Alcoholic Narcissist: How the Two Conditions Are Related

If you or a loved one is suffering from alcoholism or NPD, we are here. It can be fun and relaxing to go out for drinks with your friends on Friday nights after a long work week or have a cocktail before bed. Many people drink alcohol and do so regularly, but how do you know when your drinking has become a problem? Self-centeredness often leads to acting manipulatively toward others. Instead of being honest and willing to accept what may or may not happen, alcoholics will use manipulation to get what they want, like money, alcohol, or something they need. Someone with narcissism may use alcohol to cope with their personal problems.

• Alcohol becomes a coping mechanism to temporarily bolster their confidence and alleviate their internal insecurities.
• The main treatment for NPD is talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy.
• If you’ve ever wondered if your loved one’s issues involve only their drinking problem or may in fact involve narcissism as well, consider the following symptoms.
• Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are closely linked and can occur together as a dual diagnosis.
• There is a strong association between SUDs and other mental health disorders.

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who has been providing mental health services for over 10 years. When interacting with an alcoholic narcissist, it is necessary to know when to say “no”. You must ask yourself what you are willing to accept from them and what you are not. For instance, you can state, “if you continue to insult me I will not entertain this conversation until you can treat me with respect”. This indicates to the individual that you are not willing to accept being treated with disrespect and you will not engage in any degrading conversations. You do not need anyone’s permission to leave an unhealthy or toxic interaction.

Overlapping causes and risk factors

Alternatively, you can access support symptoms for each condition separately. By way of example, a person must meet five of nine possible criteria for NPD to be diagnosed, ranging from grandiosity to a lack of empathy. Similarly, using alcohol doesn’t mean a person with NPD has AUD, even if there have been incidents of extreme intoxication.

A psychiatrist may carry out a standard psychiatric interview, which healthcare professionals use to diagnose personality disorders. Healthcare professionals may also use the Narcissistic Personality Inventory to diagnose narcissism. Through these therapeutic approaches, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ individuals can explore the underlying causes of their narcissistic tendencies and alcohol abuse. Therapists provide guidance, support, and tools to develop healthier coping mechanisms, enhance self-awareness, and improve interpersonal relationships.

How Narcissists and Alcoholics Are Similar

Although people with AUD may relapse or have treatment setbacks, they can recover from the disorder. Learning healthy coping strategies can help them remain sober when they face triggers. Both conditions may influence the other, and some symptoms or behaviors of each condition can overlap. You might also consider seeing a therapist who can provide you with coping tools and a means to sort out your feelings.

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. If you’re suspecting the person in your life is a narcissist, there are some common signs of narcissism you should pay attention to. However, many signs can overlap between alcoholism and Narcissism, and it’s important to know if it actually is both, or just one that is causing the severity of the other’s symptoms. You can call us 24/7 at American Addiction Institute of Mind and Medicine to discuss options and how to help your loved one.

Rate of Recovery With Mental Illness

Narcissistic alcoholics may partake in reckless actions to satisfy their need for excitement and attention, disregarding the potential consequences. Despite their outward display of confidence, narcissistic alcoholics often possess fragile self-esteem [3]. They rely on external validation to maintain their self-worth and may experience intense feelings of insecurity when not receiving admiration or praise. A hallmark trait of both NPD and alcoholic narcissism is a notable lack of empathy [2].

They can talk to a therapist individually, or they can attend group sessions with people who have similar experiences. A personality disorder is a mental disorder in which a person maintains an unhealthy way of thinking and behaving. Someone with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) has narcissism and alcoholism an inflated ego. It should be noted that narcissism is a trait, but can also be part of a personality disorder. People who are at the highest end of the spectrum are the people who are classified as NPD. Others with narcissistic traits may fit on the lower end of the narcissistic spectrum.

If you or a loved one needs help for a substance use disorder and a co-occurring  mental health disorder, you can find help for both at Chapters Recovery Center. We can provide a medically supervised detox (a necessity for alcohol withdrawal) and a range of outpatient programs, beginning with the most intensive partial hospitalization program (PHP). You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to reach out for help. Alternatively, having a narcissistic personality disorder can make a person more susceptible to the abuse of alcohol.

Whether or not this person decides to seek treatment, don’t overlook your well-being and your right to a healthy, happy life. In a nutshell, grandiose narcissists may feel proud of their excessive alcohol use, and the problems it can cause, if it makes them stand out. Meanwhile, vulnerable narcissists deal with inner shame that can make them more likely to develop alcohol abuse problems later on as a way to cope. The family members of alcoholic narcissists should receive support as well.