Understanding Narcissism in Older Adults

Prioritizing mental health and fostering empathy are key to maintaining a healthy relationship with an aging loved one. With Talkspace’s professional guidance, caregivers can feel more equipped to balance their own well-being with the emotional demands of the role. When you understand this, it helps you keep a healthy perspective about the relationship. NPD is a mental health condition that affects how individuals view themselves and relate to others.

• Learning about the symptoms of each mental health disorder is important to understand how NPD and AUD intersect.
• Individuals with narcissistic personality traits may be more vulnerable to developing alcohol use disorders.
• This type of narcissism is marked by hypersensitivity to criticism and insecurity, often appearing shy or reserved.
• The outlook of co-occurring NPD and AUD may depend on the severity of each condition and how each individual is functioning.
• Do you know someone who struggles with alcoholism and also displays patterns of narcissism?

How are narcissists and alcoholics similar?

However, when they do co-occur, it can lead to a cycle of destructive behaviors. Diagnosis and treatment for individuals with both AUD and NPD can be challenging due to overlapping symptoms. In turn, the attention and validation sought by individuals with narcissistic traits may be readily available when they consume alcohol. This positive reinforcement from others can further perpetuate their reliance on alcohol as a means of bolstering their ego and maintaining their desired image. can alcoholism cause narcissism If you or someone you know is struggling with narcissism or alcoholism, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional. Treatment may involve therapy, medication, and support groups, among other options.

Our team of highly trained companions assist clients in various aspects of their recovery journey. In many cases, an alcoholic doesn’t start with NPD, but their alcoholic personality leads them to act in ways that are similar to an individual with narcissistic tendencies. Another factor that contributes to the link between narcissism and alcoholism is the tendency of narcissists to use alcohol as a means of escapism.

Instead of openly seeking admiration, an older narcissist might adopt subtler ways to assert superiority. A former corporate leader may, for example, boast about their past achievements in a self-deprecating way, fishing for validation without overt arrogance. Or a retired professor might continue to dominate conversations, offering unsolicited advice as a way to maintain intellectual superiority. Narcissists may turn to alcohol as a means of self-medication or as a way to enhance their self-esteem. Alcohol can temporarily alleviate feelings of insecurity, anxiety, and low self-worth, providing a temporary escape from the demands of maintaining a grandiose self-image. However, this reliance on alcohol as a coping mechanism can lead to a dangerous cycle of addiction.

We Care About Your Privacy

It involves both a physical dependence on alcohol and a psychological compulsion to drink. The effects of alcoholism are wide-ranging and can impact every aspect of a person’s life. Whether someone with AUD has admitted they need help or loved ones have staged an intervention, the first phase of treatment is detox and withdrawal. It’s important to do this safely under medical care, especially if your AUD is severe, to avoid dangerous withdrawal symptoms like seizures. There aren’t any psychiatric medications specifically approved for treating NPD, but if you have a co-occurring mental health condition, you may receive medications to treat those additional symptoms. While these meds won’t directly treat NPD symptoms, they can improve overall mental well-being.

Support for Caregivers & Older Adults

Clinical narcissists are obsessed with themselves to the point of not being able to form healthy relationships. “Object love” is one way to describe relationships narcissists have with others. Instead of genuinely valuing others, they see friends and loved ones as objects through which they experience various aspects of self-love. Individuals with these types of relationships may not consider how their actions affect others. If you think you have either or both conditions, it’s best to talk with a mental health professional for a diagnosis.

Some individuals have both Narcissistic Personality Disorder and an active addiction. Coping with someone with a dual diagnosis can be more difficult than if that person suffered from only narcissism or untreated alcoholism. Caring for an aging adult with narcissistic traits can be emotionally and mentally exhausting, even with the best of intentions. If their behavior becomes overwhelming, unmanageable, or starts to negatively affect your own well-being, it’s crucial to seek professional help. Not all individuals with either AUD or NPD will develop the other disorder.

