10 Ways Narcissists and Alcoholics Are Similar

You, nor your loved one, are under any obligation to commit to a Treatment X treatment program when calling the helpline. The helpline at AddictionResource.net is available 24/7 to discuss the treatment needs of yourself or a loved one. This helpline is answered by Treatment X LLC, an addiction treatment provider with treatment facilities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and California. It was estimated as recently as 2017, that approximately one in every eight adults in the United States meets the criteria for an alcohol use disorder. Individuals with a NPD feel they can only be understood by special people. They take advantage of others, especially to accomplish their own goals.

What to know about narcissism and alcoholism

• Grandiose alcoholic narcissists will deny that they have a drinking problem.
• For instance, NPD and AUD both involve psychotherapy, but the formats for each can vary.
• In either case, alcohol use can exaggerate a narcissist’s already fragile sense of self-importance, leading to grandiosity and arrogance.
• In many cases, the journey to recovery involves understanding the emotional component of addiction.
• When AUD and NPD occur together, it can increase a person’s hostility and aggression.
• Before you start beating yourself up like you’re some monster on a hill, psychologist Susan Albers, PsyD, explains how to cope with covert narcissism and how it’s different from the typical narcissism we’ve come to expect.

But more specifically, covert narcissists tend to rely on self-deprecation and negative self-talk as a means of getting sympathy and attention from others. If you say out loud, “Wow, I look horrible today,” others may come rushing in with positive compliments about how you don’t look that bad. If you tend to say things like, “I’m such a loser,” or “I’m such an idiot,” others will quickly step in to oppose those negative comments and come to your rescue.

• If you see many or most of these attitudes and behaviors in a person you know, you’re probably dealing with someone who suffers—and makes others suffer—with covert narcissism.
• Treatment programs for vulnerable narcissists might focus on negative expectations while grandiose narcissists might need to focus more on recognition of problems.
• Although everybody may show narcissistic behavior occasionally, true narcissists often disregard other people and their feelings.
• “Instead of coming from a genuine place of wanting to help, they may be doing these things to seek attention and gratitude and appear as a really great person,” says Dr. Albers.
• According to a 2019 study in Behavioral Medicine, 40.6% of NPD have substance use problems.
• Substance use disorders like AUD are characterized by mental and physical addiction.

Dual diagnosis

People with AUD may have self-awareness of their condition and a desire to change. However, some with NPD may not be aware of how their behavior affects others. This was measured by the Readiness to Change Ruler for Decreased Drinking.37 Participants rated their level on the ruler ranging from 0 (Never think about my drinking) to 10 (My drinking has changed. I now drink less than before). The results speak to the effects that different types of narcissism have on alcohol use, alcohol problems and attitudes towards alcohol problems among young adults.

Alcoholic Narcissist Alcohol And Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Alcohol use disorder is a type of substance use disorder where a person cannot control or stop their alcohol use. Narcissists are full of entitlement and lack empathy for others, so they may do whatever they want to others with no regard to their feelings. Alcoholics do the same when they put their drinking first without concern for how it affects others. When dealing with manipulative behavior, express your feelings, thoughts, and needs clearly and confidently. “If you are concerned that you may be causing a problem in these scenarios, a therapist can help you feel more at home with yourself and figure out why you rely on certain negative behaviors,” says Dr. Albers.

Coping with covert narcissism

Remember, you deserve to feel safe and respected in your relationships, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Stay strong and prioritize your emotional health as you navigate this challenging situation. This duality of addiction and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) not covert narcissist alcoholic only affects the individuals but also interferes with their loved ones, causing anxiety and strain in their relationships. The similarities and differences between alcoholism and narcissism combined lead to a severe and challenging mental health disorder that requires special attention. Alcoholic narcissism is a term used to describe individuals who exhibit both narcissistic traits and struggle with alcohol addiction. When seeking treatment for alcoholic narcissism, it’s essential to address both the addiction and the underlying personality disorder.

Limit Emotional Engagement

Overall, the results of this study demonstrate the difference between the two types of narcissism and how they relate to alcohol outcomes in a college sample. Grandiose narcissism is a personality factor contributing to the likelihood of alcohol consumption and a good evaluation of alcohol problems. Vulnerable narcissism, on the other hand, emerged as a risk factor for alcohol-related problems. Vulnerable narcissism also contributes to people’s expectation and recognition of alcohol problems. This study highlights the importance of individual differences in alcohol-related outcomes in a high risk population of college students.

Diagnosing Alcoholism and Narcissism

PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that affects people who have witnessed or experienced traumatic events. Healthcare professionals and psychologists may use a set of criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to diagnose narcissism or AUD. Preliminary analyses were conducted to determine the ranges and distributions of variables. Two participants were considered multivariate outliers and excluded from the analysis due to unreliable response style.