Medications for AUD can help to reduce cravings and withdrawal side effects, whereas therapy can be beneficial for reducing distorted thinking about alcohol and developing stronger coping skills. Therapy can also help people with NPD to process unresolved childhood trauma and develop skills for managing their symptoms 1. Just as narcissism doesn’t necessarily cause alcohol use disorder, alcoholism doesn’t necessarily cause NPD. The two conditions may co-occur, but it is often difficult to determine which disorder occurred first. Very little research has been conducted specifically on narcissism’s effect on problem recognition or a person’s readiness to change. Grandiose narcissism was a positive predictor of alcohol consumption and a positive (i.e., good) evaluation of alcohol-related problems.
Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissism: Associations with Alcohol Use, Alcohol Problems and Problem Recognition
Both AUD and NPD have distinctive symptoms and features that occur independently of each other.
People may be unable to prevent certain factors, such as genetic reasons, that increase the risk of AUD and NPD. However, there are steps they can take to reduce risks within their control. The outlook of co-occurring NPD and AUD may depend on the severity of each condition and how each individual is functioning. People with AUD may have self-awareness of their condition and a desire to change. However, some with NPD may not be aware of how their behavior affects others.
Family and friends of individuals with co-occurring AUD alcohol and violence statistics and NPD may feel overwhelmed or unable to help. Narcissists manipulate others to achieve their own interests, and any attempt at an intervention may cause them to strike out physically or emotionally. Many individuals with NPD end up divorced or separated from their partner.
What Makes Narcissism and Alcoholism Different?
Remember that a person with both alcoholic and narcissistic traits may need to get professional help before they can have a healthy relationship with you again. For a person to recover fully, they’ll generally need treatment that addresses both disorders. Little is known about narcissism and drinking in college students, a population that is at high risk for alcohol-related problems.
You can also visit Psych Central’s mental health resource hub, which has information about how to find mental health support. Aggressive behavior and pathological narcissism were linked to alcohol overuse in a 2017 study of Canadian men. The association remained intact even when researchers accounted for general psychological distress as a trigger for coping responses like alcohol use. Following alcohol guidelines can help people stay within moderate levels of alcohol consumption. For females, it is not advisable to consume more than one unit of alcohol per day.
Engaging in arguments with an alcoholic narcissist can be futile and emotionally draining. Alcohol tends to bring out the narcissist in everyone, even if they show very few narcissistic traits when sober. Narcissists think they’re better than everyone else and even that they’re unaffected by the effects of alcohol abuse due to their inherent superiority. All these factors increase the likelihood of a narcissist developing a problem with alcohol. Grandiose narcissists have an inflated sense of self, an unshakeable belief in their own superiority, and a lack of empathy for those around them.
Societies that prioritize individualism and materialism may foster a higher prevalence of narcissistic traits. Similarly, cultural norms surrounding alcohol and its consumption can influence an individual’s likelihood of developing alcoholism. Early intervention and treatment are the best ways to ensure a person avoids the severe side effects of narcissism and alcoholism. Dual-diagnosis treatment focuses on providing clients with emotional stabilization and ensures they receive support for any underlying issues affecting their mental or physical health.
- These individuals might also engage in gaslighting, a form of psychological manipulation where they make others question their own perceptions and memories.
- Therapy can also help people with NPD to process unresolved childhood trauma and develop skills for managing their symptoms 1.
- Ria Health offers several FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder.
- Thus, by not learning from negative experiences, they might continue to see alcohol consequences as positive.
Narcissism and alcohol use disorder
Prolonged alcohol abuse can lead to changes in personality and behavior, including heightened aggression, impulsivity, and a disregard for the needs and feelings of others. Research suggests a correlation between alcohol abuse and narcissistic traits. Individuals with narcissistic personality traits may be more vulnerable to developing alcohol use disorders. They may turn to alcohol as a means of escaping feelings of insecurity, low self-esteem, and emotional distress. Certain genetic variations may predispose individuals to develop these conditions.
People in this group were also less likely to see their alcohol use as a problem. Narcissism and alcoholism are two significant issues that can profoundly affect individuals and their relationships. Understanding the intersection of these conditions is crucial for recognizing the challenges faced by those dealing with both. This blog delves into the nature of narcissism and alcoholism, their interconnection, and their impact on individuals and their loved ones.
These include environmental factors, social factors, and emotional factors. A 2019 study involving young adults with vulnerable narcissism found that the disorder can cause overwhelming feelings of shame in the individual. The person then seeks out alcohol or substances to mediate these feelings, leading to more feelings of shame, and so on. In the next section, we will explore treatment approaches and recovery strategies for individuals dealing with both narcissism and alcoholism. Another factor that contributes to the link between narcissism and alcoholism is the tendency of narcissists to use alcohol as a means of escapism.