They may be emotionally manipulative, use others for their own gain, and be prone to anger and aggression. They may struggle with maintaining healthy relationships and may have difficulty admitting they have a problem. Narcissism is a personality disorder characterized by a grandiose sense of self-importance, a lack of empathy for others, and a need for admiration. People with narcissism often have a sense of entitlement and may exploit others to meet their own needs. Narcissism can be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and social factors.

Alcoholics can undergo similar shifts when under the influence and can seem like a different person in a matter of a few drinks. During conversations, they don’t seem to process what other people tell them. In some cases, they take money set aside for household expenses or their children’s education. Along with emotionally or physically neglecting their loved ones, they sometimes commit physical abuse. Regardless of what’s going on in their lives, alcoholics feel entitled to a drink. Nothing, not even their family’s pain, can stand in the way of the drink they feel they deserve.

Based on existing research, we can’t say that alcoholism causes a personality disorder like narcissism. Personality disorders usually start when someone is a teenager or young adult. Even when an alcoholic doesn’t have a full diagnosis of NPD, they act in ways that are similar to a narcissist. Before we address the complex relationship between alcoholism and narcissism, we need to understand what narcissism is.

More likely to engage in risky behavior

• Following alcohol guidelines can help people stay within moderate levels of alcohol consumption.
• Research indicates that individuals diagnosed with NPD are more likely to develop AUD compared to those without narcissistic traits.
• They may exploit others without guilt or shame, believing they are superior and entitled to special treatment.
• You could start by engaging with a mental healthcare provider or treatment center that specializes in dual diagnoses.

You might also engage in lifestyle changes and self-care strategies in order to make progress. One such change might be to avoid substances like alcohol if they tend to trigger harmful behavior. However, treatments like psychotherapy, group support, and self-care strategies can help people with either condition feel much better. Although alcohol misuse and AUD can cause someone to display narcissist-like behavior, this behavior might change when they’re sober or in recovery. Are you in a relationship with someone who puts themself and their drinking before others?

Medications like Campral, Topamax, and Revia have greatly improved AUD recovery rates. With any mental health condition, the outlook is almost invariably better if you are treated than not treated. By way of example, a person must meet five of nine possible criteria for NPD to be diagnosed, ranging from grandiosity to a lack of empathy. As a caregiver, it’s essential to distinguish between actions rooted in narcissism and those caused by physical or cognitive decline. This helps you respond with compassion while maintaining necessary boundaries, ensuring that you care for your loved one without enabling harmful patterns.

How Narcissism and Alcoholism co-exist in an individual?

While there may be overlapping behaviors and characteristics, it is not accurate to categorize all alcoholics as narcissists. Alcoholism is a complex condition with a variety of underlying causes that extend beyond narcissism 5. Alcoholic narcissism, also referred to as bipolar narcissistic alcoholism, is a complex condition that stems from various factors. Here we will explore the five most common causes of alcoholic narcissism, shedding light on the interplay between narcissism and alcohol abuse. The intersection of narcissism and alcoholism presents unique and complex challenges. Understanding the dynamics between these conditions is essential for recognizing the struggles faced by individuals and their loved ones.

With the right support, treatment, and commitment to recovery, it is possible to break free from the cycle of narcissism and alcoholism and build healthier, more fulfilling lives. Chronic alcohol misuse worsens symptoms of untreated NPD, enhancing narcissistic personality traits. People with NPD often have poor impulse control and difficulty relating emotionally to others. In addition, they may not be able to identify and process their own emotions in a healthy way. Some people use alcohol to numb overwhelming, confusing, or unwanted feelings.

One study found that among individuals who reported alcohol use, 9.1% were diagnosed with NPD at some point during their lives 1. Caring for an older adult with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is emotionally demanding and requires significant resilience. Fortunately, support is available from various sources—whether through therapy, peer groups, family, or online platforms like Talkspace. Talkspace can be a valuable resource for both caregivers and older adults navigating the complexities of NPD. Through online therapy, caregivers can gain tools to set healthy boundaries, manage stress, and prevent burnout, while also learning strategies to handle challenging behaviors with compassion. Alcoholism can also contribute to the development or intensification of narcissistic behaviors.