Regardless, it’s always a good idea to look for mental health help if you’re experiencing something that causes you distress. Both AUD and NPD should be diagnosed by a healthcare professional. In the United States, the DSM-5-TR is used to diagnose both conditions. These overlapping traits can make it hard to distinguish alcohol misuse from narcissism. Because this admission breaks the narcissistic tendency of alcoholics to deny that they have a problem. If you have NPD and AUD, finding support can be challenging because they are two separate disorders with two separate treatment approaches.

Research suggests that narcissists suffer more stress than non-narcissists, possibly because they’re actually more insecure. All these factors increase the likelihood of a narcissist developing a problem with alcohol. This shouldn’t come as a surprise when considering why people are driven to drink. They also tend to avoid genuine self-reflection and deflect blame onto others, refusing to take responsibility for their actions. Grandiose narcissists are highly concerned with their self-image and how others perceive them. However, beneath their outward appearance of humility, they still prioritize their own needs and desires above others and struggle with empathy and genuine emotional connection.

Which 12-Step Program Is Right For Me?

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. This study highlights the importance of individual differences in alcohol-related outcomes in a high risk population of college students.

If you do relapse, try to seek help again — it’s still possible to make a full recovery. Many people use the terms “alcohol use disorder” and “alcohol misuse” interchangeably, but they refer to two different things. Although alcohol misuse and AUD can cause someone to display narcissist-like behavior, this behavior might change when they’re sober or in recovery. We are dedicated to transforming the despair of addiction into a purposeful life of confidence, self-respect and happiness. We want to give recovering addicts the tools to return to the outside world completely substance-free and successful.

Ways To Forgive Yourself In Recovery

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. You might also engage in lifestyle changes and self-care strategies in order to make progress.

While alcohol may initially provide a temporary escape, it can also reinforce and amplify narcissistic behavior over time. Alcohol impairs judgment, lowers inhibitions, and reduces self-awareness, which can lead to an intensification of narcissistic traits and behaviors. This can include an inflated sense of self-importance, entitlement, disregard for others’ feelings, and an increased need for admiration and validation. Conversely, alcohol abuse can reinforce and amplify narcissistic behavior. The altered state of mind induced by alcohol can further impair empathy, increase self-centeredness, and intensify manipulative tendencies.

Why Narcissists Are at Risk of Alcohol Addiction

In the same way, those with AUD can be emotional, irritable, unpredictable, and impulsive, especially when inebriated or when they feel attacked or pressured to stop drinking. But narcissists lack the empathy required to value or show interest in others and have difficulty making meaningful connections. 345 college students (28% male, 72% female) from a Midwestern university were recruited from undergraduate psychology courses from April 2015 to October 2016. It can be fun and relaxing to go out for drinks with your friends on Friday nights after a long work week or have a cocktail before bed.

Narcissistic personality disorder can be one of the more challenging mental health conditions to treat. Even with therapy, progress can be slow in changing the core behaviors. People who display addictive behaviors in addition to narcissistic traits may require a substance abuse treatment program that is equipped to treat co-occurring disorders. Moreover, covert narcissism and alcoholism alcohol can contribute to the erosion of personal relationships, as narcissistic behavior fueled by alcohol can lead to conflicts, manipulation, and emotional abuse. This toxic dynamic further perpetuates the cycle of alcoholism and narcissism, as the individual may continue to rely on alcohol as a means of self-soothing and self-medication.

Failure To Take Responsibility

One such change might be to avoid substances like alcohol if they tend to trigger harmful behavior. In other words, those who had narcissistic tendencies were more likely to use alcohol and experience problems because of alcohol use. However, NPD includes other traits, such as needing constant praise and special treatment, reacting negatively to criticism, and manipulating others. People with NPD might be unwilling or unable to recognize others’ feelings and needs. Many narcissists are very social, and so are many alcoholics, at least while under the influence. However, there are many correlations between the two, which are most often displayed by alcoholics.

• NPD increases the risk of alcohol abuse as a means to escape difficult emotions.
• Common narcissistic traits of NPD include grandiosity, inflated self-image and self-worth, as well as a lack of empathy.
• Entitlement is a way to justify not just drinking but also feeling, which can fuel not taking responsibility or coming out of denial.
• Do you know someone who struggles with alcoholism and also displays patterns of narcissism?

Similarly, using alcohol doesn’t mean a person with NPD has AUD, even if there have been incidents of extreme intoxication. If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please contact at