The Relationship Between Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) and Addiction

The iconic American artist Kevyn Aucoin famously said, “Today I choose life. Every morning when I wake up I can choose joy, happiness, negativity, pain.… To feel the freedom that comes from being able to continue to make mistakes and choices – today I choose to feel life, not to deny my humanity but embrace it.” Unfortunately, many people who struggle with mental illness and addiction cannot relate to this sentiment. This is because they are struggling with untreated diseases like narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), alcohol use disorder (AUD), and substance use disorder (SUD). However, the good news is that there is a solution. There are many effective means, methods, and modalities that can help one to recover.

The Importance of Individualized and Comprehensive Mental Health and Addiction Care

The reality of the world right now is that the mental health and addiction recovery industry is going through a boom. It is now a multi-billion-dollar industry, and with that comes promise and peril. There are many more places where people can get the effective help that they need, but there are also many places that are just looking to cash in on an opportunity.

These are the types of recovery centers that do not take their clients’ individual needs into account. They often only offer overarching “one-note” recovery plans that don’t utilize comprehensive care. These facilities are primarily looking to check boxes to get an insurance check. It’s sad, but it’s also reality.

Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we know that this type of recovery rarely works. This is not the way to heal at the cellular level (which is the only way to find long-term success). The key is to focus on the individual. What are their specific needs? How can they best recover? This starts with an intensive intake process and continues long after they leave our recovery center with aftercare programs.

Better Understanding Addiction

Addiction affects millions of people every day. This is true both in the United States and around the globe. It is estimated that nearly 300 million people struggle with addiction worldwide. That is a huge percentage, considering the total population. Yet, many of these people will never get the help that they so desperately need. Many people don’t receive the help they need because they are pushed away from recovery by stigma.

Stigma is a very real barrier to recovery. The main stigma surrounding addiction and recovery has to do with language and judgment. This is because many people blame the person struggling with addiction. They treat them as though they have some type of moral failing or like they made a “choice” to become addicted. This is simply untrue. Addiction is a disease, and that’s the language that should be used. It is widely agreed upon in most medical circles that addiction has more in common with other chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes than it does with a “choice.”

It is also important to understand that addiction is a “family disease.” According to the peer-reviewed journal BMC Psychiatry, “Addiction is one of the biggest social problems that the current world is facing. It is a problem that does not only involve the drug user but also affects several individuals and social environments around the person. Studies have shown that the impacts of drug and alcohol use on families are undeniable and exposes family members to a wide range of issues such as: socio-economic and mental health problems, abuse, conflicts, dysfunctional family structure, various issues in community life, and several problems related to married life.” Similar issues happen with mental illness.

Better Understanding Mental Illness

Millions of people also struggle with mental illness every day. It is thought that nearly a billion people struggle with mental illness in any given year. This just goes to show how serious a disease mental illness is — and, yes, like addiction, it is a disease.

Mental illness also stops people from living their everyday lives. This is why it is important to distinguish common emotions from mental illness. For example, it is normal to feel depressed from time to time. It’s okay to get sad. However, clinical depression stops people from healthily engaging in their lives. These are the differences that need to be noted. It is also true that many people who struggle with mental illness also struggle with co-occurring addictions (also known as comorbidities).

Better Understanding Co-Occurring Disorders of Addiction and Mental Illness

It is very common for people struggling with co-occurring disorders of mental illness and addiction to get underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. This is because many of the signs and symptoms of mental illness are the same as those of addiction.

For example, if someone is struggling with clinical depression and SUD, a doctor may only diagnose SUD. This is because depression is a common symptom of SUD. Perhaps another individual with the same issues will only get diagnosed as having depression. This is most likely because the doctor is unaware of the level at which the individual is “self-medicating” with substances.

This is also why it is so important to connect with medical and addiction professionals who are trained in dual diagnosis. These professionals will be able to distinguish the correct signs and symptoms of both addiction and mental illness.

The Signs and Symptoms of Addiction and Mental Illness

Now, the signs and symptoms of mental illness and addiction (also co-occurring disorders) are always going to vary based on the individual. However, one can look out for many universal signs and symptoms of these diseases. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:

• Exhibiting excessive mood swings
• Isolating away from family and close friends
• Experiencing trouble at work or school
• Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
• Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
• Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness
• Not being able to stop once starting to drink
• Experiencing physical ailments such as headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
• Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly “stressed out”
• Loss of appetite and a lack of care regarding physical appearance and well-being
• Engaging in risky behaviors
• Causing harm to oneself or others
• Having suicidal ideations

Now, as one can see, these signs and symptoms are significant and can even be deadly. This is why reaching out for professional help as soon as possible is vital. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences. This is also true with mental illnesses like narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).

What Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)?

So, what exactly is NPD? According to the peer-reviewed thesis Narcissistic Personality Disorder, by Doctors Mitra, Torrico, and Fluyau, “Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, a need for admiration, a lack of empathy, and a heightened sense of self-importance. Individuals with NPD may present to others as boastful, arrogant, or even unlikable. NPD is a pattern of behavior persisting over a long period and through a variety of situations or social contexts and can result in significant impairment in social and occupational functioning,” and “NPD is often comorbid with other psychiatric illnesses, which may further worsen independent functioning.”

