Narcissism, Substance Abuse, and Reckless Behaviours

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 by: Sam Vaknin

Pathological narcissism is an addiction to Narcissistic
Supply, the narcissist's drug of choice. It is, therefore, not
surprising that other addictive and reckless behaviours – workaholism,
alcoholism, drug abuse, pathological gambling, compulsory shopping, or
reckless driving – piggyback on this primary dependence.

The narcissist – like other types of addicts – derives
pleasure from these exploits. But they also sustain and enhance his
grandiose fantasies as "unique", "superior", "entitled", and "chosen".
They place him above the laws and pressures of the mundane and away
from the humiliating and sobering demands of reality. They render him
the centre of attention – but also place him in "splendid isolation"
from the madding and inferior crowd.

Such compulsory and wild pursuits provide a
psychological exoskeleton. They are a substitute to quotidian
existence. They afford the narcissist with an agenda, with timetables,
goals, and faux achievements. The narcissist – the adrenaline junkie –
feels that he is in control, alert, excited, and vital. He does not
regard his condition as dependence. The narcissist firmly believes that
he is in charge of his addiction, that he can quit at will and on short
notice.

The narcissist denies his cravings for fear of "losing
face" and subverting the flawless, perfect, immaculate, and omnipotent
image he projects. When caught red handed, the narcissist
underestimates, rationalises, or intellectualises his addictive and
reckless behaviours – converting them into an integral part of his
grandiose and fantastic False Self.

Thus, a drug abusing narcissist may claim to be
conducting first hand research for the benefit of humanity – or that
his substance abuse results in enhanced creativity and productivity.
The dependence of some narcissists becomes a way of life: busy
corporate executives, race car drivers, or professional gamblers come
to mind.

The narcissist's addictive behaviours take his mind off
his inherent limitations, inevitable failures, painful and much-feared
rejections, and the Grandiosity Gap – the abyss between the image he
projects (the False Self) and the injurious truth. They relieve his
anxiety and resolve the tension between his unrealistic expectations
and inflated self-image – and his incommensurate achievements,
position, status, recognition, intelligence, wealth, and physique.

Thus, there is no point in treating the dependence and
recklessness of the narcissist without first treating the underlying
personality disorder. The narcissist's addictions serve deeply
ingrained emotional needs. They intermesh seamlessly with the
pathological structure of his disorganised personality, with his
character faults, and primitive defence mechanisms.

Techniques such as "12 steps" may prove more efficacious
in treating the narcissist's grandiosity, rigidity, sense of
entitlement, exploitativeness, and lack of empathy. This is because –
as opposed to traditional treatment modalities – the emphasis is on
tackling the narcissist's psychological makeup, rather than on
behaviour modification.

The narcissist's overwhelming need to feel omnipotent
and superior can be co-opted in the therapeutic process. Overcoming an
addictive behaviour can be – truthfully – presented by the therapist as
a rare and impressive feat, worthy of the narcissist's unique mettle.

Narcissists fall for these transparent pitches
surprisingly often. But this approach can backfire. Should the
narcissist relapse – an almost certain occurrence – he will feel
ashamed to admit his fallibility, need for emotional sustenance, and
impotence. He is likely to avoid treatment altogether and convince
himself that now, having succeeded once to get rid of his addiction, he
is self-sufficient and omniscient.

First published in my

"Narcissistic Personality Disorder"

Topic Page on Suite 101

About the Author

Sam Vaknin is the author of Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited and After the Rain - How the West Lost the East. He is a columnist for Central Europe Review, PopMatters, and eBookWeb , a United Press International (UPI) Senior Business Correspondent, and the editor of mental health and Central East Europe categories in The Open Directory Bellaonline, and Suite101 .

Until recently, he served as the Economic Advisor to the Government of Macedonia.

Visit Sam's Web site at http://samvak.tripod.com

palma@unet.com.mk

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