Unveiling the Covert Narcissist Alcoholic: Signs to Watch For

There is much research to suggest a strong link between narcissism and problematic sexual behavior, notably infidelity and sexual assault. The same factors that drive the problematic use of alcohol and drugs can also drive sex addiction. If untreated, drug use can prevent progress from being made innarcissistic personality disorder treatment. Narcissistic personality disorder andsubstance use disordersboth are challenging to treat on their own. Combining narcissistic personality disorder with drug abuse can cause treatment adherence to drop even lower. Treating narcissists with addiction is a bit like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube blindfolded – it’s complex, challenging, and requires a great deal of skill and patience.

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

Alcoholic narcissists may struggle to maintain healthy interactions with others due to their excessive need for admiration and entitlement. Alcohol addiction exacerbates these traits and further impairs their rational thinking and self-awareness, making them prone to aggressive behaviors. Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) share several similarities. Both narcissism and alcoholism conditions can lead to self-absorbed behavior, difficulty maintaining healthy relationships, and a tendency to avoid or mask feelings of shame.

Desire for Control and Power

Personality disorders usually start when someone is a teenager or young adult. Even when an alcoholic doesn’t have a full diagnosis of NPD, they act in ways that are similar to a narcissist. While narcissism is a personality disorder and alcoholism is an addiction, narcissists and alcoholics share several characteristics. Recognizing these commonalities can help you understand and cope with people who have Narcissistic Personality Disorder, untreated alcoholism, or both. Narcissistic personality disorder can be one of the more challenging mental health conditions to treat. For this reason, mental health professionals will routinely screen for substance use when diagnosing a personality disorder or screen for behavioral concerns when a person has a substance use disorder.

Understanding the Narcissist’s Pity Play Tactics

Once they receive this affirmation, they experience grandiosity and may behave in an arrogant and entitled way. However, without affirmation, the same individual may feel depressed and ashamed. Therefore, the presence or absence of external validations of their value determines whether a person may have the traits of grandiose narcissism or vulnerable narcissism. The key to recognizing alcoholic narcissism is to identify when these behaviors and patterns result from the interplay between both narcissism and alcoholism.

• However, it is important to note that medication should be used in conjunction with therapy and under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.
• They will also deny when they had a drink or that their drinking has unhealthy consequences.
• Certain people are at higher risk for a variety of reasons, and knowing these can help protect the vulnerable.

• If someone you know has alcoholic narcissist symptoms, don’t neglect your own needs.
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• You might also engage in lifestyle changes and self-care strategies in order to make progress.
• AUD, on the other hand, is a chronic disorder characterized by the compulsive and harmful consumption of alcohol.

Depression can be treated and managed with medication and counseling, but the individual has to be willing to engage in treatments. Someone with NPD will rarely believe they need help in the first place; if they feel depressed, they may be more likely to blame it on someone or something else, rather than something within themselves. This distinction of accepting and seeking help is what separates a true narcissist from someone who is struggling with depression. Substance dependence and addiction are legitimate medical conditions recognized by the American Psychiatric Association.