They may also struggle with feelings of entitlement and have difficulty taking responsibility for their actions. Alcohol addiction affects behavior and the way other people are treated. This is why it’s hard for narcissists and alcoholics to maintain relationships. In addition, vulnerable narcissism is also a risk factor for alcohol-related problems in the future.
However, there are distinctions between the two that are crucial to recognize. Often described as a manic-depressive illness, this condition involves erratic mood swings that go from extreme highs to severe lows. Narcissists view others in terms of what they can do for the narcissist.
Why Narcissists Are at Risk of Alcohol Addiction
On the other hand, the term “alcoholic” describes someone who has an alcohol use disorder (AUD), which is the clinical term for an alcohol addiction. An individual may be an alcoholic narcissist, someone who has NPD and then develops alcohol https://ecosoberhouse.com/ addiction and dependence. But their alcoholic personality leads them to act in ways that are similar to a narcissist. The researchers found that grandiose narcissism, i.e., overt narcissism, was a positive predictor of alcohol consumption.
A strength of our design was the inclusion of both a clinical control group and a normative control group and the type of personality was considered with two specific assessment tools (MCMI-II and IPDE). All interviews (both Years 11 and 16) were cross-edited by a second interviewer and an interview supervisor. This might include joining Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step programs that offer nonjudgmental peer support to others living with AUD. You can also join a local support group offered by the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI), which addresses substance abuse when NPD and other mental health disorders. Both narcissistic personality disorder and alcoholism are treatable conditions, but getting an alcoholic narcissist to accept help is notoriously difficult.
Chapters Recovery Center
In fact, empathy and support are actually not helpful in dealing with a narcissist. “Individuals high in narcissism might be more prone to develop these behavioral addictions, which would further lead to increased stress levels,” researchers added. They also discovered narcissists’ desire and the need to feel important through admiration from others, which can easily be fulfilled via likes and comments derived from social media engagement.
Patience and support are therefore needed to ensure the best possible outcomes. Without treatment, people with NPD have trouble maintaining positive relationships and are vulnerable to abusing drugs and alcohol to cope with difficult emotions. Again, if care is not coordinated by a qualified mental health https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alcohol-abuse-and-narcissism-how-are-they-linked/ professional, the overlapping treatments can lead to drug interactions, unintended side effects, and the possible abandonment of treatment. They are also places where people share tips on how to deal with both conditions. Drinking alcohol numbs emotions, making it easier to avoid these negative feelings.