Stimulants are another people with narcissistic personality disorder commonly use. A possible reason includes the potential of increased energy and confidence while initially using stimulants. A person with narcissistic personality disorder may feel the need to maintain a successful appearance and sociability. When this task becomes difficult due to NPD, are alcoholics narcissists stimulants can boost performance. Some commonly used stimulants by people with narcissistic personality disorder include Adderall, Ritalin, cocaine, methamphetamine and ecstasy. Those with NPD often struggle with an “excessive sense of self-importance.” They focus specifically on themselves, their wants, and their needs without regard for others.

• It has been suggested that narcissists use drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with the feelings of emptiness they experience or use alcohol and drugs to serve as a form of self-medication.
• While academic progress is part of Solstice Academy, this Assessment is focused on physical and mental health.
• The narcissist will disregard reality and maintain their elevated self-identity by blaming other people for their anger.
• One of the hardest types of people to deal with is a narcissist in the middle of their addiction.
• 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.

Many people with narcissism may also have an addiction to alcohol, sex, drugs, or social media. However, not everyone with narcissism has an addiction and vice versa. This study concluded that people with grandiose narcissism are more able to evaluate and recognize their problems with alcohol than people with vulnerable narcissism. People in the latter group are less able to recognize that they have a problem and are, therefore, less likely to be ready to change their behaviors.

What Happens When A Narcissist Uses Drugs?

They are evidence-based – rooted in decades of peer-reviewed psychological research and proven outcomes. At Renaissance Recovery our goal is to provide evidence-based treatment to as many individuals as possible. Give us a call today to verify your insurance coverage or to learn more about paying for addiction treatment. The use of alcohol in particular can boost the NPD’s sense of superiority.

When a narcissist does not receive the attention they require, expect them to act out in extreme ways. As a result, it can cause them to seek out drugs and alcohol in an attempt to deal with their emotional distress. However, as our team at North Jersey Recovery Center knows, this is a temporary solution to a lingering issue, if not addressed correctly. Once symptoms of addiction start to set in (i.e., cravings, heightened tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and negative impacts on the person’s life). The narcissist will usually deny that a problem exists in the first place. At Design for Recovery sober living homes, we develop individualized regimens for each resident, including individuals with dual diagnoses, such as drug abuse and grandiose narcissism.

Effects of Substance Abuse on Narcissistic Personality Disorder Symptoms

It is a well established fact that substance abusers often also have one or more personality disorders (PD). Verheul et al. (1995) recently reviewed the empirical literature on this topic, and found a usual co-occurrence of 40% among alcoholics and 79% among drug abusers in treatment. The most frequent personality disorder found is usually the antisocial and borderline personality disorder, partly biased by the used questionaires and research populations. Codependency addiction manifests as a repetitive and compulsive pattern of relationships with pathologically narcissistic lovers.

If you have spent years with the narcissist, you have built a life together. That’s because on one hand, you want to help the person you love, but on the other you might be resistant to helping someone who is so dismissive of your needs and who might manipulate you all the time. It is not uncommon for two mental health conditions to co-exist (referred to as a comorbidity). Personality disorders like NPD are those in which a person has a rigid and unhealthy pattern of thinking, functioning, and behaving. Substance abuse disorders like AUD are characterized by mental and physical addiction. Some highly effective techniques enable patients suffering from narcissistic beliefs and behaviors to gain insight into their traits and better relate to themselves and others.

Can You Go to Rehab for Mental Health?

There has been research into the link between NPD and substance use disorder, especially alcohol addiction. A recent study looked at the personality traits that exist both in those with alcohol problems and in narcissists. There is an overlap that shows people that drink are prone to devaluing others, a key trait of NPD. Talk therapy can be an effective treatment https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/5-reasons-sobriety-tattoos-are-a-terrible-idea/ for people with narcissistic personality disorder. It can help them learn ways to develop empathy for others, assess their capabilities realistically, and improve their ability to regulate their emotions. A 2019 study involving young adults with vulnerable narcissism found that the disorder can cause overwhelming feelings of shame in the individual.