A loved one’s drinking and selfish behavior can be devastating and cause a great deal of pain and disappointment. If you’ve ever wondered if your loved one’s issues involve only their drinking problem or may in fact involve narcissism as well, consider the following symptoms. Many people with narcissism may also have an addiction to alcohol, sex, drugs, or social media. However, not everyone with narcissism has an addiction and vice versa.
When two conditions like https://accountingcoaching.online/tips-for-treating-and-living-with-essential-tremor/ occur together, sometimes people believe that one disorder causes the other, but co-occurring disorders are more complex than that. Research has shown that there is an overlap between alcohol use disorder and personality disorders, including NPD. One study found that among individuals who reported alcohol use, 9.1% were diagnosed with NPD at some point during their lives [1]. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.
A quick note on terminology
Remove yourself from harmful situations, and seek assistance if needed. Having a support network can provide emotional validation and guidance during challenging times. You may, for example, ban your partner from drinking around you or refuse to give them money knowing they’ll only spend it on alcohol. Establish clear Abstinence violation effect Definition of Abstinence violation effect boundaries to protect your emotional well-being, being clear about what behaviors you’re willing to tolerate and what your reaction will be if those boundaries are crossed. Dealing with an alcoholic is demanding, and coping with a narcissist is far from easy, so when you combine the two, you have a real challenge.
- “To the extent that you can’t depend on people, you’ll depend on other sources to soothe yourself, like feeling special (narcissism) or watching pornography or getting drunk.
- Narcissists rarely apologize for their mistakes and often blame others.
- When this task becomes difficult due to NPD, stimulants can boost performance.
- The Recovery Village can help you successfully overcome addiction and get sober.
The main treatment for NPD is talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy. However, research from 2014 tells us that genetics might play a part in whether some people develop NPD. It seems that many people who have NPD might also have AUD, but it’s not clear why. Someone who’s narcissistic might be self-absorbed and have an inflated sense of self-importance.
Ways To Forgive Yourself In Recovery
If you think you’re misusing alcohol, or if you think you have NPD, reach out to a mental health professional. Everybody can benefit from speaking with a therapist, regardless of whether they fit the criteria for a mental health https://accountingcoaching.online/expressive-arts-therapy-15-creative-activities-and/ condition. If alcohol misuse 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.
