Narcissism and Cocaine Abuse

A1989 study from the University of Iowa, by William R Yates and others finds that cocaine users are more likely than the general population, including alcoholics to have a narcissistic personality type, with around 80% of cocaine users having Cluster B personality disorders that include the hysteric, the narcissistic, anti social and borderline personality types.

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Since the Iowa study, the use of cocaine throughout all levels of society has become more prevalent, Many people use and abuse cocaine, thinking that they are in control of their use of this drug. