The person then seeks out alcohol or substances to mediate these feelings, leading to more feelings of shame, and so on. This creates a pattern of dependent behavior, which is extremely harmful. It is important to note, however, that the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) does not distinguish between types of narcissism. The idea of vulnerable versus grandiose narcissism comes from the psychodynamic idea that people with narcissistic traits believe they need to be perfect to be okay.
- 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous provide a structured approach to recovery and ongoing support.
- People with narcissistic traits often have trouble maintaining healthy relationships.
- Consider the similarities with the list we shared earlier on abusive personality disorder signs.
- People may be unable to prevent certain factors, such as genetic reasons, that increase the risk of AUD and NPD.
- Family therapy sessions can help address underlying family dynamics that may contribute to both NPD and AUD.
- If someone you know has alcoholic narcissist symptoms, don’t neglect your own needs.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Addiction
- Learn how our holistic approach and trauma-informed care can bring hope and healing to those affected by these conditions.
- Understanding these shared traits and behaviors is crucial in determining the most effective treatment approaches for individuals with co-occurring narcissism and alcoholism.
- When two conditions like narcissism and alcoholism occur together, sometimes people believe that one disorder causes the other, but co-occurring disorders are more complex than that.
- A doctor can offer help and treatment to those dealing with addiction, which may involve suggesting lifestyle changes or rehabilitation clinics.
For NPD, it may involve individual or group counseling using cognitive behavioral therapy, schema-focused therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy. For AUD, group narcissism and alcoholism approaches such as AA and other twelve-step addiction programs are common. By doing so, a person is less likely to be “over-treated” for a condition they may not actually have. A 42-year-old male professional in public office, Edgar, was forced to resign after being arrested when visiting a brothel.
Alcoholism as a Catalyst for Narcissistic Behaviors
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. Also, people with AUD might seem to behave similarly to people with narcissistic traits. If you think you’re misusing alcohol, or if you think you have NPD, reach out to a mental health professional.
Outlook With Narcissism and Alcoholism
According to a 2019 study in Behavioral Medicine, 40.6% of NPD have substance use problems. On the flip side, grandiose and vulnerable NPD were both independent factors for alcohol misuse, concluded a 2019 study in the Journal of American College Health. Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is characterized by the personality traits of persistent grandiosity, an excessive need for admiration, and a personal disdain and lack of empathy for other people. As such, an individual with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) usually displays arrogance and a distorted sense of personal superiority and seeks to establish abusive power and control over others.
People in the latter group are less able to recognize that they have a problem and are, therefore, less likely to be ready to change their behaviors. People with vulnerable narcissism tend to show avoidant, defensive, or hypersensitive behaviors, and they often experience feelings of rage at a perceived lack of esteem or respect. People with grandiose narcissism tend to have very high self-esteem, behave in a dominant way, and overestimate their own capabilities. Narcissism may leave people more prone to problematic substance use, including alcohol use disorder, as well as other forms of addiction, such as sex addiction and social media addiction. They are also places where people share tips on how to deal with both conditions.