The term "introversion" was coined by Carl Jung, along with its antonym, "extraversion", as described in this quote from wikipedia (bolding emphasis mine):
From as far back as I can remember, I've been an introvert. I'm talking as a child, way back before AL ever entered the picture. Notice that "introverted" does not equate to "shy" or "social anxiety". I'm not shy and have very well developed social and communication skills... but I really like being alone. I'm talking almost to hermit levels. I enjoy (prefer, actually) doing lot's of "normal" activities alone: playing computer games, going to the beach/surfing, cooking, playing music, etc.
Anyway, while thinking about my alcohol use, I started realizing how much more time over the past decade I was spending alone drinking at home, which seemed also to be increasing with time. I was still doing the above sorts of activities, with the outdoorsy ones being during the day while not drinking. I had always been in touch with my introveted tendencies and it never really bothered me.
But then I began wondering if my alcohol use was making me even more introverted/isolated. At first, it seemed like the obvious answer was, "yeah, duh! addict brain defending its drinking time". But now I'm not so sure. During recent days and weeks when not drinking my introverted tendencies don't feel any different at all-- I still want to be alone, but I read or worked or played games or whatever instead of drinking. And as I mentioned in the beginning, I was like this before I had ever experienced alcohol. Hmm.
So, I started this thread for couple reasons:
- to explore for myself whether alcohol and introversion are at all linked within myself (being introspective!
)
- to see if any people here could relate-- most of you all seem crazy-extraverted to me! (maybe that's just your online personas?)
- to see if any other interesting ideas/discussion would come out of it.
Anyone care to weigh in?
People who prefer extraversion draw energy from action: they tend to act, then reflect, then act further. If they are inactive, their motivation tends to decline. To rebuild their energy, extraverts need breaks from time spent in reflection. Conversely, those who prefer introversion expend energy through action: they prefer to reflect, then act, then reflect again. To rebuild their energy, introverts need quiet time alone, away from activity.
The extravert's flow is directed outward toward people and objects, and the introvert's is directed inward toward concepts and ideas. Contrasting characteristics between extraverts and introverts include the following:
* Extraverts are action oriented, while introverts are thought oriented.
* Extraverts seek breadth of knowledge and influence, while introverts seek depth of knowledge and influence.
* Extraverts often prefer more frequent interaction, while introverts prefer more substantial interaction.
* Extraverts recharge and get their energy from spending time with people, while introverts recharge and get their energy from spending time alone.
from wikipedia MBTI article
The extravert's flow is directed outward toward people and objects, and the introvert's is directed inward toward concepts and ideas. Contrasting characteristics between extraverts and introverts include the following:
* Extraverts are action oriented, while introverts are thought oriented.
* Extraverts seek breadth of knowledge and influence, while introverts seek depth of knowledge and influence.
* Extraverts often prefer more frequent interaction, while introverts prefer more substantial interaction.
* Extraverts recharge and get their energy from spending time with people, while introverts recharge and get their energy from spending time alone.
from wikipedia MBTI article
Anyway, while thinking about my alcohol use, I started realizing how much more time over the past decade I was spending alone drinking at home, which seemed also to be increasing with time. I was still doing the above sorts of activities, with the outdoorsy ones being during the day while not drinking. I had always been in touch with my introveted tendencies and it never really bothered me.
But then I began wondering if my alcohol use was making me even more introverted/isolated. At first, it seemed like the obvious answer was, "yeah, duh! addict brain defending its drinking time". But now I'm not so sure. During recent days and weeks when not drinking my introverted tendencies don't feel any different at all-- I still want to be alone, but I read or worked or played games or whatever instead of drinking. And as I mentioned in the beginning, I was like this before I had ever experienced alcohol. Hmm.
So, I started this thread for couple reasons:
- to explore for myself whether alcohol and introversion are at all linked within myself (being introspective!
)- to see if any people here could relate-- most of you all seem crazy-extraverted to me! (maybe that's just your online personas?)
- to see if any other interesting ideas/discussion would come out of it.
Anyone care to weigh in?
but I'm willing to learn. 
)
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