Alcoholics and narcissists will both become defensive once they are confronted about it. They also might attack people who point out what they’re trying to hide or deny. Alcoholics will have lots of excuses for their drinking.

Everyone else may be threats that the person tries to put at bay. Many people with NPD have troubled personal relationships. They may be able to win friends and romantic partners with charm and confidence.

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This form of therapy is focused on identifying the feelings and situations (called “cues”) that lead to heavy drinking and managing stress that can lead to relapse. The goal is to change the thought processes that lead to alcohol misuse and to develop the skills necessary to cope with everyday situations that might trigger problem drinking . One of the most serious and untreated mental health conditions, that can cause harm for substance abuse users, is Narcissistic Personality Disorder . A common and often overlooked reason for substance abuse relapse is an underlying undiagnosed mental health condition. NuView Treatment Center is a top leading Los Angeles outpatient alcohol and drug rehab program. Our goal is to inspire hope and create lasting change while you or a loved one are coping with the challenges of mental health and addiction – one client at a time.

Those with personality disorders can use alcohol as a way to experience short-term relief. These things can lead to alcohol dependence and addiction, which pushes the addiction to become physical and psychological. 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.

What causes each condition — can one cause the other?

Treatment of NPD consists of cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and medications. You don’t have to try to cope with life and addiction all on your own. Reach out to us now, no matter the time of day or night, even if you’re not sure what narcissism and alcoholism you want to do yet and just need someone to listen. Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who has been providing mental health services for over 10 years. When interacting with an alcoholic narcissist, it is necessary to know when to say “no”.

An individual can receive diagnoses of both conditions and begin treatments for both right away. A personality disorder is a mental disorder in which a person maintains an unhealthy way of thinking and behaving. Someone with narcissistic personality disorder has an inflated ego.

The Link Between Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Alcoholism

While different, they can co-occur and they share similarities. People with NPD and AUD may avoid taking responsibility, have a lack of self-awareness, live with grandiosity, and may be practiced in manipulating others to get their own way. People with AUD can also be self-serving, experience grandiose thinking, and have trouble recognizing when it’s time to seek help. They are also known to engage in exploitative or manipulative behaviors as a way of maintaining their addiction. Anyone can display narcissistic traits, such as vanity.