10 Ways Narcissists and Alcoholics Are Similar

Displaying narcissistic behaviors while intoxicated doesn’t automatically mean you have NPD. Another study in the Journal of American College Health concluded that both grandiose and vulnerable types of NPD are independent factors for alcohol misuse. A 2019 study from Behavioral Medicine, found that 40.6% of individuals with NPD experience substance use problems.

As we continue to destigmatize mental health and addiction treatment, it’s crucial to include discussions about personality disorders and their impact on addictive behaviors. Seek treatment and support if you or someone you know has alcohol use and narcissistic personality disorders. Narcissism, formally known as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), and alcoholism, now referred to as alcohol use disorder (AUD), are two distinct mental health conditions.

• They will also deny when they had a drink or that their drinking has unhealthy consequences.
• The dance between covert narcissism and addiction may be sinister, but it doesn’t have to be a life sentence.
• With the right treatment approach, support system, and personal commitment, individuals can break free from this toxic cycle and build healthier, more fulfilling lives.
• If you think you have either or both conditions, it’s best to talk with a mental health professional for a diagnosis.
• While different from covert narcissism, it underscores the need for comprehensive mental health services that can address multiple, interrelated issues.

The impact at home: common patterns you might recognize

Support systems play a crucial role in the healing process for individuals grappling with covert narcissism and addiction. The principles of detachment and self-care outlined in this resource can be equally valuable for covert narcissists seeking to break free from their own destructive patterns. Recovery from the dual challenges of covert narcissism and addiction is not a straight path. Treating covert narcissism and addiction simultaneously is no small feat. It’s important to note that these traits can also be present in individuals with addiction who don’t have narcissistic tendencies. Identifying covert narcissism in individuals struggling with addiction can be like trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing.

Support from loved ones can help people with NPD or AUD change their behavior and work toward recovery. You can connect with a mental health professional using the Healthline FindCare tool. If you think you have NPD, try to make an appointment with a mental health professional. However, it’s recommended that both conditions are treated at the same time to improve your likelihood of recovery. If you do relapse, try to seek help again — it’s still possible to make a full recovery.

Strategies for Dealing With Covert Narcissist Alcoholics

Covert narcissists, characterized by a subtle yet pervasive sense of superiority and a fragile self-esteem, may turn to alcohol as a means to bolster their grandiose self-image and cope with underlying emotional turmoil. You could start by exploring peer support groups like Al-Anon that help families and loved ones living with people with AUD. By building support from family and friends, you are more likely to stay on course with your dual treatment plan and avoid the stress that can make AUD and NPD worse. You can take them with you to your next appointment to talk with your healthcare provider.

• These two disorders, especially when occurring together, have a major impact on relationships, whether with family, friends, or romantic partners.
• Sobriety often reduces alcohol‑driven disinhibition and conflict, which may lessen narcissistic‑seeming behaviors tied to intoxication.
• Not all narcissists are abusers, but some may engage in narcissistic abuse, which is typically emotional abuse.
• Finding the right support system is crucial when managing NPD and AUD.
• There appears to be no significant relationship between narcissistic personality disorder and substance use relapses.9

They’ll connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor Alcohol addiction affects an alcoholic’s behavior and the way they treat people, as well. Both narcissists and alcoholics will become defensive once people confront them about their actions. Co-occurring disorders are substance use disorders and mental disorders that exist at the same time. Unlike other disorders, their need for admiration and control can mask or complicate the recognition of alcohol dependency. Navigating the dual challenges of narcissism and alcoholism can be overwhelming, both for those experiencing it and for the loved ones around them.

Online Therapy Can Help

Understanding these dynamics is crucial in addressing the complexities of alcohol use in individuals with narcissistic traits. The associations between covert narcissism and alcohol abuse can result in heightened psychological distress and interpersonal difficulties. The intricate interplay between narcissism and alcoholism can create a challenging dynamic that goes unnoticed by many.

To mitigate the impacts, it’s imperative to reduce alcohol consumption and seek the right support. Recognizing the link between narcissism, mental, and physical health is crucial in addressing the root causes of the behavior. When examining the impacts of a covert narcissist alcoholic on relationships and the environment, it becomes evident how their behaviors can create a challenging and disruptive atmosphere. This reliance on alcohol as a coping mechanism can exacerbate their narcissistic tendencies, leading to a detrimental cycle of reinforcement.

How does narcissism influence the likelihood of developing alcoholism compared to other personality disorders?

In conclusion, it’s important to recognize the destructive combination of covert narcissism and alcoholism. This interplay often manifests in various ways, shedding light on the intricate relationship between their narcissistic personality disorder and alcohol use. Understanding the complex interplay between covert narcissism and alcoholism sheds light on the challenges individuals face when navigating these intertwined conditions. Narcissistic personality disorder can be one of the more challenging mental health conditions to treat. Yes, early experiences such as neglect, excessive criticism, or inconsistent validation can contribute to both narcissistic personality traits and a tendency toward substance abuse. Traditional methods of addiction recovery may fall short if they do not address the narcissistic traits that undermine engagement, accountability, or long-term growth.

