Family therapy can also be beneficial, helping loved ones understand the complexities of the situation and learn how to set healthy boundaries. It’s a delicate dance of support and tough love, requiring patience and understanding from all involved. If you have NPD and AUD, finding support can be challenging because they are two separate disorders with two separate treatment approaches. The outlook is even better in people with mental illness who misuse alcohol and other substances.

Strategies for Dealing With Covert Narcissist Alcoholics

Therapy is one of the most effective forms of treatment for clients with NPD and co-occurring AUD. Pathways Recovery Center’s residential dual-diagnosis treatment provides clients the support they need to grow, heal, and thrive. Narcissism and alcoholism feed off one another, and if either is left untreated, the risk of relapse and severe illness or injury increases significantly.

If only one condition is treated, the person’s chances of relapse will increase. While narcissism and alcoholism don’t always occur together, there are some reasons why narcissists might be more prone to developing an alcohol use disorder than the average person. Personality disorders are mental health conditions involving pervasive and often destructive personality traits. 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.

• You can also visit Psych Central’s mental health resource hub, which has information about how to find mental health support.
• Loved ones may feel they are walking on eggshells, never knowing what to expect.
• Therapy can also help people with NPD to process unresolved childhood trauma and develop skills for managing their symptoms 1.
• Alcohol abuse exacerbates these traits, causing mood swings and unpredictable behavior.

How Does Alcohol Affect a Narcissist?

Also, people with AUD might seem to behave similarly to people with narcissistic traits. 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 condition. A 2018 study examined the link between narcissism and alcohol use based on a survey of 345 college students.

Support Systems and Group Therapy

Medical supervision is crucial during alcohol detoxification to ensure safety and manage potentially severe withdrawal symptoms. The combination of NPD and AUD often results in more severe relationship problems and social dysfunction than either disorder alone. Individuals may struggle with maintaining employment, friendships, and romantic partnerships. Alcohol may temporarily alleviate feelings of inadequacy or boost confidence in individuals with NPD, leading to increased consumption. Mood-related symptoms may include irritability, anxiety, and depression, especially when unable to drink.

These Sober living house co-occurring mental health conditions can make it particularly challenging for clinicians, let alone friends and family, to pinpoint where the problems stem from. Other people have experienced narcissistic abuse and have also overcome the emotional pain that comes from it. You can meet some of them by joining a support group online or in your town. Covert narcissists may often engage in gaslighting because it’s a subtle way of manipulating others without making it too obvious. You may also find it helpful to talk to a therapist about your experiences.

Treatment & Support

It involves addressing both the personality disorder and the addiction simultaneously. The interplay between narcissism and alcoholism can have devastating effects on relationships. Loved ones often find themselves caught in a cycle of manipulation, emotional abuse, and instability. Understanding these dynamics is essential for providing support and seeking appropriate help. The good news is that recovery from alcoholism can lead to significant personality changes. As the fog of addiction lifts, some individuals may find their narcissistic traits diminishing.

• Narcissism is like wearing a mask of superiority to hide a fragile self-esteem, always seeking validation from others while simultaneously devaluing them.
• Without therapy and consistent effort, they are unlikely to change, as their behaviors serve as defense mechanisms.
• It’s as if these early wounds create a fertile ground for both conditions to take root, like weeds in an untended garden.
• Labels like “narcissist” or “addict” can be helpful in understanding patterns of behavior, but they don’t define a person’s entire existence.
• People with both NPD and AUD are often treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy.

Seeking support from a therapist or a support group can provide valuable insights into the dynamics of the relationship and help process complex emotions. Both overt and covert narcissists share traits of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), such as a lack of empathy, a sense of entitlement, and a need for validation. Individuals with co-occurring personality disorders have a higher risk of experiencing a relapse during treatment and early recovery. Narcissism is a personality disorder that may cause individuals to display grandiose and self-involved behaviors.

Their inflated sense of self-importance may lead them to expect constant admiration and special treatment. It’s a chronic brain disease marked by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. AUD can range from mild to severe, depending on the number of symptoms present. When we examine what a covert narcissist desires, it becomes clear that their primary goal is to manipulate and control others for personal gain. Seeking constant validation and admiration, they maintain a false image of superiority and specialness. People with both NPD and AUD are often treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy.