Narcissistic personality disorder and alcoholism are co-occurring disorders. Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) have profound impacts on relationships, behaviors, and overall well-being. It’s a shorthand people use to describe someone who shows narcissistic traits alongside heavy drinking or alcohol use disorder (AUD). While narcissism is a personality disorder and alcoholism is an addiction, narcissists and alcoholics share several characteristics.
What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
When dealing with a narcissist and alcohol addiction, establish clear boundaries and communicate them assertively. Alcohol can amplify these feelings, as it causes a sense of invincibility and entitlement to engage in excessive drinking or demanding behavior. The combination can severely affect the individual’s health, social, and professional life. Alcoholism can result in physical, mental, and social problems, including liver damage, impaired judgment, relationship difficulties, and financial issues. It is a form of addiction that affects the brain, leading to a loss of control over alcohol consumption and an increased tolerance for its effects. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Intersecting Issues
Substance use disorders like AUD are characterized by mental and physical addiction. Personality disorders like NPD are those in which a person has a rigid and unhealthy pattern of thinking, functioning, and behaving. Narcissistic personality disorder is a personality disorder characterized by patterns of behavior, including feelings of entitlement, a need for admiration, and high sensitivity. Treatment prepares clients for long-term sobriety by ensuring they have the skills and tools to establish and maintain healthy relationships. Individuals and families affected by NPD and AUD benefit from attending family therapy and support groups. Comprehensive admissions assessments and testing, including a biopsychosocial assessment, ensure clients receive the best treatments and have the information they need to make informed decisions about their health.
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 22.6% of people with any personality disorder also have a substance use disorder. Learning about the symptoms of each mental health disorder is important to understand how NPD and AUD intersect. We treat personality disorders and substance use disorders
High Functioning Anxiety
Individuals can work towards recovery, personal growth, and healthier relationships by integrating various therapeutic modalities and providing support. Treating alcoholism and narcissism at a rehab requires a customized and holistic approach that addresses the complexities of both conditions. Treating individuals with co-occurring alcoholism and narcissism requires a comprehensive and integrated approach. If you struggle with alcoholism and narcissism, seeking help before both conditions worsen is better. Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are often excessively preoccupied with their achievements, beauty, or intelligence.
- Lyter says Individuals with both disorders may lack accountability for wrongdoings.
- These approaches focus on self-care, boundary-setting, and building a strong support network.
- The combination of limited empathy and heightened anger creates a volatile environment for relationships.
- Alcohol use disorder is characterized by periods of sobriety and relapse.
- Recovery from the intertwined challenges of narcissism and alcoholism is possible but requires a multifaceted approach.
Community and Family Support
Ultimately, their recovery and personal growth depend what to do if you relapse on their willingness to address their issues. Engaging in self-care helps you build resilience and maintain your emotional health. Engage in activities that bring you joy, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and take time for yourself. However, remember that treatment can only be effective if they are willing to acknowledge their issues and actively engage in the therapeutic process. After you have set boundaries, inform your support network of trusted friends, family, or support groups who can provide empathy, guidance, and understanding. Make it known what behaviors are unacceptable and enforce consequences if those boundaries are crossed.
Medical Disclaimer
Alcoholics crave alcohol, while narcissists crave attention and the feeling of superiority. Both alcoholics and narcissists suffer from severe cravings. People with NPD may use drinking as a coping mechanism to hide underlying shame.2, 4 When some people drink, they become arrogant, self-centered, and self-righteous. Alcoholics are not always narcissists, and narcissists aren’t always alcoholics.
What people mean by “alcoholic narcissist”
People with NPD may use alcohol as a coping mechanism to numb their underlying insecurities or boost their sense of grandiosity. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, Nova Recovery Center provides compassionate care and lasting support every step of the way. With a focus on long-term recovery, our evidence-based services include medical detox, inpatient rehab, outpatient programs, and sober living. Prescription medications, including antidepressants, should only be taken under the guidance of a licensed healthcare provider. The information on this page is provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Both are mental health conditions that can damage relationships, cause personal distress, and undermine a person’s quality of life and sense of well-being. During early recovery, individuals with NPR and AUD often have difficulty maintaining healthy social relationships. Relapse prevention education and developing essential coping skills during treatment provide clients with healthy ways to manage their disorders long-term. Alcohol misuse is often a form of self-medication for individuals with co-occurring mental health issues. Dual-diagnosis treatment focuses on providing clients with emotional stabilization and ensures they receive support for any underlying issues affecting their mental or physical health. Early intervention and treatment are the best ways to ensure a person avoids the severe side effects of narcissism and alcoholism.
Personality disorders are grouped into clusters based on similar traits. Charlie Health’s virtual eating disorder treatment program for individuals with a primary eating disorder diagnosis is only available in select states Charlie Health’s virtual substance use disorder treatment program for individuals with a primary substance use disorder diagnosis is only available in select states.
Defining Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
The connection between narcissism and alcoholism is not always obvious. While some alcoholics may exhibit narcissistic traits, many others do not. Both alcoholism and narcissism can stem from underlying emotional vulnerabilities, such as low self-esteem, trauma, or unresolved issues from the past. Under the influence of alcohol, individuals with narcissistic tendencies may become more self-centered, arrogant, and impulsive.
Need additional mental health or substance use support? Get the mental health treatment you deserve Personality disorders like NPD are lifelong, but you can learn ways to cope with them, build self-awareness, manage symptoms, and have healthier relationships. Narcissism and alcohol abuse both have great impacts on mental health.
- Although every individual is unique, those with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) present with generalized signs and symptoms typical of the disorder.
- These behaviors can leave partners feeling confused and doubting their own perceptions.
- The presence of both disorders can make diagnosis and treatment more challenging.
- According to Depression and Anxiety, “The comorbidity of mood and anxiety disorders (MD and AD) with substance use disorders (SUD) is common.
- The co-occurrence of narcissism and alcoholism can exacerbate the negative effects of each condition.
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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. If you or a loved one struggles with narcissism and alcoholism, Charlie Health can help. Additionally, if your mental health care team thinks it’s the right fit for you, psychiatric medication may be prescribed. Additionally, Lyter says there’s an increased risk of domestic violence in people with alcohol use disorder.
These behaviors can leave partners feeling confused and doubting their own perceptions. The combination of limited empathy and heightened anger creates a volatile environment for relationships. Narcissistic individuals typically struggle with empathy, making it difficult for them to understand or relate to others’ feelings. Alcohol abuse exacerbates these traits, causing mood swings and unpredictable behavior. Their inflated sense of self-importance may lead them to expect constant admiration and special treatment. Narcissistic alcoholics frequently prioritize their own needs and desires above others.
While these meds won’t directly treat NPD symptoms, they can improve overall mental well-being. 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. Not all narcissists are abusers, but some may engage in narcissistic abuse, which is typically emotional abuse. There may be lots of arguments and disagreements without healthy conflict-resolution skills. Research shows narcissists are less likely to believe they would have a problem with substance abuse in the first place and less likely to admit they have a problem –– leading to treatment delays.