Author: Gary Jackson

Narcissism and Alcoholism

The researchers found that grandiose narcissism, i.e., overt narcissism, was a positive predictor of alcohol consumption. People in this group were also less likely to see their alcohol use as a problem. While narcissism and alcoholism don’t always occur together, there are some reasons why narcissists might be more prone to developing an alcohol use disorder than the average person. Talk therapy can be an effective treatment for people with narcissistic personality disorder. It can help them learn ways to develop empathy for others, assess their capabilities realistically, and improve their ability to regulate their emotions. People with narcissistic personality disorders may wish to control their sexual partner’s behavior for their own satisfaction, and they may have an inflated sense of sexual entitlement.

By building support from family and friends, you are more likely to stay on course with your dual treatment plan and avoid the stress that can make AUD and NPD worse. If you live in a remote region, you can also find online support through Facebook Groups or by joining “closed” support groups like I am Sober, Sober Tool, and Sober Grid. You can also access educational and self-help material from organizations like the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder (NEABPD). Similarly, using alcohol doesn’t mean a person with NPD has AUD, even if there have been incidents of extreme intoxication. Both AUD and NPD have distinctive symptoms and features that occur independently of each other. 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.

What are the symptoms of each condition?

Sian Ferguson is a freelance health and cannabis writer based in Cape Town, South Africa. She’s passionate about empowering readers to take care of their mental and physical health through science-based, empathetically delivered information. Each person needs a different treatment method depending on their unique situation, and as such, not everyone will have the same treatment program. The main treatment for NPD is talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy. People with NPD tend to have difficulty receiving criticism from others, and as such, they might find it difficult to commit to psychotherapy and lifestyle changes. Genetics also seem to play a role in the development of both conditions.

Treatment centers can also ensure that you can access the right support systems at the right time in your treatment. Again, if care is not coordinated by a qualified mental health professional, the overlapping treatments can lead to drug interactions, unintended side effects, and the possible abandonment of treatment. Making a dual diagnosis of NPD and AUD can be challenging and something that only a qualified mental health professional can make. Our core values center around treating others with the same kindness and respect that we value for ourselves.

Overlapping treatment options

People with NPD may be more likely to misuse alcohol and develop AUD. Also, people with AUD might seem to behave similarly to people with narcissistic traits. In order to receive a diagnosis of NPD, someone needs to display the above symptoms over several years.

One limitation of this study is the lack of diversity in the sample’s age (18–25) and race (88% Caucasian). Some research has found racial differences in regards to college drinking. Narcissism is a personality disorder that may cause individuals to display grandiose and self-involved behaviors. Alcoholism is an addiction where people cannot control their alcohol use.

Narcissism vs. narcissistic personality disorder

Once they receive this affirmation, they experience grandiosity and may behave in an arrogant and entitled way. However, without affirmation, the same individual may feel depressed and ashamed. Therefore, the presence or absence of external validations of their value determines whether a person may have the traits of grandiose narcissism or vulnerable narcissism. People with vulnerable narcissism tend to show avoidant, defensive, or hypersensitive behaviors, and they often experience feelings of rage at a perceived lack of esteem or respect. People with grandiose narcissism tend to have very high self-esteem, behave in a dominant way, and overestimate their own capabilities.