The first step is to consult with a primary care doctor, who can recommend a treatment plan or suggest a referral. NPD treatment is usually ongoing therapy. Another study from 2019 found a link between drinking and the narcissistic traits of devaluing and entitlement-rage. Aggressive behavior and pathological narcissism were linked to alcohol overuse in a 2017 study of Canadian men.

Understanding the Connection Between Narcissism and Alcoholism

Vulnerable narcissism features traits like low self-esteem, helplessness, and rejection sensitivity. For some people, alcohol use becomes regular and problematic and may lead to dependence. Health plan’s telehealth and in-person services are subject to the same timely access to care standards. Charlie Health’s virtual eating disorder treatment program for individuals with a primary eating disorder diagnosis is only available in select states Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, mental health tips, mental health in the news, and expertise on managing mental health. Our clinicians meet you where you are in your recovery journey and incorporate evidence-based therapies into individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions.

Are Narcissists More Likely to Develop Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)?

By treating alcoholism and narcissism together, we provide a clear pathway to long-term recovery and healthier, more fulfilling lives. Clinically, narcissism lives on a spectrum; narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a formal diagnosis, and AUD is a distinct, treatable medical condition. It’s a shorthand people use to describe someone who shows narcissistic traits alongside heavy drinking or alcohol use disorder (AUD). Whether you have narcissistic personality disorder, alcohol use disorder, or both, getting professional help is crucial. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 22.6% of people with any personality disorder also have a substance use disorder. We treat personality disorders and substance use disorders

Although narcissistic individuals may project confidence and superiority, many experience profound self-esteem issues beneath the surface. While individuals with this disorder may appear confident or charismatic on the surface, their behavior often masks underlying emotional fragility, insecurity, and chronic dissatisfaction. Research indicates that narcissism often stems from early developmental disturbances, which can result in a fragile self-concept and a heightened sensitivity to criticism. Sian Ferguson is a freelance health and cannabis writer based in Cape Town, South Africa. People with NPD may be more likely to misuse alcohol and develop AUD. There’s little data on whether people with both NPD and AUD have a different outlook than people who have only one of the conditions.

They might go to therapy if a loved one is very concerned about their worsening behavior, or they might go to therapy for another issue altogether, like depression. There may be lots of arguments and disagreements without healthy conflict-resolution skills. Lyter says this can be further exacerbated by alcohol abuse. “Narcissists can often have a lot of feelings of envy, inadequacy, and pressure, so they’re more likely to cope using substances,” Lyter says. One of the main indicators of addiction is “if someone’s drinking is causing them problems, and they keep doing it anyway, and can’t stop drinking or don’t want to stop drinking,” Lyter says.

However, true NPD traits typically require psychotherapy (e.g., long‑term talk therapy). Sobriety often reduces alcohol‑driven disinhibition and conflict, which may lessen narcissistic‑seeming behaviors tied to intoxication. Alcohol can heighten impulsivity, grandiosity, and emotional dysregulation, potentially amplifying narcissistic traits (e.g., entitlement or low empathy) during intoxication or withdrawal. This doesn’t mean all narcissistic people develop AUD, but risk can be elevated—warranting screening for both. When paired with alcohol use disorder, these habits can escalate conflict and isolation.

Signs and Symptoms of NPD

Covert narcissism, also known as vulnerable narcissism, is characterized by a fragile self-esteem masked by a facade of humility and self-deprecation. But there’s another, more insidious form of narcissism that flies under the radar. When we think of narcissism, we often picture the loud, boastful type who demands attention and praise. This individual might turn to substances or behaviors as a way to cope with their inner turmoil, creating a dangerous cocktail of psychological distress and addictive tendencies.

Why They Should Be Treated Together

A malignant narcissist may lie frequently, exhibit aggressiveness, have psychopathic traits, manipulate people, and even enjoy inflicting pain on others. However, it’s certainly possible for someone to exhibit narcissistic tendencies but not meet the NPD diagnostic criteria, says Sarah Lyter, LCPC, MA, a Charlie Health Clinical Supervisor. Here’s what you need to know about NPD and alcohol use disorder, including how they intersect and how to treat them. When these two disorders co-occur, their effects can amplify each other, leading to more severe emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal challenges. NPD is characterized by inflated self-importance and lack of empathy, while alcohol use disorder involves an inability to control alcohol consumption despite negative impacts.

It’s a tightrope walk, balancing the need to build self-esteem while also challenging narcissistic defenses. That’s why comprehensive psychological assessment is crucial in treatment settings. Extreme sensitivity to criticism, even when it’s constructive covert narcissism and alcoholism It can affect anyone, regardless of their background or personality type. It’s not just about the physical dependence; addiction rewires our reward systems, hijacks our decision-making processes, and wreaks havoc on our emotional regulation.