Narcissism and Addiction

You try to guess what the narcissist needs, and you attempt to make different changes based on these wild guesses. This devaluing can occur suddenly- and it often feels downright confusing- but it always hurts. And so, because you probably want to keep your partner happy, you naturally start reflecting on how you can be a better person.

Some narcissists are driven by very low self-esteem and have a deep need to be revered and respected. At their core, though, they have a low opinion of themselves, even loathing themselves. These are the difficult questions that the partner of a narcissist and addict has to explore and answer for him or herself.

If you’re in a relationship with a narcissist, it’s hard to know what to do.

Despite their denial, individuals having narcissism are just as unwitting to addiction signs. When they realize they are addicted, they have to admit that something has changed. Instead, narcissistic individuals think everything is already figured out. Nevertheless, the recognition and respect that they require for narcissism have increased over time, just like a drug addict needs to maintain his/her dose. When they feel that the amount of attention and admiration they receive is not enough, they become anxious and, ultimately, depressed.

• We believe sober living should be holistic, individual-focused, and centered on all aspects of an individual’s life.
• If you have a narcissist in your life, your encounters with them may leave you feeling anxious, judged or exhausted from trying to keep up with their demands.
• They may fall into the cycle of addiction more quickly than they realize whenever they feel this way.
• A doctor can offer help and treatment to those dealing with addiction, which may involve suggesting lifestyle changes or rehabilitation clinics.
• In the Five Factor Model framework, Machiavellianism is—like narcissism and psychopathy—primarily characterized by interpersonal antagonism (58).

There are many similar traits between someone with NPD and someone with a substance use disorder. In many ways, the substance is accessed as a way of self-medicating the negative emotions the NPD wants to deny. These might be feelings of shame or guilt, low self-esteem, or a sense of inadequacy. To maintain a sense of superiority they must hide these feelings, so a substance becomes a tool to that end. One thing that has intrigued researchers about narcissists is that they are ultimately playing a losing game, and prone to self-defeating behaviors. A 2018 meta-analysis looked at the results of 62 studies and found that grandiose narcissism has a moderate association with increased social network use.

What Is The Definition Of A Narcissist

Taken together, there is robust evidence for associations of substance use and addiction with psychopathic traits not only in forensic samples but also in the general population. Unlike narcissism, there is little evidence for drug use as affect regulation in psychopathy. This aligns with the idea that individuals with psychopathic traits experience low levels of stress and anxiety, as for instance manifest in the negative correlations with neuroticism (64, 66). Substance use and addiction might be more related to stimulation seeking and impulsivity. In his book, The Narcissist You Know, Joseph Burgo includes the “Addicted Narcissist” as one type of Extreme Narcissism.

They frequently have narcissistic tendencies, including boasting and being snobbish. People with narcissism are urged to receive praise or adoration, command attention, and expect special treatment in keeping up with one’s perceived superiority. According to Psychology today, a person with narcissism cares only for their wants, needs, and desires. And the interests and needs of others, both tangible and intangible, will always come second to their pursuit of new and better triumphs. If your romantic partner is a narcissist, they may be highly judgmental or disrespectful of your needs. Adult children of narcissistic parents may be survivors of abuse or neglect.

Dealing With Addiction

Not treating it can lead to ruined relationships, health consequences, and even death. Contact a mental health professional to know more about counseling or therapy options for narcissists and addiction. Those with a narcissistic personality disorder may develop an addiction to drugs, alcohol, sex, or even social media. A narcissist often feels nothing bad can happen to them, so many think nothing of taking drugs or drinking too much. Instead of being worried about the harm that addiction can cause, people with narcissism feel confident that nothing bad will happen to them. While no definitive link exists between narcissistic personality disorder and addiction, the two can occur together and have similar cycles of behavior.

• Research shows that individuals with grandiose narcissism can more effectively recognize and evaluate problems with substance abuse than those with vulnerable narcissism.
• A person with NPD might be distrustful of, insecure about or feel superior to people around them to the point of failing to connect with their peers.
• Moreover, narcissistic individuals think they are more capable than others of dealing with the effects of drug abuse and alcohol.
• We are often victims of our narcissistic personality, struggling unaware of the varied unknowns of our narcissism until it is far too late.
• In their conception, individuals displaying Machiavellian tendencies are characterized by instrumental and strategic interpersonal behavior alongside low orientation towards moral standards.

