What’s the Link Between Narcissism and Alcohol?

This internal instability often drives the need for external validation and can contribute to unhealthy behaviors, such as substance use, to regulate mood or escape painful feelings. Narcissism and alcoholism – on their own, each can be profoundly disruptive. She’s passionate about empowering readers to take care of their mental and physical health through science-based, empathetically delivered information.

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• There are resources available, from therapists specializing in dual diagnosis to support groups for loved ones affected by narcissistic behaviors.
• Coping with someone with a dual diagnosis can be more difficult than if that person suffered from only narcissism or untreated alcoholism.
• Addressing covert narcissism and alcoholism concurrently through therapy, support groups, medication, and lifestyle adjustments is essential for promoting recovery and enhancing overall well-being.
• Therefore, simultaneous treatment of alcoholism and narcissistic personality disorder is essential.
• If you or someone you care about is struggling with these issues, don’t hesitate to take the first step toward healing.

If someone has AUD as well as a personality disorder, it’s recommended that both are treated at the same time to improve their chances of recovery. However, treatments like psychotherapy, group support, and self-care strategies can help people with either condition feel much better. A 2018 study found that people with personality disorders were more likely to have AUD at some point in their lives. Traits like narcissism and personality disorders like NPD are long-standing. It’s possible to have a narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) as well as an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Alcoholism often co-occurs with personality disorders, including narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).

Making a dual diagnosis of NPD and AUD can be challenging and something that only a qualified mental health professional can make. When this happens, it’s often referred to as a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders. It’s common for two mental health conditions to co-exist, a situation known as comorbidity.

It’s a delicate dance of support and tough love, requiring patience and understanding from all involved. Support groups like Narcissists Anonymous (yes, it’s a real thing) and traditional 12-step programs can provide a sense of community and accountability. However, building and maintaining healthy relationships can be challenging for these individuals. But it’s a journey worth taking. But with skilled therapists and a commitment to change, recovery covert narcissism and alcoholism is possible.

Patience and support are therefore needed to ensure the best possible outcomes. Even with therapy, progress can be slow in changing the core behaviors. Medications like Campral, Topamax, and Revia have greatly improved AUD recovery rates. Alcohol use disorder is characterized by periods of sobriety and relapse. For AUD, group approaches such as AA and other twelve-step addiction programs are common.

Why They Should Be Treated Together

Now, let’s throw addiction into this already complicated mix. Or the friend who always seems to be in crisis, demanding your attention and support while never reciprocating. The covert narcissist might be the colleague who subtly undermines your achievements while playing the role of the underdog. But beneath this carefully crafted exterior lies a burning desire for admiration and a deep-seated sense of entitlement.

Overlapping tools for diagnosis

Understanding these behavioral patterns is crucial in addressing the complexities of coexisting alcohol addiction and covert narcissism. In observing the behavioral patterns of a covert narcissist alcoholic, it becomes evident how their reliance on alcohol intertwines with their narcissistic traits to create a complex and challenging dynamic. You could start by engaging with a mental healthcare provider or treatment center that specializes in dual diagnoses. If you have NPD and AUD, finding support can be challenging because they are two separate disorders with two separate treatment approaches.

• People who spend time around alcoholics or narcissists will also feel the destructive effects of their actions.
• They are also places where people share tips on how to deal with both conditions.
• When combined with alcohol misuse, these tactics can intensify, making it even harder for loved ones to maintain emotional balance.
• The information on this page is provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
• Individuals exhibiting narcissistic traits may turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism, using it to reinforce grandiosity or suppress underlying feelings of inadequacy.

Their narcissistic behavior is often dangerous and abusive. Their narcissistic tendencies don’t come across as obviously as those of a grandiose narcissist. Since they may seem shy or anxious, vulnerable narcissists are harder to spot. These narcissists are hypersensitive to criticism, insecure, and jealous.

