Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissism: Associations with Alcohol Use, Alcohol Problems and Problem Recognition PMC

If you’re dealing with a narcissist who is also an addict, you’re likely under more pressure than most people – and there are plenty of good reasons for it. I’m going to give you a quick overview of what you can do to deal with a narcissist addict. Alcohol use disorder can encourage someone to drink at every opportunity, like parties. Narcissism can prompt someone to seek fame, even through dangerous or unlawful acts.

• Alcoholics believe that drinking comes first, even at the expense of the needs of their loved ones.
• About 50% of people with one disorder will develop at least one more co-occurring mental health problem in their lifetime.
• Even when important parts of their life are suffering due to their decisions, in the co-occurrence of alcoholism and narcissistic personality disorder, the individual believes that everyone else is wrong.
• While alcoholism is an addiction and narcissism is a personality disorder, the two share many characteristics that may cause trouble in their personal, social, and work lives.

Understandably, this can make it difficult to seek support from them or to convince them of a need for intervention. Your partner may also have surrounded themselves with people who feed their narcissism with praise, admiration, and constant validation . To get the support you deserve, you’re going to need to seek professional help. Finding the appropriate mental health and addiction professionals is the next hurdle. A 2019 study of 345 college students (28% male, 72% female) found both grandiose and vulnerable forms of narcissism to be good predictors of alcohol use and alcohol-related problems.

Ways Narcissists and Alcoholics Are Similar

A successful treatment program often starts with inpatient treatment. Living onsite while receiving therapy and other treatment means that 24/7 care and support are provided. NPD is narcissism and alcoholism sometimes talked about in terms usually used to describe substance abuse, involving cravings and being constantly on the lookout for attention and praise instead of substances.

Another alcoholic personality revolves around the inability to control drinking. The individual would show physical and psychological urges or cravings to drink. An example of this would be if the individual went to a party and stated they were only having a couple of drinks but late drinks more than intended. Individuals who have an alcoholic personality tend to brush things off. Some individuals might state that doing things with friends like watching a football game or just hanging out, is not as fun without an alcoholic beverage. Doing activities with friends or families are not as fun if it does not involve a bit of drinking and so the individual would brush off the event.

Alcohol & Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Is There a Connection?

For these reasons, alcoholic narcissists need dual diagnosis care. There are many different types of mental health disorders and traits that affect people with alcohol use disorder. Narcissism, which comes in many forms, is not a mental health disorder in and of itself. Being a narcissist is not the same thing as having a narcissistic personality disorder , but it can impact a person’s behavior and how they experience alcohol addiction.

Therapy, a strong support system, and self-care strategies can help you make a full recovery. You experienced withdrawal symptoms when alcohol wore off, such as insomnia, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, a racing heart, or a seizure. Both AUD and NPD should be diagnosed by a healthcare professional. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ In the United States, the DSM-5-TR is used to diagnose both conditions. These overlapping traits can make it hard to distinguish alcohol misuse from narcissism. 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.