NMK, GCC | Narcissistic Personality Disorder And Alcoholism

As mentioned, narcissists and alcoholics do not like to be confronted on their behaviors or how they might affect others. When confronted, they will respond with an attack or stonewalling. Stonewalling is when there is a refusal to communicate with someone during a disagreement. The stonewalling shuts down all communication, and the ability to discuss the issue at hand. While attacking and stonewalling are opposite approaches, they have the same intended goal which is to avoid conversation about a topic someone doesn’t want to discuss. Narcissists and alcoholics don’t consider, or care, how their actions affect others. If it is pointed out to them, they refuse to take responsibility.

• While I will use the term alcoholic, this information will apply to any person with a substance abuse problem, including drugs.
• A personality disorder is a mental disorder in which a person maintains an unhealthy way of thinking and behaving.
• They also blame others for making them act as they do, rather than taking responsibility.
• Alcoholics will lie to cover their tracks, and narcissists will lie to avoid criticism.

Non-drinkers were excluded from the alcohol problems model and participants that did not complete the questionnaire for the outcome variable were excluded from the appropriate model causing different degrees of freedom. They may experience arrogance, manipulation, rejection, and a lack of empathy. Destructive behavior makes it hard for narcissists and alcoholics to maintain relationships. Outpatient rehab allows patients to recover from a co-occurring disorder while still attending to daily personal and professional responsibilities at home. An individual in outpatient rehab will learn how to cope with the mental health struggles that arise in daily life and apply what they’ve learned to everyday situations with the continued support of medical professionals. A comprehensive recovery plan is the safest and most effective way to overcome a co-occurring disorder. These plans incorporate various therapies and aftercare programs that address both alcohol abuse and a mental health condition.

Narcissism in a bottle: The self-centeredness of addiction. The Huffington post - The blog

Simons J, Gaher R, Correia C, Hansen C, Christopher M. An affective-motivational model of marijuana and alcohol problems among college students. While there are many options for treating alcoholism, there is no one-size-fits all solution.

In contrast, higher levels of devaluing were indirectly related to more alcohol-related problems through more IC and heavy-episodic-drinking. Our results suggest that targeting thought processes in which people with Alcohol Use Disorders are actively devaluing others may be a good target for therapeutic intervention. If you have a loved one or are personally struggling with Narcissism and alcoholism, contact our team today to speak with one of our kind and experienced intake specialists. Narcissism is a personality trait where people may feel a need for admiration, show a lack of empathy, or be self-involved. It is typical for people to display occasional narcissistic traits, but a pattern of narcissism could be part of narcissistic personality disorder , a mental health condition. An alcoholic narcissist is struggling with two conditions at once. Their alcohol use disorder renders them dependent upon drinking.

Take the First Step Towards a Healthier Life

Someone can be narcissistic or have a formal diagnosis of NPD without ever becoming alcoholic. However, research and clinical observations show that narcissists are susceptible to developing a drinking problem. The narcissist and alcoholic both continue their behaviors through denial. For the narcissist, their feelings of grandiosity and superiority means they can do no wrong. For someone to suggest otherwise will only lead to denial as a way to protect their unstable senses of self. For an alcoholic, denial allows them to continue drinking while turning a blind eye to how their drinking affects others.

Crowne D, Marlowe D. A new scale of social desirability independent of psychopathology. National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. 345 college students (28% male, 72% female) from a Midwestern university were recruited from undergraduate psychology courses from April 2015 to October 2016. You agree to receive email, SMS, and other electronic communications about our services and care. Examples of narcissistic rage range from intense outbursts and sudden fits of anger, to passive-aggressive acts such as simmering resentment, icy silence, deliberate neglect, or cutting sarcasm. However, more often than not, they only pretend to have these qualities.

How to cope with the challenges of relating with narcissists or addicted people

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. The study commented that people who show grandiose traits may have feelings of importance in an environment of drinking where this quality may thrive. Narcissists with low self-esteem may gain acceptance from others or a sense of security through alcohol consumption or use it as a coping mechanism for dealing with distress. It is common for personality disorders to occur alongside AUD. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 22.6% of people with a personality disorder may also have a substance misuse disorder. Alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder , is an addictive disorder where people cannot control or stop their use of alcohol.

Many of the narcissism and alcoholism of drinking every day can be reversed through early intervention. Alcohol detox isn’t easy and not everyone can do it on their own.

Grandiose Narcissism and Alcohol Outcomes

Treating NPD can be challenging and may require long-term therapy, but working alongside healthcare professionals can help people reduce symptoms. With treatment, those with NPD can live healthy lives with positive relationships.