{"id":1337,"date":"2019-11-29T09:56:06","date_gmt":"2019-11-29T14:56:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/thecelebritytherapist\/?p=1337"},"modified":"2019-11-29T09:56:06","modified_gmt":"2019-11-29T14:56:06","slug":"addict-life-also-narcissist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/thecelebritytherapist\/2019\/11\/addict-life-also-narcissist.html","title":{"rendered":"Is the Addict In Your Life Also a Narcissist?"},"content":{"rendered":"

It is not uncommon to enter into a relationship with someone who seems like Mr. or Mrs. Right during the\u00a0dating<\/a>\u00a0phase only to find out they have an\u00a0addiction<\/a>\u00a0problem once you are married or living together as partners. Unfortunately, many addicts are experts at hiding their addictive behaviors. Addictions to\u00a0pornography<\/a>,\u00a0sex<\/a>, shopping, gambling, and work are much easier to hide from\u00a0dating partners\u00a0than addictions to alcohol or drugs.<\/p>\n

\u00a0However, there is another factor that can occur in people with addictions, and specifically with drug or alcohol addictions. This includes an increased risk for\u00a0personality disorders<\/a>\u00a0in those with alcohol or drug addictions. In a 1993 study published in Comprehensive\u00a0Psychiatry<\/a>, researchers Cor A.J. DeJong et al. found that of 178 alcoholics and 86 drug addicts hospitalized, 78% alcoholics had at least one\u00a0personality<\/a>\u00a0disorder. Within the 86 drug addicts hospitalized, there was a 91% rate of individuals meeting the criteria for at least one personality disorder.<\/div>\n
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The Link<\/strong><\/div>\n

Interestingly, a 2017 study on the combination of smartphone use,\u00a0addictions and narcissism\u00a0found that of 256 smartphone users, 13.3% self-reported as addicted to their device, and they had a higher narcissism score than those participating in the study without an addiction. Similar results were also found in a September 2017 article in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions titled, “An Investigation into Problematic Smartphone Use: The Role of Narcissism,\u00a0Anxiety<\/a>\u00a0and Personality Factors.” In this study, 640 smartphone users were asked to respond to a modified survey using the criteria based on the DSM-5 Internet Gaming Disorder, with the same link between addition and narcissism reported.<\/p>\n

\u00a0In traditional types of addiction recovery programs, it is not unusual to find people that meet the criteria for\u00a0Narcissistic Personality Disorder<\/a>\u00a0NPD, even though they may never have been diagnosed.<\/div>\n

While this may seem confusing as narcissists seem to be in full control, the risk of addiction is based on the underlying factors of narcissism. What appears to be arrogance, superiority,\u00a0self-control<\/a>\u00a0and focus on self is really a sign of deep, underlying insecurity. Narcissists are very emotionally fragile and can have extreme reactions to any type of negative criticism. They have to continually be seen at the center of\u00a0attention<\/a>\u00a0and to deny that anyone is equal or better.<\/p>\n

\u00a0This internal\u00a0stress<\/a>\u00a0creates an increased risk for the development of an addiction. Many of the people I work with as a recovery coach and psychotherapist are struggling to understand the behaviors of their partners. As a general list, your partner may be both addicted and be a\u00a0narcissist<\/a>\u00a0if:<\/div>\n