Alcoholic Narcissist: How the Two Conditions Are Related

They also tend to have a low tolerance for stress and will often give up and walk away than deal with it. For instance, NPD and AUD both involve psychotherapy, but the formats for each can vary. For NPD, it may involve individual or group counseling using cognitive behavioral therapy, schema-focused therapy, and dialectical behavior narcissism and alcoholism therapy. For AUD, group approaches such as AA and other twelve-step addiction programs are common. The treatment of NPD and AUD should ideally be delivered simultaneously, especially if there is severe addiction or depression. With that said, there are challenges to delivering appropriate care for the dual diagnosis.

Understanding Narcissism

Individuals with vulnerable narcissism can also be very sensitive to any perceived slights or criticisms. As a result, they may display envy or schadenfreude (feeling secretly happy at other’s misfortune). They may seek admiration in less obvious ways, such as being negative or putting themselves down to solicit admiration from others to bolster their own feelings of self-worth. Having a support network can provide emotional validation and guidance during challenging times. Let them face the consequences of their behavior and the impact their alcohol abuse is having on their lives.

• Narcissism and drug use are strongly linked, with many narcissistic individuals using drugs to enhance their sense of power and control over others.
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• This is when a professional will perform a comprehensive exploration of your personality through your history, questionnaires, and performance-based instruments.
• NPD is a mental health condition in which a person displays a pattern of grandiose behavior, lack of empathy for others, and need for excessive attention and admiration [2].

NPD diagnosis

“To the extent that you can’t depend on people, you’ll depend on other sources to soothe yourself, like feeling special (narcissism) or watching pornography or getting drunk. But addiction makes us all more narcissistic—willing to lie, steal, cheat, and even exploit others to get our high.” One thing that has intrigued researchers about narcissists is that they are ultimately playing a losing game, and prone to self-defeating behaviors. Research has shown that there may be a genetic predisposition to both narcissism and addiction. Individuals with a family history of either condition may be at a higher risk of developing these conditions themselves. An individual may appear shy or reserved, yet they may have internal feelings of superiority or entitlement.

• As alcohol impairs judgment, a narcissist’s underlying need for control and power can escalate into full-scale aggression.
• When dealing with the complex and challenging combination of alcoholism and narcissism, seeking help and recovery is crucial for both the individual and their loved ones.

Rate of Recovery With Mental Illness

Drug and alcohol abuse complicates narcissistic personality disorder and worsens side effects such as depression and anxiety. For both narcissists and addicts, the major casualty is the destruction of personal relationships. Yes, it is common for individuals with narcissistic personality disorder to struggle with substance abuse.

Substance abuse can be used as a defense or a coping mechanism.

Where to Find a Support System

• But addiction makes us all more narcissistic—willing to lie, steal, cheat, and even exploit others to get our high.”
• If alcohol misuse begins to impact your life, health, or safety, you might have AUD.
• It is important for the codependent partner to recognize the unhealthy dynamics at play and seek support for themselves, such as therapy or support groups.
• Research has shown that there is an overlap between alcohol use disorder and personality disorders, including NPD.
• Alcohol can influence narcissistic behaviors, such as arrogance, self-importance, and feelings of superiority that aren’t otherwise present when sober.