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Is Your Narcissist an Addict?

Sherile Turner-Myles
4 min readMar 5, 2023

Narcissism and addiction are both complex issues that can have a significant impact on an individual’s life. While not all narcissistic individuals are addicts, research suggests that narcissism may increase the risk of problematic substance use and other forms of addiction.

Photo by Colin Davis on Unsplash

It may come as a surprise to know that many people who struggle with addiction exhibit narcissistic personality traits. These individuals tend to have an inflated sense of self-importance and prioritise their own interests above others. Narcissism is typically characterised by an excessive need for admiration, a sense of entitlement, and a lack of empathy for others.

Unfortunately, these traits can be particularly problematic when it comes to addiction, as they may lead these individuals to believe they are better equipped to handle the effects of drugs and alcohol compared to others. Consequently, narcissists may become trapped in the cycle of addiction.

Here are eight signs that your narcissist may be an addict.

  1. Excessive need for attention and admiration

One of the hallmark traits of narcissism is an excessive need for attention and admiration from others. This can manifest in many ways, including constantly seeking out new sources of validation or becoming upset when others do not give them the attention they feel…

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Sherile Turner-Myles
Sherile Turner-Myles

Written by Sherile Turner-Myles

I write about Covert Narcissism and other Personality Disorders, and how they impact relationships.

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