Narcissism and devaluing others: An exploration of impaired control over drinking as a mediating mechanism of alcohol-related problems

As an example, AUD can make people be defensive of their addiction. This is also a trait of narcissistic personality disorder. This makes it hard to tell if the root problem is narcissism or alcoholism. This also makes it difficult to recommend the correct treatment.

Everyone has a reason for the way they act, and an alcoholic narcissist might tell you a perfectly good reason for why they should drink, whether or not those reasons are justifiable. They might view their problem as a personal shortcoming or a failure that https://ecosoberhouse.com/ they are embarrassed to open up about. If the person does not want to enter treatment or change, there may not be hope for healing. The best thing to do at that point is to seek out individual therapy for yourself and work on setting firmer boundaries.

Treatment for Alcoholism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder

It may be a good idea to slow down and, keeping in mind no one is perfect, really listen to what your spouse is saying and how your healthcare provider responds. 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, narcissism and alcoholism it’s recommended that both conditions are treated at the same time to 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.

Learning healthy coping strategies can help them remain sober when they face triggers. Both conditions may influence the other, and some symptoms or behaviors of each condition can overlap. Alcoholics often deny that they have a drinking problem. Narcissists will also deny that there is anything wrong with them.

Alternative ways of assessing model fit

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. 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. Gently encourage them to seek help in the form of therapy, support groups, or rehabilitation. Helping them identify a therapist or rehab can be a great first start.

When people have a mental health condition that co-occurs with a substance misuse disorder, such as AUD, doctors may refer to this as dual diagnosis. 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. 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.

What Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

About 50% of people with one disorder will develop at least one more co-occurring mental health problem in their lifetime. Alcoholics are not always narcissists, but it does happen. Narcissistic personality disorder is just one of several personality disordersthat can be dually diagnosed with alcoholism.

Individuals with both of these disorders, especially when operating together, oftentimes negatively impact the ones around them due to their manipulative, arrogant, and unempathetic behavior. 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. Grandiose narcissism is a personality factor contributing to the likelihood of alcohol consumption and a good evaluation of alcohol problems. Vulnerable narcissism, on the other hand, emerged as a risk factor for alcohol-related problems. Vulnerable narcissism also contributes to people’s expectation and recognition of alcohol problems.

Getting Treatment for Alcohol Abuse and Narcissism

Remind yourself not to take your spouse’s behavior personally, and set clear boundaries around what behavior you will and will not tolerate. Your spouse may try to manipulate you into giving them things they want, and they will likely not see how their drinking affects you. However, your spouse’s behavior is unlikely to change without professional treatment. When two disorders are occurring, it is always vital to obtaintreatment for both disorders at the same time. Treating onlyalcohol use disorderand not narcissistic personality disorder — or vice versa — will increase the chances of future substance abuse and the need for more professional treatment. There is evidence of a link between narcissism and addiction, but not all narcissists are addicts.

• What may be surprising to learn though is that hyper-inflated egos and excessive drinking are twin sons of a very disordered mother.
• Treating alcohol use disorder without addressing the narcissism or other mental health issues that underlie substance abuse will increase the chances of relapse and the need for more professional treatment.
• Very little research has been conducted specifically on narcissism’s effect on problem recognition or a person’s readiness to change.