Narcissistic personality disorder is just one of several personality disorders that can be dually diagnosed with alcoholism. However, there is some evidence that having narcissistic personality disorder can make you more vulnerable to alcohol abuse. If you recognize aspects of your personality that are common to narcissistic personality disorder or you’re feeling overwhelmed by sadness, consider reaching out to a trusted health care provider or mental health provider. Getting the right treatment can help make your life more rewarding and enjoyable. Some individuals have both narcissistic personality disorder and an active addiction.

Alcoholics can undergo similar shifts when under the influence and can seem like a different person in a matter of a few drinks. If you think you have NPD, try to make an appointment with a mental health professional. 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.

Is Someone With Narcissistic Personality Disorder More Likely to Relapse?

However, treatments like psychotherapy, group support, and self-care strategies can help people with either condition feel much better. In fact, some research suggests that alcohol misuse might be more common among people who have narcissistic tendencies. When other people point out their drinking problem, alcoholics react defensively.

• People with a pattern of narcissism often turn to alcohol to reinforce a false sense of grandiosity.
• Overall, the results of this study demonstrate the difference between the two types of narcissism and how they relate to alcohol outcomes in a college sample.
• This is true with alcoholism and narcissistic personality disorder, which have overlapping symptoms.
• However, those with Narcissistic Personality Disorder experience a much more complex array of thoughts and feelings.

These patients are often described as “difficult and demanding,” and importantly, their medical needs remain untreated. Often mental health professionals may be consulted for a mood disorder on the inpatient floor for a patient with underlying NPD and have to liaison with the primary medical team in charge of the patient. Other medical professionals must be educated about personality covert narcissism and alcoholism disorder and their countertransference towards the patient so that it does not impact clinical care. Mental health professionals in the consult-liaison service may provide support and education to the first medical teams as well. While alcoholism is an addiction and extreme narcissism is a personality disorder, narcissists and alcoholics tend to share 11 similarities.

Narcissism and alcohol use disorder

Narcissism is partially a self learned-behavior and can also partially be a genetic trait. The good news is that Narcissistic Personality Disorder and alcoholism can be treated. However, there are essential things that you need to know before getting help from a treatment center for your loved one. Many Narcissists do not want or refuse help because they are entirely convinced that they are in the right. In order to fully help your loved one, it may take an interventionist to convince them to go to treatment.

• There are two types of narcissism, both of which may lead to tendencies in people that can, in turn, encourage addictive behaviors.
• While it is a mental disorder that needs to be properly diagnoses by a professional, the following can be an indication that you might have NPD.
• They might infrequently have bouts of excessive drinking, for example, but find that it doesn’t affect their life and that it’s easy to cut back on alcohol (or to stop drinking entirely).
• NPD may significantly reduce emergency department visits and lower the incidence of self-harm.

An all-encompassing sense of victimization, common in the more covert type of narcissist, becomes the organizing principle of the self. The diagnosis of NPD as other personality disorders requires evaluation of long-term patterns of functioning. One needs to be cautious not to jump to hasty conclusions because NPD can trigger countertransference. A careful evaluation of the different aspects of a person’s life and an understanding of the person’s childhood development can assist in the evaluation and diagnosis of NPD. When alcoholism and narcissistic personality disorder occur simultaneously, the effects on a person’s life can be devastating. Talk therapy can be an effective treatment for people with narcissistic personality disorder.

Narcissists May Be More Likely to Struggle with Alcohol Use Problems

However, it’s recommended that both conditions are treated at the same time to improve your likelihood of recovery. Relapse is a common experience among people who are recovering from AUD. You can take steps to prevent relapse, such as recognizing your triggers and joining a support group. If you do relapse, try to seek help again — it’s still possible to make a full recovery. You might also engage in lifestyle changes and self-care strategies in order to make progress.

• While alcoholism is an addiction and extreme narcissism is a personality disorder, narcissists and alcoholics tend to share 11 similarities.
• These are then practised and discussed, equipping them for a healthy future once treatment has ended.
• Compared to grandiose narcissists, people in this group were more likely to acknowledge that they had a problem.

If you know someone who displays symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder and they have started drinking, the best thing you can do is talk to them. Of course, the nature of their condition means they will be less likely to hear your concerns, but you have options. Because the condition comprises of unhealthy thoughts and perceptions, treatment of narcissism does not require any form of physical intervention or medication prescription.