Narcissism and Alcoholism: Similarities, Differences, Diagnosis

They use guilt, gaslighting, and emotional withdrawal to control people. They might suddenly go cold if you upset them, leaving you scrambling to make things right—even when you didn’t do anything wrong. This emotional manipulation often becomes emotional abuse. Rather than direct confrontation, they express their resentment through sarcasm, backhanded compliments, or the silent treatment. You might hear them say, “Oh, must be nice to have so much free time,” when you mention a vacation, subtly making you feel guilty.

Grandiose narcissism/overt narcissism

After all, in the grand theater of life, we’re all just trying to play our parts the best we can – some of us just need a little more help learning our lines and staying on stage without stumbling. So, what’s really going on in the minds of these individuals? Imagine narcissists as fragile eggs, their hard shells of grandiosity protecting a vulnerable interior. Alcohol becomes the bubble wrap, providing temporary relief from feelings of inadequacy or criticism.

In many other cases, an alcoholic doesn’t start with NPD. But their alcoholic personality leads them to act in ways that are similar to a narcissist. Whatever the case may be, people need effective alcoholism treatment.

As Someone Living With NPD and AUD

This highlights the urgent need for awareness, intervention, and support for those affected by this complex and harmful dual diagnosis. To mitigate the impacts, it’s imperative to reduce alcohol consumption and seek the right support. Establishing clear boundaries is essential in safeguarding one’s well-being and fostering healthier relationships. Recognizing the link between narcissism, mental, and physical health is crucial in addressing the root causes of the behavior. If you’re ready to break free from toxic patterns and reclaim your peace, reach out today for guidance and support.

Introduction to narcissism and alcoholism

It’s like using a Band-Aid to fix a broken bone – it might provide momentary comfort, but it’s not addressing the underlying issue. Several factors contribute to the development of both conditions. Childhood trauma, genetic predisposition, and environmental influences all play a role. It’s like a perfect storm of nature and nurture, creating the ideal conditions for both alcoholism and narcissism to take root and flourish.

As a result of covert narcissist alcoholic self-centeredness and denial, alcoholics can behave in manipulative ways. Like narcissists, they may threaten harm to themselves or others if they don’t get what they want. They may pretend to be nice for a short while to get other people to leave them alone. Even if their behaviors hurt others, alcoholics do what they feel they need to continue drinking. The path forward involves fully understanding the risk factors, underlying issues, and side effects of co-occurring NPD and AUD.

• He says, wow, alcohol not only makes me a different person, it also heals and cures me of everything that had troubled me before, everything that pulled me down, everything that kept me hidden.
• We want constant admiration and validation to boost our fragile self-esteem.
• When you reach a certain level, a certain concentration of alcohol in your blood, your long-term memory shuts off.
• Ultimately, alcohol not only offers a temporary escape from their insecurities but also creates a structured environment that gives their chaotic lives a semblance of meaning and direction.

Alcoholism Treatment – Pathways Recovery Center in Azusa, CA

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. Risk factors for NPD include having difficult relationships with parents or caregivers during a person’s developmental years that may include excessive praise or criticism. So, the next time you encounter someone who seems to have an ego bigger than their alcohol tolerance, pause before you judge. Remember the intricate dance between narcissism and alcoholism, and consider that what you’re seeing might be the tip of a very complex iceberg.

Ways Narcissists and Alcoholics are Similar

They all appear to be fully present, fully cognizant throughout the incident, and they are. The more behaviors they pathologize, the more behaviors they medicalize, the more they claim to find new diseases and new disorders, the more money there is from insurance companies. But substance abusers can decide to stop the consumption of alcohol or drugs. The dependence of some narcissists on substances becomes a way of life. For example, busy corporate executives, race car drivers, professional gamblers, they all, many of them, consume substances. He is out of choices, out of options, out of alternatives.

On the flip side, grandiose and vulnerable NPD were both independent factors for alcohol misuse, concluded a 2019 study in the Journal of American College Health. One startling statistic reveals that 70% of individuals with narcissistic personality disorder also struggle with substance abuse. When facing such a situation, it’s crucial to acknowledge the signs and take proactive steps towards finding support and assistance.

They avoid reflecting on their insecurities and lack of self-esteem by drinking. Another study from 2019 found a link between drinking and the narcissistic traits of devaluing and entitlement-rage. Threatened egotism was listed as a factor that motivated increased alcohol use.

All personality and substance use disorders are diagnosed based on a strict set of criteria described in the DSM-5. While there is room for interpretation, a person with NPD and/or AUD must meet a minimum standard before a diagnosis can be delivered with confidence. Exhibiting narcissistic behaviors when drunk, for example, doesn’t inherently mean that a person has NPD.

A 2018 study examined the link between narcissism and alcohol use based on a survey of 345 college students. It found that narcissism was a predictor of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems. If you think that you or a loved one has NPD or AUD, knowing the symptoms can help you better understand both conditions. For information about the terms governing the use of our website and how we handle data, please refer to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Dr. Jenni Jacobsen, PhD is a medical reviewer, licensed social worker, and behavioral health consultant, holding a PhD in clinical psychology. You, nor your loved one, are under any obligation to commit to a Treatment X treatment program when calling the helpline.

Both grandiose and vulnerable narcissism were predictors of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems. When a covert narcissist experiences upset, it often stems from threats to their fragile ego. Criticism, feelings of inferiority, or challenges to their sense of superiority can trigger defensive or withdrawn reactions.

Support groups play a large part in recovery, Lyter says. One of the most common examples is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), but Lyter says you can choose something other than a 12-step program if it’s a better fit for you. She notes Refuge Recovery as a Buddhist-based group, Celebrate Recovery for a Christian approach, or Smart Recovery as a more secular, CBT-based group. Lyter says Individuals with both disorders may lack accountability for wrongdoings. Narcissists often blame others and refuse to take ownership. “Narcissists can often have a lot of feelings of envy, inadequacy, and pressure, so they’re more likely to cope using substances,” Lyter says.