delegating some of their responsibilities to others they work with, they often feel like their power is slipping away and continue down the path of succumbing to their addiction. Business executives can be extremely image conscious and transfixed on people’s perception. They may feel that any kind of sign of a weakness may be perceived negatively and ultimately strain business relations with their employees and/or clients. To continue in their position of power, executives must perform at a high level and project an image of control. The greatest barrier is always denial and in the case of a business executive, they project the image of success and are less inclined to think they need the services of a business executive drug detox center.
Getting Started with A Business Executive Drug Detox Center
However, high-functioning addicts are still addicts, and if the wheels haven’t flown off yet, they will eventually. Even if people can perform at a high level at work, often it’s their family that has to deal with the substance abuse problem. And children of addicts are said to be four times more likely to become addicts themselves.
If you are a business executive who struggling with addiction, don’t wait for things to fall apart. You can get evidence-based, comprehensive, and anonymous executive drug detox treatment for your addiction. Call Serenity House Detox & Recovery today at (866) 396-4129 to find out more about our accredited business executive drug detox center with locations in Jupiter and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We can help you – please call us today.
