Narcissism and Alcoholism: Similarities, Differences, Diagnosis

Understandably, this can make it difficult to seek support from them or to convince them of a need for intervention. Your partner may also have surrounded themselves with people who feed their narcissism with praise, admiration, and constant validation . You can find support by speaking with your healthcare provider about what you’re noticing or what others have told you.

You experienced withdrawal symptoms when alcohol wore off, such as insomnia, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, a racing heart, or a seizure. These overlapping traits can make it hard to distinguish alcohol misuse from narcissism. 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. Although people with AUD may relapse or have treatment setbacks, they can recover from the disorder.

Overlapping Signs and Symptoms

If they fully acknowledge their drinking problem they know they can no longer justify their drinking. This prevents them from seeking help, and families very often have to contact a professional interventionist for resolution. At the Blackberry Center, our dual diagnosis program is tailored to each individual to treat their unique circumstances and symptoms. We specialize in guiding patients through the process of recovery 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. If you feel like you or someone you care about might be showing signs of being an alcoholic narcissist, there is hope, and there is no reason to be ashamed.

If you answered “yes” to most of the questions above, speaking with a therapist might be a good idea. Regardless, it’s always a good idea to look for mental health help if you’re experiencing something that causes you distress. However, NPD includes other traits, such as needing narcissism and alcoholism 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. How can you help a person with alcohol use disorder , formally called alcoholism?

What Is the “Narcissist Alcoholic?”

Relapse is a common experience among people who are recovering from AUD. You can take steps to prevent relapse, such as recognizing your triggers and joining a support group. If you do relapse, try to seek help again — it’s still possible to make a full recovery. If alcohol misuse begins to impact your life, health, or safety, you might have AUD.