Is It Narcissism or Alcoholism?

Devaluing others is a key component of the vulnerable narcissist character. Drinking beyond one’s limits (IC), and thereby missing important events (i.e., graduations, birthdays, sporting competitions) can destroy trust and intimacy with others (Wolin, Bennett, Noonan, & Teitelbaum, 1980). Our novel finding in the current study is that devaluing others was found to be the strongest facet of narcissism directly predicting IC. Moreover, when IC is present as a mediating mechanism, devaluing is also predictive of more heavy-episodic drinking, which was related to more alcohol-related problems.

Grandiose narcissism predicts drinking behavior independently of impulsivity, which indicates that other mechanisms might be relevant (24). This becomes even more apparent when grandiosity is accompanied by vulnerability, for which increased feelings of shame explain the association with problematic alcohol use (21). 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. People with narcissism and those with an addiction share similar character traits.

Overlapping signs and symptoms

Even though they might seem okay when they’re not dealing with a lack of attention or when they’re not drinking, eventually, their self-centeredness becomes apparent. Participants were recruited through in-class and online announcements in undergraduate courses at a Midwestern university. Participants were told of the nature of the study and provided informed consent by agreeing covert narcissism and alcoholism to take the online survey. Participants completed an online survey with questionnaires measuring the variables of interest. You nor your loved one are under any obligation to commit to an Ark Behavioral Health treatment program when calling our helpline. If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please contact at

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). If alcohol misuse https://ecosoberhouse.com/ begins to impact your life, health, or safety, you might have AUD. Many people use the terms “alcohol use disorder” and “alcohol misuse” interchangeably, but they refer to two different things.

Overlapping causes and risk factors

Furthermore, the findings point to the importance of distinguishing the “agentic” or perhaps social side of the narcissist from the angry and demanding one. The rise of home delivery services for alcohol enabled people to avoid stepping outside and possibly getting sick, but also further isolated them, Siegel said. Other policy changes, like permitting alcohol to be carried in to-go cups, posed “a risk factor for excessive alcohol use,” Esser said. If you have a relationship with someone who has NPD, you might struggle to understand their behaviors. People who have NPD might engage in exploitative actions such as gaslighting and manipulation.

Narcissists’ partners are often self-effacing and feel powerless. – Psychology Today

Narcissists’ partners are often self-effacing and feel powerless..

Posted: Fri, 11 Feb 2022 08:00:00 GMT [source]

People with AUD, also known as alcoholism, can display patterns of narcissism, including self-absorption and an underlying craving for admiration. As the authors state, when narcissists are in vulnerable states, their “discomforting feelings and subjective psychological distress” may make them paradoxically more open to finding a way out of their default mode. Then, the person switches into “antagonistic mode” in which they try to protect themselves.

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Similarly, people with dual diagnosis can manage their symptoms with appropriate treatment. Both conditions may influence the other, and some symptoms or behaviors of each condition can overlap. 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. However, it’s recommended that both conditions are treated at the same time to improve your likelihood of recovery.