Narcism and addiction: Is there a link?

Once treatment at rehab is concluded, aftercare programs such as sober living houses and support groups are used to help the patient maintain their sobriety. BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat. People with both NPD and AUD are often treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy. 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]. Given that genetic factors and childhood history are strongly linked to narcissism, it doesn’t seem that alcohol alone can directly cause narcissism.

When we drink, our inhibitions fall away, and we start to believe we are the most attractive, funniest, and cleverest person in the room. Both conditions may influence the other, and some symptoms or behaviors of each condition can overlap. If the person does not want to enter treatment or change, there may not be hope for healing. The best thing to do at that point is to seek out individual therapy for yourself and work on setting firmer boundaries. We do not receive any compensation or commission for referrals to other treatment facilities. For many of these individuals, alcohol leads to significant disruptions in their everyday life.

Arrogant and Manipulative Behavior

At the rehab center, the alcoholism and narcissistic personality disorder must be treated separately but congruently in order to avoid relapse situations. Both NPD and AUD are mental health conditions classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). According to a 2019 study in Behavioral Medicine, 40.6% of NPD have substance abuse problems. On the flip side, grandiose and vulnerable NPD were both independent factors for alcohol abuse, concluded a 2019 study in the Journal of American College Health.

• The ironic reality behind narcissistic behavior is that it only gets you so far.
• However, it’s recommended that both conditions are treated at the same time to improve your likelihood of recovery.
• This feeds negative connotations of people suffering from BPD and creates a perception that they have the disorder because they are alcoholics.
• Drinking alcohol may be a way for them to project a carefree and fun-loving image, further bolstering their grandiose self-image.

These individuals will debate, argue, distract, or back you into a corner, due to the way alcohol affects them. Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive, complicated disease that is hallmarked by an unmanageable compulsion to drink alcohol. Regardless narcissism and alcoholism 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 (NPD), but usually not enough to be diagnosed.

What is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)?

Students between the ages of 18 and 25 were eligible to participate. Participants were told of the nature of the study and provided informed consent by agreeing to take the online survey. All procedures were approved by the institutional review board (IRB).

As with all personality disorders, NPD is a long-standing condition. In order to receive a diagnosis of NPD, someone needs to display the above symptoms over several years. A 2018 study found that people with personality disorders were more likely to have AUD at some point in their lives.

Can alcoholism cause narcissistic personality disorder?

Participants completed an online survey with questionnaires measuring the variables of interest. This is especially important since narcissists are also master manipulators that can guilt trip enablers. Narcissists are obsessed with the idea of their public image, so many become good at hiding the addiction, to the point that you may see them often and never know it.

People with narcissism usually have incorrect perceptions about their life and what people think of them. They may believe that only their version of reality is accurate and are often unconcerned with the damage that their arrogant and manipulative behavior does to other people. When narcissism is combined with the cravings and impulses of alcoholism, this behavior only worsens. Living with or loving someone who exhibits traits of a narcissistic alcoholic can be taxing. It’s important to take care of yourself to be able to help or take care of other people. A narcissist exhibits destructive behavior due to a lack of empathy and authentic emotions.

The Link Between Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Alcoholism

If so, that seems to make the kinship ties of narcissism and addiction even more evident. One thing that has intrigued researchers about narcissists is that they are ultimately playing a losing game, and prone to self-defeating behaviors. Below, we’ll dive into just how strong the link between narcissism and alcoholism is, the similarities and differences of these disorders, and what to do https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/essential-tremor-alcohol/ if you or someone you love shares these traits. In the case of any SUD and co-occurring disorder, it is best to treat them together. Ignoring one or the other can mean missing a key part as to why the person turned to addiction. If you believe you or someone you know is suffering from an AUD caused by BPD, or vice versa, then the path to sobriety may be more difficult than you realized.

• Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are closely linked and can occur together as a dual diagnosis.
• If you do relapse, try to seek help again — it’s still possible to make a full recovery.
• Research suggests that narcissism is not caused by alcohol, but rather by other factors that occur during the early developmental period.
• Lastly, don’t be afraid to set boundaries and find support in family and friends.
• People with narcissism and those with an addiction share similar character traits.

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. Someone who has a diagnosis of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) experiences grandiose, arrogant behavior patterns that are coupled with a lack of empathy and need to be admired. These behaviors are at the expense of other people, including loved ones. You could start by engaging with a mental healthcare provider or treatment center that specializes in dual diagnoses. Treatment centers can also ensure that you can access the right support systems at the right time in your treatment.