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Get the mental health treatment you deserve If you or a loved one struggles with narcissism and alcoholism, Charlie Health can help. Both narcissists and people with AUD may have trouble recognizing and admitting that they have a problem –– but once they acknowledge it and actively put in the work in therapy, they can improve.

It’s worth noting that the DSM-5-TR doesn’t use the term “alcoholism,” but the term is still used colloquially to refer to AUD. If alcohol misuse begins to impact your life, health, or safety, you might have AUD. However, NPD includes other traits, such as needing constant praise and special treatment, reacting negatively to criticism, and manipulating others. Although alcohol misuse and AUD can cause someone to display narcissist-like behavior, this behavior might change when they’re sober or in recovery.

FAQ About Alcoholic Narcissists and the Link Between Alcoholism and Narcissism

To avoid feelings of shame, failure, or insignificance, they develop maladaptive coping mechanisms – often relying on substance use to manage difficult emotions or maintain a sense of control. Over time, alcohol misuse can lead to destructive behavior, eroded relationships, and deepened emotional isolation. Alcohol may amplify feelings of superiority, reduce inhibitions, and allow the narcissistic individual to project a more desirable version of themselves. However, over time, alcohol dependence can exacerbate emotional instability, increase interpersonal conflict, and reinforce harmful behavioral patterns. Alcohol can temporarily elevate mood and reinforce a sense of control or superiority, aligning with narcissistic tendencies such as grandiosity and entitlement.

You can also find narcissist abuse support groups, both online or in-person, through organizations like Help Within Reach. They’re often the best people to practice disclosure with. Reach out to loved ones you trust who can walk with you through the recovery journal.

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Alcohol abuse often intensifies narcissistic behaviors such as arrogance, manipulation, and emotional detachment, which can strain or destroy relationships. Narcissistic individuals may be more prone to using alcohol as a tool to enhance their self-image or avoid vulnerability. Their alcohol use is often tied to a need for control, admiration, or escape from emotional discomfort. They may exhibit denial of their drinking problem, blame others for their behavior, and show little concern for how their alcohol use affects relationships. If you or someone you care about is struggling with these issues, don’t hesitate to take the first step toward healing.

Depending on the severity of AUD, some people may choose residential treatment, while others may choose outpatient treatment. Lyter says alcohol use disorder is severe, progressive, and can eventually lead to death if not treated. The stakes for treating alcohol use disorder are even higher.

Unveiling the Covert Narcissist Alcoholic: Signs to Watch For

Treating co-occurring narcissism and alcoholism requires a comprehensive approach that considers the unique psychological defenses, motivations, and vulnerabilities of the individual. Grandiosity – an exaggerated sense of self-worth – and self-centeredness are not just defining traits of narcissism; they also play a significant role in shaping patterns of alcohol use. The connection between narcissism and alcoholism is further complicated by the role of addictive behavior, which includes a compulsive need to seek pleasure and avoid discomfort. Individuals exhibiting narcissistic traits may turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism, using it to reinforce grandiosity or suppress underlying feelings of inadequacy. Also, people with AUD might seem to behave similarly to people with narcissistic traits. Therapy, a strong support system, and self-care strategies can help you make a full recovery.

Narcissism is a personality trait, while narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition. Our programs are designed to address both alcohol use disorder and the underlying personality traits or co-occurring mental health concerns that often accompany it. A trained mental health professional is usually able to diagnose personality disorders using standardized psychiatric interview methods.

There are numerous other online support groups and chat rooms dedicated to loved ones living with alcoholism and NPD. Without support, the stress can affect your own mental health and well-being. Without treatment, people with NPD have trouble maintaining positive relationships and are vulnerable to misusing drugs and alcohol to cope with difficult emotions. The outlook is even better in people with mental illness who misuse alcohol and other substances. Even so, with a combination of therapy, support, and persistence, around a third of people with AUD will maintain sobriety for at least a year and sometimes for decades.