However, some with NPD may not be aware of how their behavior affects others. Sian Ferguson is a freelance health and cannabis writer based in Cape Town, South Africa. She’s passionate about empowering readers to take care of their mental mesclun vs mesculin everything you need to know and physical health through science-based, empathetically delivered information. The main treatment for NPD is talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy. Genetics also seem to play a role in the development of both conditions.
A 2018 meta-analysis looked at the results of 62 studies and found that grandiose narcissism has a moderate association with increased social network use. It found that individuals with grandiose narcissism have more friends and followers, post more often, and spend more time on social media than other people. Both grandiose and vulnerable narcissism are strong predictors of alcohol-related problems, according to a 2018 study of 345 college students.
Similarly, using alcohol doesn’t mean a person with NPD has AUD, even if there have been incidents of extreme intoxication. Both AUD and NPD have distinctive symptoms and features that occur independently of each other. Take our short alcohol quiz to learn where you fall on the drinking spectrum and if you might benefit from quitting or cutting back on alcohol.
What Makes Narcissism and Alcoholism Different?
The narcissist-like behavior of some alcoholics may only be a result of their addiction—it may not be how they really are when sober. And while there are some links between alcoholism and narcissism overall, the connection isn’t as straightforward as some might think. A 2019 study found a link between vulnerable narcissism, shame, and an increased likelihood of problem drinking and gambling.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to set boundaries and find support in family and friends. Remember that a person with both alcoholic and narcissistic traits may need to get professional help before they can have a healthy relationship with crack addiction signs and symptoms of crack cocaine use you again. For a person to recover fully, they’ll generally need treatment that addresses both disorders. Narcissistic personality disorder is just one of several personality disorders that can be dually diagnosed with alcoholism.
Narcissists May Be More Likely to Struggle with Alcohol Use Problems
For NPD, it may involve individual or group counseling using cognitive behavioral therapy, schema-focused therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy. For AUD, group approaches such as AA and other twelve-step addiction programs are adderall’s effects on the brain: short-term and long-term symptoms 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.
Narcissism and alcoholism are different conditions, but they can occur simultaneously and may share some overlapping symptoms. While both conditions can be challenging, certain approaches can help individuals overcome the potential complications of these disorders. A 2018 study found that people with personality disorders were more likely to have AUD at some point in their lives.
Talk therapy can be an effective treatment for people with narcissistic personality disorder. It can help them learn ways to develop empathy for others, assess their capabilities realistically, and improve their ability to regulate their emotions. It is important to note that people with an addiction do not always show signs of a narcissistic personality disorder and that people with narcissism do not always develop an addiction. 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. When people have a mental health condition that co-occurs with a substance misuse disorder, such as AUD, doctors may refer to this as dual diagnosis.
- Although people with AUD may relapse or have treatment setbacks, they can recover from the disorder.
- If someone you know has alcoholic narcissist symptoms, don’t neglect your own needs.
- This creates a pattern of dependent behavior, which is extremely harmful.
- If you answered “yes” to most of the questions above, speaking with a therapist might be a good idea.
These overlapping traits can make it hard to distinguish alcohol misuse from narcissism. “Covert narcissists get their attention in very subtle and sneaky ways, and they often may not even know that they’re doing this,” says Dr. Albers. The outlook is even better in people with mental illness who abuse alcohol and other substances. With any mental health condition, the outlook is almost invariably better if you are treated than not treated. For instance, NPD and AUD both involve psychotherapy, but the formats for each can vary.
Dual diagnosis
By educating yourself, you can also educate them about what AUD and NPD are about. You can take them with you to your next appointment to talk with your healthcare provider. Alternatively, you can access support symptoms for each condition separately. Gaslighting is a covert type of emotional abuse where the abuser misleads their victim, creating a false narrative and making them question their judgments and reality. Although estimates vary, up to 6.2% of people in community samples demonstrate NPD traits. When you’re caught in the crossfire of someone with these symptoms, recognize that you aren’t responsible for their behavior—as much as they might try to pin it on you or someone else.
Diagnosing alcoholism and NPD
Further research into the causes of AUD might help experts develop more treatment options. People who are genetically predisposed to experience unpleasant side effects of drinking are less likely to drink often, making AUD unlikely. However, research from 2014 tells us that genetics might play a part in whether some people develop NPD. 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. In order to get a diagnosis of AUD, you have to fit certain diagnostic criteria as set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). Someone who’s narcissistic might be self-absorbed and have an inflated sense of self-importance.
How does it link with addiction?
You might also consider seeing a therapist who can provide you with coping tools and a means to sort out your feelings. This is especially true if you have conflicted emotions and are reluctant to speak with others who might judge you or your relationship. Reach out to loved ones you trust who can walk with you through the recovery journal. Treating each condition independently can sometimes lead people to «choose one over the other,» especially if care is not coordinated. One example is being referred to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) on the presumption of AUD. In such cases, a person might start to question the diagnosis and abandon treatment altogether even if another condition, such as NPD, actually exists.
However, without affirmation, the same individual may feel depressed and ashamed. Therefore, the presence or absence of external validations of their value determines whether a person may have the traits of grandiose narcissism or vulnerable narcissism. 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.
Another study from 2019 found a link between drinking and the narcissistic traits of devaluing and entitlement-rage. Threatened egotism was listed as a factor that motivated increased alcohol use. There is much research to suggest a strong link between narcissism and problematic sexual behavior, notably infidelity and sexual assault. The same factors that drive the problematic use of alcohol and drugs can also drive sex addiction. These include fluctuating or low self-esteem, the devaluing of others, and a sense of invulnerability.