Narcissism & Alcoholism: Understanding the Complex Interplay

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. Local community resources, such as counseling services or addiction support centers, offer specialized assistance. These organizations often provide education about narcissism and alcoholism. Living with or supporting a narcissistic alcoholic requires specific strategies. These approaches focus on self-care, boundary-setting, and building a strong support network.

Denial, Grandiosity, and the Worrisome Signs of an Alcoholic Narcissist

• These approaches focus on self-care, boundary-setting, and building a strong support network.
• Third, people with vulnerable narcissism will avoid taking personal responsibility at all costs.
• In a study of college students, it was found that grandiose narcissism appears to be a positive indicator of alcohol misuse.
• Pennsylvania’s detox facilities are increasingly focused on treating co-occurring conditions like narcissism and alcoholism together.
• A narcissist struggling with addiction might engage in even more boastful behavior, taking unnecessary risks to prove their superiority.

Medications for AUD can help to reduce cravings and withdrawal side effects, whereas therapy can be beneficial for reducing distorted thinking about alcohol and developing stronger coping skills. Therapy can also help people with NPD to process unresolved childhood trauma and develop skills for managing their symptoms 1. 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.

Ways Narcissists and Alcoholics are Similar

Some of the traits of NPD can make it very challenging for people to engage in the treatment process. They will support you through the journey of overcoming addiction and dealing with the underlying personality issues, which will ultimately pave the way for a healthier, happier life. In addition, many narcissists who attempt to avert low self-esteem often turn to drugs to replace the real with the ideal. Whether you have a narcissistic personality disorder, a substance use disorder, or co-occurring disorders, programs can be tailored to your individual needs or the needs of a loved one. We offer sober companions who provide 24/7 support and guidance to individuals who are recovering from substance or alcohol use disorder, particularly alcoholic narcissists.

Do Narcissists Lack Self-Control? (To What Extent They Can Go In Anger?)

In Pennsylvania—where the overlap between substance use and personality disorders has become a growing clinical focus. These centers specialize in treating both mental health disorders and substance abuse simultaneously, offering integrated and personalized treatment plans for effective recovery. So, understanding this relationship is necessary for addressing both conditions effectively.

For each regression model, gender, social desirability, and alcohol use (in the models where it wasn’t the outcome) were entered at Step 1. Though age was collected, it was not controlled for due to the sample being so homogenous. At Step 2 the types of narcissism, vulnerable and grandiose, were simultaneously entered into the model. An overall mean score of narcissism was calculated for the two subscales (i.e., grandiose and vulnerable narcissism). Internal consistency in the current study was alpha of .84 for the grandiose narcissism subscale and .79 for the vulnerable narcissism subscale. Little is known about narcissism and drinking in college students, a population that is at high risk for alcohol-related problems.

Alcoholics also do not realize how their drunk drug addiction behavior hurts other people and thus maintaining their relationships becomes challenging for them. Even alcoholics may distort the reality of the facts that may prove that their drinking problem is creating problems for others too. Whereas, alcoholics also drink just to get away from their problems and the pain that self-reflection might bring.

Getting Help For Alcoholic Narcissists

They often hurt people because they don’t have the ability or want to understand other people’s emotions. Family therapy is particularly beneficial, aiding relatives in managing stress and rebuilding strained relationships through structured support and communication strategies. The journey is challenging, but with persistent effort, it can lead to meaningful progress.

The combination of these conditions often results in a cycle of dependency and deteriorating health. For a person to recover fully, they’ll generally need treatment that addresses both disorders. A person with narcissistic personality disorder may have an inflated or grandiose sense of self-importance or worth and experience feelings of entitlement. Healthcare professionals may ask people about their drinking habits to assess AUD.

What are the symptoms of each condition?

People with narcissistic traits often have trouble maintaining healthy relationships. They may struggle with jealousy, have a sense of drug addiction entitlement, and display manipulative behaviors. It is not uncommon for two mental health conditions to co-exist (referred to as a comorbidity).