What Is An Alcoholic Narcissist?

Lacking empathy and feeling superior, they give themselves full permission to do whatever the want despite the rules or costs to others. Similarly, addiction can cover inner conflicts and uncomfortable feelings. As long as an addict uses, those feelings go unaddressed. The longer the feelings are unaddressed, the more daunting it can become to look inward and face them. However, narcissism and alcoholism certain food groups also have benefits when it comes to helping with the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms and detoxification. Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

• If alcohol misuse begins to impact your life, health, or safety, you might have AUD.
• Even if their behaviors hurt others, alcoholics do what they feel they need to continue drinking.
• People with NPD might be unwilling or unable to recognize others’ feelings and needs.
• A common and often overlooked reason for substance abuse relapse is an underlying undiagnosed mental health condition.
• With the help of a therapist, they work to overcome those patterns.

Alcohol use disorder is the medical term for alcohol abuse or alcoholism. It also refers to when your body goes into withdrawal without alcohol. Treating NPD can be challenging and may require https://ecosoberhouse.com/ long-term therapy, but working alongside healthcare professionals can help people reduce symptoms. With treatment, those with NPD can live healthy lives with positive relationships.

How Narcissists and Alcoholics Are Similar

The treatment paths for both disorders are similar to each other. Individuals can go through talk therapy, developing social skills and targeting emotional triggers. At the same time, both conditions can create a feeling of self-absorption. The individual may prioritize their own welfare above others at all costs.

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. While alcoholism is an addiction and narcissism is a personality disorder, the two share many characteristics that may cause trouble in their personal, social, and work lives. Alcoholism is more than just occasionally drinking too much and causing a scene.

Overlapping Signs and Symptoms

If it is pointed out to them, they refuse to take responsibility. To take responsibility would require them to admit fault and they cannot admit fault because this brings up feelings of shame.

Narcissists may hide, deny, or downplay if they start drinking again, especially since they may have made their sobriety the new focus of attention in your family or friend group. The shared denial, lack of self-awareness, and refusal to take responsibility for one’s actions can make the diagnostic process particularly challenging. Verywell Health’s content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Both conditions may influence the other, and some symptoms or behaviors of each condition can overlap. But narcissists lack the empathy required to value or show interest in others and have difficulty making meaningful connections. This is likely due to the distress, emptiness, loneliness, guilt, shame, and despair that’s often lurking just below the surface.

Medical

People with NPD tend to have difficulty receiving criticism from others, and as such, they might find it difficult to commit to psychotherapy and lifestyle changes. People with AUD or NPD might resist getting treatment or looking for help. It’s possible for people with AUD to successfully stop using alcohol when they have the right support and treatment. People who are genetically predisposed to experience unpleasant side effects of drinking are less likely to drink often, making AUD unlikely. A 2018 study examined the link between narcissism and alcohol use based on a survey of 345 college students.