Narcissistic Personality Disorder NPD, Drug Abuse & Alcoholism

However, certain food groups also have benefits when it comes to helping with the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms and detoxification. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles.

Narcissists often shame others to cover their own inadequacies. For alcoholics, drinking numbs or masks the shame they carry. Both narcissists and alcoholics tend to view others as either enablers or as potential threats (who interfere with their campaign of self-aggrandizement or their freedom to drink). People in an alcoholic’s life may notice their loved one’s behavior has changed. People in a narcissist’s life may feel the person’s core behavior is the same, no matter what. The narcissist-like behavior of some alcoholics may only be a result of their addiction—it may not be how they really are when sober.

The drunk narcissist

In fact, an alcoholic narcissist often can’t see things any way other than their own–this is where narcissistic personality disorder can come into play. Healthcare professionals may ask people about their drinking habits to assess AUD. To diagnose NPD, a doctor may refer people to a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist may carry out a standard psychiatric interview, which healthcare professionals use to diagnose personality disorders. Healthcare professionals may also use the Narcissistic Personality Inventory to diagnose narcissism. 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.

We specialize in guiding patients through the process of narcissism and alcoholism step by step. From the very first day of alcohol detox and all the way through the discharge process and beyond, you will be able to tackle the causes of addiction head on with full support along the way.

They struggle to take responsibility for their actions and behaviors

Ego then often spends a considerable amount of time engaging with its drug of choice too, no matter what it may be. In fact, Medical News Today provides medical insight that’s as heady as it is nutritious.

Only the alcoholic narcissist can decide if they need help and when they’re ready to begin treatment. Whether you decide to stay in the relationship or leave but are involved through shared children, getting support for yourself is essential.