There are also many devastating characteristics of NPD. According to the peer-reviewed journal Behavioral Medicine (Washington, D.C.), “Individuals with NPD experience significant physical and mental health comorbidities and social problems…. Core features of NPD that contribute to these mental health comorbidities include a higher frequency of experiencing shame, helplessness, self-directed anger, higher admiration of self, and impulsivity. NPD is a significant predictor of (a) making multiple suicide attempts, (b) using lethal means to attempt suicide, and (c) making suicide attempts in proximal relationship to being fired or experiencing domestic, financial, or health-related problems.”

Exploring the Link Between Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) and Substance Use

As with other instances of co-occurring mental health and addiction issues, people with NPD often struggle with substance use. This is often because they are trying to “self-medicate” for the symptoms of their mental illness.

Also, people with NPD tend to feel like they are above becoming addicted to substances. This is the gradiosity aspect of the disease. This, of course, is false and ultimately leads to addiction. Many people with NPD also wait far too long to get help for their addiction. Again, this is often because they don’t believe that they have a problem. 

This is why it is so important for loved ones to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of addiction in people with NPD. Being aware of these symptoms can help get someone the help they need before it’s too late. The good news is that there are many effective treatments for people with NPD and addiction.

How to Best Treat Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)

The best way to treat NPD and addiction is via a multi-angled approach. This means using as many means, methods, and modalities as possible for long-term recovery. The best approach is also to take modalities from all of the various realms of recovery. This means utilizing traditional “evidence-based” treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

It also means using effective types of experiential therapies like nature immersion therapy, surf therapy, and horticulture therapy. These modalities can help one connect to the earth while beginning to reconnect to their real self. Many holistic healing methods can be highly effective.

Utilizing Holistic Healing Methods

There are many effective holistic healing methods that can help one recover from NPD at the cellular level. This includes holistic healing methods like acupuncture, massage therapy, yoga therapy, and mindfulness meditation. These holistic modalities can also be highly effective when used together.

Holistic modalities can offer a myriad of benefits. These benefits can be physical, emotional, mental, and even spiritual. The following are just a few of those benefits:

• Acquiring a better sense of self
• Finding a better sense of mental balance and clarity
• Helping one connect with others and heal relationships
• Increased positivity and wellness
• Improved breathing
• Better strength and posture
• A greater focus on mindfulness
• Creates empathy
• Connects individuals with new, relatable people
• Encourages spirituality
• Reduces anxiety and depression
• Can help individuals who struggle with suicidal ideations

As one can see, these benefits are vast and varied. These modalities also work very well with other types of treatment, making them even more valuable to individuals who are seeking a more comprehensive plan of action. The key is finding the right types of treatments that work together and sticking to them. It is also important to know which treatments aren’t working so they can be eliminated from a recovery plan.

The Benefits of Nutrition Therapy

Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we have a maxim: “Food is medicine.” That is why we have some of the best nutritionists and dieticians on staff. We even have our licensed naturopath doctor on-site for any questions or concerns.

We also believe that food should be satisfying and fun. That is why we have world-class chefs preparing all of our meals, using only local and organic ingredients. As Hippocrates famously said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”

The Benefits of Recovery Meetings

For people with NPD and addiction, one of the best things they can do is start to build healthy and genuine relationships. A great place to make this happen is in 12-Step recovery. This is a program that can help one begin to be open and honest about their feelings while also learning to help others.

Recovery meetings are a great way to engage with a healthy community while also learning accountability. This can really be bolstered by the sponsor/sponsee relationship. This is the type of bond that many people with untreated NPD avoid because it can make them feel uncomfortable. But, in recovery, this discomfort can dissipate. Working with other people in recovery is also a great way to avoid a potential relapse. It is said that working with other people is one of the best ways to avoid a relapse.

In the primary text of 12-Step recovery (commonly referred to as the Big Book), the chapter “Working With Others” states, “Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking [and using] as intensive work with other [people in recovery]. It works when other activities fail… You can help when no one else can.” This is the type of life’s purpose that can be critical to recovery for someone with NPD and addiction.

What Does It Mean to Heal at the Cellular Level?

Healing at the cellular level is all about healing holistically (holistic meaning “whole”). It means healing all aspects of oneself. Yes, it means healing physically. But it also means healing mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually.

It also means getting to the root/core causes of one’s issues. After all, NPD and addiction are not surface-level. They happen deep down, and that is what needs to be addressed. The good news is that, with Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, all of those issues will be addressed and more.

Healing at the Cellular Level With Exclusive Hawaii Rehab

Kevyn Aucoin also said, “Fear is the most debilitating emotion in the world, and it can keep you from ever truly knowing yourself and others – its adverse effects can no longer be overlooked or underestimated. Fear breeds hatred, and hatred has the power to destroy everything in its path.” With effective recovery, there is no need to be afraid anymore. There is hope.

At Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” That is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future.

Don’t let NPD and addiction win. The time to recover is now. You got this! We can help.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) features patterns of grandiosity and a need for admiration, often leading to substance use as a coping mechanism. Individuals with NPD may engage in addictive behaviors to escape feelings of inadequacy or to maintain their self-image, impacting their overall well-being and recovery efforts. The good news is that there is hope and help. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of mental illness, addiction, or both, we can help get you on the positive path toward long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), please reach out to Exclusive Hawaii Rehab today at (808) 775-0200.