Is There a Connection Between Narcissism and Alcoholism?

Some people drink moderate amounts of alcohol and do not develop a disorder. Alcohol abuse is the most common form of drug abuse in America, with over 14.5 million people aged 12 or above suffering from a diagnosed disorder. It is characterized as a problematic relationship with alcohol where the individual cannot control their drinking, even when they want to stop. “We have become a nation of addicts–addicted to ourselves. We need a recovery program for the self-absorbed” – Patti Maguire Armstrong . Historically, narcissism has been deemed excessive selfishness or self-admiration.

This may be a place where you can see this process at work. All Addiction Resource content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible. She currently practices in the public domain in South Africa. She has an interest in medical writing and has a keen interest in evidence-based medicine. Frequently lie or manipulate to earn forgiveness, deny their actions or blame other people for their behavior.

The Link Between Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Alcoholism

Regardless of consequences, an alcoholic will find a reason to drink, even if they have to make one up and deny the actual repercussions. An alcoholic can exhibit symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder , but usually not enough to be diagnosed. Leaving the relationship is considered the ultimate betrayal by the narcissist because it endangers their fantasy of greatness. The fantasy must be maintained, but because it’s not real, it requires constant work to keep it going – both from the narcissist and the people in his or her life. Fantasies of greatness allow the narcissist to avoid deeper feelings of unworthiness and self-doubt. Because bursting the fantasy bubble would mean having to acknowledge these painful underlying feelings and fears, narcissists become extremely defensive and angry whenever someone tries to give them a reality check. Adultchildren.org (adultchildren.org) For adult children of alcoholics and addicts. Al-Anon.org (al-anon.org) For family members of alcoholics.

Jun 13, 2022 Addiction Resources Family Boundaries and Addiction Why are boundaries so important in addiction recovery? Who needs to set boundaries for recovering addicts and alcoholics? When other people point out their drinking problem, alcoholics react defensively. If they acknowledge their problem, it means they’ll have to take the difficult steps of addressing it. Regardless of what’s going on in their lives, alcoholics feel entitled to a drink. Nothing, not even their family’s pain, can stand in the way of the drink they feel they deserve. To an alcoholic narcissist, drinking becomes one of their layers of defense. But it’s an absolutely necessary step in any recovery process, so without it, there’s no hope. And if you get the narc to rehab, you’d better have a lot of money – or at least some darn good insurance – because most will require the highest-end facility within a reasonable travel distance .

Signs Of Alcoholism

Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder meet the criteria for drug abuse at three times the rate of the general population. Marijuana is known as the most commonly used illicit substance and is considered more socially acceptable than other drugs. As a result, individuals with NPD are more likely to abuse marijuana in hopes that they will not be judged. Some narcissists are known for their risky activities such as drug and alcohol consumption in excess – and these types of things often fuel those narcissistic behaviors. Often, narcissists are in codependent relationships anyway, but when you add drug or alcohol addiction to the mix, the toxicity level is off the chart. While alcoholism is an addiction and extreme narcissism is a personality disorder, narcissists and alcoholics tend to share 11 similarities. Knowing these can help you cope with people in your life who have narcissism or alcoholism.

You can find support by speaking with your healthcare provider about what you’re noticing or what others have told you. For example, maybe you’re considering seeing a healthcare provider because your spouse says you’re a narcissist who drinks too much and they won’t stop asking you to get help. It may be a good idea to slow down and, keeping in mind no one is perfect, really listen to what your spouse is saying and how your healthcare provider responds. How can you help a person with alcohol use disorder , formally called alcoholism? Similarly, people with dual diagnosis can manage their symptoms with appropriate treatment. With AUD, a person’s behavior may change depending on whether they are sober or not. An individual with NPD will display a consistent pattern of narcissistic behavior.

Furthermore, alcoholic narcissist has an exceptionally difficult time admitting that they have a problem. In general, narcissists don’t like to accept responsibility for what they say and do. When they abuse alcohol and develop a dependence on drinking, they may not accept or admit that there’s anything wrong with their life. The family members of alcoholic narcissists should receive support as well.

• This means that the signs of narcissism can vary, though many people show similar features.
• Because they lack empathy, they will often manipulate and abuse others without any sense of shame or wrongdoing.
• Those close to both narcissists and alcoholics experience deprivation, rejection, and feeling manipulated.

They can talk to a therapist individually, or they can attend group sessions with people who have similar experiences. Someone who has both disorders can receive help for both at once. Many drug treatment centers have dual diagnosis departments. An individual can receive diagnoses of both conditions and begin treatments for both right away. A personality disorder is a mental disorder in which a person maintains an unhealthy way of thinking and behaving. Someone with narcissistic personality disorder has an inflated ego. An alcohol use disorder occurs when a person becomes dependent on alcohol for a long period of time.

