According to BioScience Trends, “Alcoholism is a global socially significant problem and still remains one of the leading causes of disability and premature death. The risk factors, symptoms, and side effects of NPD and AUD are interlinked and feed off one another. By understanding covert narcissistic parental alienation and being vigilant for signs of parental alienation, individuals can intervene early to protect the child’s well-being.

What Is the Difference Between Communal and Covert Narcissist?

This reliance on alcohol as a coping mechanism can exacerbate their narcissistic tendencies, leading to a detrimental cycle of reinforcement. The associations between covert narcissism and alcohol abuse can result in heightened psychological distress and interpersonal difficulties. It’s crucial to recognize the symptoms of both conditions to provide effective treatment. Addressing covert narcissism and alcoholism concurrently through therapy, support groups, medication, and lifestyle adjustments is essential for promoting recovery and enhancing overall well-being.

Individuals and families affected by NPD and AUD benefit from attending family therapy and support groups. Some studies have shown people diagnosed with NPD respond more positively to therapeutic and social interventions. Often, family therapy reduces the negative effects on children or partners. Pathways Recovery Center uses evidence-based therapy and personalized treatment plans to support clients with co-occurring NPD and AUD. Co-occurring disorders have a profound impact on individuals and families. Genetics, environmental factors, age, gender, and family medical history all play a role in whether someone develops a mental health or substance use disorder (SUD).

How Does Hoovering by a Covert Narcissist Contribute to Parental Alienation?

1. While it can be more difficult to recognize, covert narcissism can be just as destructive as more overt narcissistic behaviors.
2. People with AUD or NPD might resist getting treatment or looking for help.
3. Compared to grandiose narcissists, people in this group were more likely to acknowledge that they had a problem.
4. In some cases, the person can fail to recognize how drinking is negatively affecting their life, and accuse others of being extreme.
5. When advocating for yourself, the narcissist gets a chance to meet the part of you that is aware and knowledgeable of their tactics, making it less appealing for them to keep trying those things with you.

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. Just as with an overt narcissist, you will likely find yourself doing most of the heavy emotional lifting in a relationship with a covert narcissist. Because their need for self-importance reigns supreme, covert narcissists will do whatever they need to do in order to keep the focus on themselves. So, where an extroverted narcissist will blatantly push you aside or manipulate you to accomplish their goal, the covert narcissist is a professional at not acknowledging you at all. Although they are not always sneaky, some covert narcissists can take joy in creating confusion.

Managing a Relationship With Covert Narcissist and BPD

It is not a replacement for a formal consultation with a qualified legal, medical, or mental health professional. If you have any legal concerns, medical issues, or mental health questions, please seek the advice of a licensed attorney, healthcare provider, or mental health provider respectively. Never disregard professional legal, medical, or mental health advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen in this content. Additionally, for specific legal issues, always consult with an attorney licensed to practice law in your jurisdiction. Criticism deeply wounds covert narcissists, threatening their fragile self-esteem.

What we then tend to see are two generally distinct type of narcissist presentation. Alcoholism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder have some overlapping behaviors. Understanding how these two separate disorders are similar may offer some insight into the type of addiction treatment that would be most beneficial. Many people with narcissism may also have aa vs na an addiction to alcohol, sex, drugs, or social media. There is much research to suggest a strong link between narcissism and problematic sexual behavior, notably infidelity and sexual assault. The same factors that drive the problematic use of alcohol and drugs can also drive sex addiction.

Support from loved ones can help people with NPD or AUD change their behavior and work toward recovery. With both conditions, the benefits of therapy depend on your willingness to work on yourself. People with AUD or NPD might resist getting treatment or looking for help. It’s possible for people with AUD to successfully stop using alcohol when they have the right support and treatment. If you think that you or a loved one has NPD or AUD, knowing the symptoms can help you better understand both conditions. To treat dual diagnosis, people will receive treatment options for both NPD and AUD.