Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Addiction
Narcissistic personality disorder or NPD belongs to a class of disorders most characterized by emotional instability and extravagant behavior displays, traits that impair a person’s ability to function in everyday life. When combined with drug or alcohol addiction, NPD takes on a whole new intensity in terms of the degree of instability and destructive behavior that result.
As personality disorders in general tend to be “ingrained” or long-term in nature, someone struggling with narcissistic personality disorder and addiction tend to have an even more difficult time recovering from either condition the longer he or she disregards the need for treatment help.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder Components
Features
Narcissists tend to have delusions of grandeur and superiority.
The Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders uses a classification system that categorizes different types of conditions based on their underlying features and effects. According to Fort Lewis College, narcissistic personality disorder exists as one of four disorders that fall under the Axis II, Cluster B category of psychological disorders.
Axis II encompasses personality disorders, which are more so “ingrained” patterns of behavior compared to Axis I conditions, such as substance abuse and anxiety-based disorders. As a member of the Cluster B category, narcissistic personality disorder features stem from a deep-set emotional instability that manifests as self-centeredness, poor impulse control and dramatic behavior displays.
Call our toll-free helpline at 888-647-0051 (Who Answers?) for information on rehab programs that treat narcissistic personality disorder and addiction.
Symptoms
People affected by narcissistic personality disorder display a minimum of five of the following symptoms:
- Arrogance
- Lack of empathy for others
- Delusions of grandeur and superiority
- Envious or believes others envy him or her
- Uses others for personal gain
- Sense of entitlement
- Views oneself as “special” and above others who aren’t
- Requires ongoing attention and admiration from others
- Obsessed with unrealistic ideals, such as power, success and intelligence
When narcissistic personality disorder is present, one or more of the above symptoms will cause a considerable degree of impairment in terms of a person’s ability to interact with others and function in everyday life.
https://www.disorders.org/narcissistic-histrionic/5-signs-you-suffer-from-narcissistic-disorder/
Addiction Potential
According to the U. S. National Library of Medicine, the emotional instability that characterizes narcissistic personality disorder stems from a fragile self-identity. NPD sufferers compensate for this by drawing admiration from others through deceit, intimidation or whatever means deemed necessary.
The potential for developing addiction lies in the similarities between the two conditions as both conditions drive a person to seek satisfaction or contentment through external means. Under these conditions, once addiction develops in full force, compulsive drug-using behaviors become an extension of a person’s narcissistic tendencies. This can make for a volatile combination, driving a person to essentially destroy any and all relationships in his or her life, both at home and on the job.
Treatment Considerations
Over time, the effects of narcissistic personality disorder and addiction form a vicious cycle of emotional dysfunction and compulsive drug (or alcohol) use. As addiction in any form only works to destabilize a person’s mental and emotional health, he or she stands to become completely enmeshed in a compulsive drug-using cycle that increases in severity at a rapid rate.
Ultimately, the sooner a person seeks needed treatment help the better his or her chances of a successful recovery. If you’re considering treatment and need help finding a program that meets your needs, call our toll-free helpline at 888-647-0051 (Who Answers?) to speak with one of our addiction specialists.