Differences Between Alcoholism and Narcissism

The researchers found that grandiose narcissism, i.e., overt narcissism, was a positive predictor of alcohol consumption. People in this group were also less likely to see their alcohol use as a problem. Those close to both narcissists and alcoholics experience deprivation, rejection, and feeling manipulated. In addition, over time, both narcissists and alcoholics sacrifice their well-being, reputation, relationships, and self-worth in pursuit of feeling superior or the highs from drinking. Narcissists feel they can do no wrong and lie freely to promote their image. Denial manifests for alcoholics in many ways, such as saying they can stop drinking anytime they want, lying about when they drink, or refusing to acknowledge that their drinking has costs. That’s why participants in 12-step programs introduce themselves followed by the phrase, “I’m an alcoholic.” It helps break denial. Outpatient rehab allows patients to recover from a co-occurring disorder while still attending to daily personal and professional responsibilities at home. An individual in outpatient rehab will learn how to cope with the mental health struggles that arise in daily life and apply what they’ve learned to everyday situations with the continued support of medical professionals. While alcoholism is an addiction and narcissism is a personality disorder, the two share many characteristics that may cause trouble in their personal, social, and work lives.

Whatever the case may be, people need effective alcoholism treatment A strong treatment program will address both the problematic drinking and any other psychological issues, including narcissistic tendencies. Along with denying the existence of their drinking problem, alcoholics refuse to take responsibility for their harmful behaviors. Think about a typical alcoholic personality, the way that people with alcoholism relate to others and see themselves. Consider the similarities with the list we shared earlier on abusive personality disorder signs. A lot of addicted narcissists will claim that their drug of choice enhances their lives or personalities, and they’ll swear that they have control over their addiction.

Get Guided Help with Your Narcissistic Abuse Recovery

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Narcissists feel they can do whatever they want at the expense of other people. Narcissists thrive on attention, and they like the feeling of superiority. Alcohol addiction involves cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal. Alcoholism is used to describe a person’s chemical and psychological dependence on alcohol. An addiction specialist can help answer your questions and guide you through the intake process. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) focuses more on this grandiosity than the more vulnerable aspects of narcissism.

Narcissism is a personality trait where people may feel a need for admiration, show a lack of empathy, or be self-involved. It is typical for people to display occasional narcissistic traits, but a pattern of narcissism could be part of narcissistic personality disorder , a mental health condition. Narcissistic personality disorder is just one of several personality disordersthat can be dually diagnosed with alcoholism. However, there is some evidence that having narcissistic narcissism and alcohol abuse personality disorder can make you more vulnerable to alcohol abuse. Narcissism is a personality disorder that may cause individuals to display grandiose and self-involved behaviors. Alcoholism is an addiction where people cannot control their alcohol use. Narcissism and alcoholism may both share similar characteristics and can occur at the same time. Recognizing these links traits may enable individuals to seek appropriate help in managing these conditions.

Many of the symptoms of NPD are thought to be the result of a sensitive or vulnerable ego. While they may not show it outwardly, criticism is especially unbearable for a narcissist. They may dwell on it, or be haunted by it, and end up enraged or retaliating. All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional. Demands special treatment and always has to be the center of attention. An intervention is not about how to control the substance user; it is about how to let go of believing you can.

Treating alcohol use disorder without addressing the narcissism or other mental health issues that underlie substance abuse will increase the chances of relapse and the need for more professional treatment. For these reasons, alcoholic narcissists need dual diagnosis care. If a loved one shows signs of substance abuse and the symptoms of a personality disorder, it is important to seek professional help for proper treatment. Only clinical psychologists should diagnose specific personality disorders, so be sure that any treatment center you’re considering has professionals who can treat co-occurring addiction and mental health disorders. There are many different types of mental health disorders and traits that affect people with alcohol use disorder. Narcissism, which comes in many forms, is not a mental health disorder in and of itself. Being a narcissist is not the same thing as having a narcissistic personality disorder , but it can impact a person’s behavior and how they experience alcohol addiction. Angela Atkinson is a certified trauma counselor and the author of more than 20 books on narcissism, narcissistic abuse recovery, and related topics. Atkinson was inspired to begin her work as a result of having survived toxic relationships of her own. Atkinson offers trauma-informed narcissistic abuse recovery coaching and has certifications in trauma counseling, life coaching, level 2 therapeutic model, CBT coaching, integrative wellness coaching, and NLP.

They may abuse staff and cause trouble for other patients, and they may make group therapy impossible . If you’re trying to help the narcissist hide the addiction, or if you’re helping him or her to procure the drugs/alcohol s/he needs to feed the addiction (even if it’s only to shut him/her up). This means that Sober Home millions of people may have both conditions at once. Yet information about an alcoholic narcissist is not clear. Similarly, an alcoholics behavior and personality can change drastically, especially when under the influence. Alcohol lowers inhibitions, leading to outrageous, dangerous or abusive behavior.

In some cases, they take money set aside for household expenses or their children’s education. Along with emotionally or physically neglecting their loved ones, they sometimes commit physical abuse. People use alcohol and drugs to relax, escape, and as a reward. The addict needs to find alternative ways to relax, escape, and as a reward otherwise, they will turn back to their addiction.