It is important to note that people with an addiction do not always show signs of a narcissistic personality disorder and that people with narcissism do not always develop an addiction.
You may be surprised to learn that most individuals who struggle with addiction often have narcissistic personality traits. These individuals may have a heightened view of themselves and focus on their own greatness before thinking about the needs of others.
Those with NPD may be much more likely to develop an addiction than those without disorders of this nature. It is estimated that 70 percent of individuals with narcissistic personality traits suffered from an alcohol use disorder and 50 percent had a history of substance abuse.
No single personality type sets someone up for addiction, but there are a few personality traits common among people who have a substance use disorder: an inability to handle stress, impulsivity, unaccountability and a lack of empathy.
Drug Use and Personality
Generally, those who use drugs or alcohol are characterized by having high Neuroticism, high Openness to Experience, low Agreeableness, and low Conscientiousness.
BPD and ASPD are amongst the most common PDs to cooccur with SUDs.
The risk taker
The thrill-seeker is one of the personality traits of people most likely to suffer from addiction. These people often indulge in impulsive behavior and exhibit little control when experimenting with dangerous activities. This makes them more likely to use drugs.
The Adventurous, Risk-Taking Trait
Individuals who like to take risks and who have little impulse control around experimenting and playing with new experiences and dangerous activities are more likely to try drugs.
Personality features have long been associated with addictions. Recently, impulsive tendencies have been considered important in the psychopathologies of addictions.
Drugs can cause mood swings and paranoia. This can make it difficult for an addict to maintain healthy relationships. An addict may become irritable, argumentative, or even violent. For example, they may accuse their partner of cheating or being unfaithful, leading to a strained relationship.
Effects of Substance Abuse on Narcissistic Personality Disorder Symptoms. Substance use can exaggerate some narcissistic personality disorder symptoms, including lack of empathy, feelings of superiority and invincibility, and a sense of grandiosity.
Narcissists with low self-esteem may gain acceptance from others or a sense of security through alcohol consumption or use it as a coping mechanism for dealing with distress.
Narcissistic personality disorder affects more males than females, and it often begins in the teens or early adulthood. Some children may show traits of narcissism, but this is often typical for their age and doesn't mean they'll go on to develop narcissistic personality disorder.
There are significant gender differences when it comes to the prevalence of the disorder; about 75% of people with narcissistic personality disorder are men. The prevalence of narcissistic personality disorder is higher in certain demographics, including: 2–6% of those seeking help from mental health clinics.
Therefore, those with addictive personalities are high in neuroticism and hence choose to engage in riskier behaviors. The theory of addictive personalities agrees that there are two types of people: risk-takers and risk-averse.
A dominant personality involves traits like proactivity, assertiveness, and often, extroversion. Agression and manipulation are also possible.
The root causes of addiction include trauma, mental health struggles, and genetic predisposition. However, it's important to keep in mind that there is no one cause of addiction. No one can completely predict who will become addicted after substance abuse and who will not.
Those who the least friends are introverted feeling types.
Generally, alcoholics seem to have the same kinds of personalities as everybody else, except more so. The first is a low frustration tolerance. Alcoholics seem to experience more distress when enduring long-term dysphoria or when tiresome things do not work out quickly. Alcoholics are more impulsive than most.
While the feeling of reward is healthy, some signs of it moving towards addiction include always wanting more, constantly needing more, continuing despite negative outcomes, an inability to follow rules you have set for yourself, not being able to stop, obsessing, replacing relationships and secrecy.
Personality. Certain personality traits may also influence risk-taking behavior. For example, people who are more impulsive, sensation-seeking, or adventurous are more likely to take risks.