Therefore, I encourage you to do a self-check honestly -where you examine your own life and then commit to facing the individuals struggling with addiction in your story with courage, strength, and truth. With the prevalence of both addiction and narcissism, the chances are that you already have someone in your own family who has caused pain to you or others as a result. Whether dealing with a narcissist or an addictive person your response should be the same. Before you label a person as a narcissist, see if they demonstrate signs of addiction.

They’re so different from your previous partners, and you may even feel as obsessed with them as they are with you. In psychology, these fantasy assumptions are called magical thinking. You assume you can change the outcome of something based on a specific behavior or decision you make. Magical thinking can have its benefits (it can feel good to be optimistic), but it often leads to resentment and animosity regarding relationships. These behaviors can interfere with normal functioning, and that’s when a dynamic often transforms from problematic to addictive.

As a result, they are less likely to be motivated to alter their behavior. In a 2019 study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, researchers examined the link between narcissism and substance use, suggesting that self-esteem plays a significant role. Individuals with narcissism tend to use drugs, alcohol, or other addictive substances as a form of validation, which stems from their unstable self-esteem. Trying to figure out how to handle a narcissistic person that is addicted to alcohol and drugs is not for the faint of heart, although the good news is that there is recovery for both. Because at the end of the day, even though someone may be narcissistic, not every person who has a narcissistic personality disorder wants to exploit their narcissism. There is absolutely nothing that can be done to prevent a personality disorder.

Many people grappling with addiction experience cravings, develop a tolerance for the substance, and experience withdrawal when they stop drinking or taking drugs. Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder are alcoholics narcissists feel superior and seek new ways to feel better than others, leading to cravings for drugs or alcohol. If they receive criticism, narcissists may become distressed, which can seem similar to withdrawal symptoms.

This type of behavior frequently frustrates or offends the other person, resulting in a distance between them. A narcissist will blame others for his or her rage, allowing them to ignore reality and maintain their inflated self-esteem. These character traits are like the ones that someone also exhibits when they have a substance https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alcoholic-ketoacidosis-symptoms-and-treatment/ abuse disorder. Both can stem from the other and, in fact, exacerbate the symptoms of the other one when it is not treated, which causes a vicious cycle. There comes the point when seeking help is no longer just a thought in passing; it must be done before we go down a path that it is almost impossible to reroute from.

How to Handle a Narcissist

Today, some of these addictions go unrecognized in a person’s life, like a tendency to binge drink alcohol on the weekends. And in other cases, where addiction is more severe, a person may relent to the need for special treatment. In many cases of pathological gambling, the behavior stems from underlying mental health conditions, including anxiety disorder and depression. The medical condition of narcissism is known as a narcissistic personality disorder, which refers to a set of character traits that reflect an inflated sense of self-importance. Someone with NPD will have a grandiose degree of self-confidence and believe they are superior to others.

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a mental illness characterized by a lack of empathy and excessive self-importance. Again, if care is not coordinated by a qualified mental health professional, the overlapping treatments can lead to drug interactions, unintended side effects, and the possible abandonment of treatment. With NPD, for example, there are no drugs specifically used for the treatment of the personality disorder, but antidepressants or anxiolytics may be prescribed if depression or anxiety is present. All personality and substance abuse disorders are diagnosed based on a strict set of criteria described in the DSM-5. While there is room for interpretation, a person with NPD and/or AUD must meet a minimum standard before a diagnosis can be delivered with confidence.

Narcissism and sex addiction

With the number of Americans living in addiction it is no wonder why we are labeling so many people as narcissists. At North Jersey Recovery Center, we strive to make your addiction treatment experience as comfortable as possible. With any mental health condition, the outlook is almost invariably better if you are treated than not treated. Join our newsletter to be part of a community of people with shared experiences. This is a great asset to those struggling with their own personal battles.

• However, as our team at North Jersey Recovery Center knows, this is a temporary solution to a lingering issue, if not addressed correctly.
• A 2019 study involving young adults with vulnerable narcissism found that the disorder can cause overwhelming feelings of shame in the individual.
• Just because the narcissist feeds off illusions of grandeur, doesnt mean the family support system needs to strengthen that belief.
• Although experts believe that genetic factors can make people up to 50% more inclined toward alcohol use disorder, addiction has many possible causes.
• And even though millions of drug addicts and alcoholics are not receiving the treatment they need, there remain thousands of individuals who do seek treatment for their addictive behaviors each year.
• This creates a pattern of dependent behavior, which is extremely harmful.