Why It’s So Important to Consider Narcissism When Treating Persons Living with SUDs
- Building personality into addiction treatment planning
- The inter-relationship between narcissism, antagonism, substance use, and addiction
- A relative dearth of empirical literature, especially treatment literature
Overview of Narcissism and Antagonistic Personality Styles
- DSM-5 and ICD diagnostic frameworks
- The continuum of narcissism
- Subtypes of narcissism
- The ongoing challenges in creating consensus around narcissism and antagonism
Parallel Processes in Addiction and Narcissism
- Denial
- Projection
- Rationalization
- Sense of invulnerability (I can fix anything)
- Impulsivity
- Lack of empathy
The Relationship Between Narcissism and Addiction
- Similar dynamics
- Developmental Trajectories
- Addressing motivations for entering treatment
How to Clinically Work with Clients Experiencing Narcissism and Addiction
- How does narcissism interfere with treatment?
- The Narcissistic Person as a “dry drunk”
- Goal setting with clients experiencing co-occurring addiction and narcissism.
- The challenge of not having RCTs and limited windows with these clients
How Clinicians are Impacted by these Clients
- Not addressed in training or supervision
- Manipulation and triangulation in treatment settings
- Managing expectations and process issues
- Remaining aware of positionality in this work