Narcissism and Alcoholism: Similarities, Differences, Diagnosis

Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental health condition in which people have an unreasonably high sense of their own importance. They need and seek too much attention and want people to admire them. People with this disorder may lack the ability to understand or care about the feelings of others.

Signs Of Alcoholism

• A key characteristic of narcissism is difficulty taking responsibility for any negative actions or harmful behavior.
• A diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) doesn’t automatically translate to abusive behavior, and many people who engage in abuse don’t have NPD.
• Connecting with people who share similar challenges can lessen feelings of isolation and facilitate progress in overcoming addiction.

The current study contributed to the literature in the following ways. Third, this study differentially evaluated the relationship between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism and alcohol outcomes. The findings of this study have potential implications for future treatment and research. For example, different prevention and treatment methods can be developed for individuals high in either grandiose or vulnerable narcissism. Treatment programs for vulnerable narcissists might focus on negative expectations while grandiose narcissists might need to focus more on recognition of problems.

Others doubt the abuse took place

You can connect with a mental health professional using the Healthline FindCare tool. There’s little data on whether people with both NPD and AUD have a different outlook than people who have only one of the conditions. However, it’s recommended that both conditions are treated at the same time to narcissism and alcoholism improve your likelihood of recovery. You might also engage in lifestyle changes and self-care strategies in order to make progress. One such change might be to avoid substances like alcohol if they tend to trigger harmful behavior. Alcohol use disorder is characterized by periods of sobriety and relapse.

Mental Health

Not every person suffering from this mental health disorder will display all of these traits. Narcissistic personality disorder can present itself differently from person to person. These behaviors are also seen in people with alcoholism (also known as a severe alcohol use disorder) and drug use or substance use disorders. Alcohol addiction affects behavior and the way other people are treated. This is why it’s hard for narcissists and alcoholics to maintain relationships. It should be noted that narcissism is a trait, but can also be part of a personality disorder.

For instance, an alcoholic narcissist might use their charm and charisma to obtain alcohol or manipulate others, making it difficult for their loved ones to spot the addiction. Not all narcissists are alcoholics, nor are all alcoholics narcissists, although alcoholism often causes people to develop narcissistic traits, such as arrogance, self-absorption, and a lack of empathy. Not all narcissists have problems with alcohol, but it isn’t uncommon for people with personality disorders to develop alcohol-related problems.