How to Deal with a Covert Narcissist Family Member: Strategies for Coping and Setting Boundaries

And you may even experience increased social anxiety because you want to be loved and appreciated while also being understood. It should be noted that narcissism is a trait, but can also be part of a personality disorder. People who are at the highest end of the spectrum are the people who are classified as NPD. Others with narcissistic traits may fit on the lower end of the narcissistic spectrum. Treating NPD can be challenging and may require long-term therapy, but working alongside healthcare professionals can help people reduce symptoms.

What Happens When a Covert Narcissist Drinks Alcohol?

In such cases, a person might start to question the diagnosis and abandon treatment altogether even if another condition, such as NPD, actually exists. This highlights the urgent need for awareness, intervention, and support for those affected by this complex and harmful dual diagnosis. It’s essential to remain calm, assert boundaries, and seek support from trusted individuals to navigate such interactions effectively. By recognizing these triggers, we can better navigate interactions and protect our emotional well-being. In some cases, setting boundaries and practicing self-care can mitigate the impact of triggers.

What Are Some Signs of AUD?

These individuals have a lack of concern for the well-being of others or how others may be affected by their actions. These individuals will debate, argue, distract, or back you into a corner, due to the way alcohol affects them. Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive, complicated disease that is hallmarked by an unmanageable compulsion to drink alcohol. Regardless of consequences, an alcoholic will find a reason to drink, even if they have to make one up and deny the actual repercussions. An alcoholic can exhibit symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), but usually not enough to be diagnosed. When AUD and NPD occur together, it can increase a person’s hostility and aggression.

Dual diagnosis

• The helpline at AddictionResource.net is available 24/7 to discuss the treatment needs of yourself or a loved one.
• Understand that dealing with a covert narcissist can be emotionally draining.
• You, nor your loved one, are under any obligation to commit to a Treatment X treatment program when calling the helpline.
• Perhaps the trickiest person I have ever dealt with was a long term female friend of mine — and I say she was the trickiest because the covert nature of her narcissism mostly kept her under the radar.
• Medications like Campral, Topamax, and Revia have greatly improved AUD recovery rates.
• Personality disorders are mental health conditions involving pervasive and often destructive personality traits.

It can be puzzling to encounter individuals who appear unassuming, but in reality, they are constructing a complex web of manipulation and self-centeredness. For the longest time, I didn’t believe my ex had a drinking problem, because he didn’t fit the traditional picture of alcoholism I had seen on TV. On TV, alcoholics are portrayed as stumbling, word-slurring, incoherent souls, who must drink all day long. Accept that the narcissist may not change, and it’s okay to prioritize your own mental health and happiness. Set realistic goals for your interactions with them to reduce stress and emotional burden.

The number of criteria a person meets determines whether they have AUD, and if so, the severity of the condition. It can be a part of celebratory occasions and fun, or an occasional way to unwind after a long day. For some people, alcohol use becomes regular and problematic and may lead to dependence.

• Recognizing covert personality traits requires looking beyond obvious appearances, past common assumptions and expectations.
• Alcoholic narcissism is a term used to describe individuals who exhibit both narcissistic traits and struggle with alcohol addiction.
• Treating NPD can be challenging and may require long-term therapy, but working alongside healthcare professionals can help people reduce symptoms.
• Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental illness characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, lack of empathy, and a constant need for admiration.
• Avoid getting caught up in their manipulative behaviors or emotional manipulation.

Narcissism is a personality disorder that may cause individuals to display grandiose and self-involved behaviors. Alcoholism is an addiction where people cannot control their alcohol use. Narcissism and alcoholism may both share similar characteristics and can occur at the same time. Recognizing these links traits may enable individuals to seek appropriate help in managing these conditions. Grandiose narcissism was also a significant predictor of a positive alcohol problem evaluation, over and above alcohol use, social desirability and vulnerable narcissism. In other words, grandiose narcissists are more likely to regard the alcohol problems that they may encounter as good.

Alcoholism And Narcissism

This may be because low self-esteem is often the reason for these behaviors, as one study highlighted when looking at the connection between cyberbullying and covert narcissism. Narcissists have a hard time responding to criticism, even when they’re in the wrong. But while an overt narcissist might come off as combative, a covert narcissist will be defensive. Like overt narcissism, covert covert narcissist alcoholic narcissism may have roots in genetics, childhood trauma and learned behavior picked up from parents or other caregivers. While they share similar traits with one another, the difference between overt and covert narcissism is all in how a person shows up and how they express those traits. If people have risk factors for AUD, feel they are drinking excessively, or cannot control their alcohol intake, they can speak with a healthcare professional.

For example, perhaps types of drinking motives (e.g., conformity or coping) differentially mediate the relationship between narcissism subtypes and alcohol outcomes. Moderators such as positive or negative affect or reward sensitivity might affect the strength of the associations found in this study. In addition, future research could include more ethnically diverse samples to determine if the associations found here differ for students of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. When examining the impacts of a covert narcissist alcoholic on relationships and the environment, it becomes evident how their behaviors can create a challenging and disruptive atmosphere.

How to cope with the challenges of relating with narcissists or addicted people

By building support from family and friends, you are more likely to stay on course with your dual treatment plan and avoid the stress that can make AUD and NPD worse. Alternatively, you can access support symptoms for each condition separately. For AUD to be diagnosed, a person must meet one of four possible criteria for alcohol misuse, three of seven possible criteria for alcohol dependence, and two of 12 possible criteria for AUD symptoms.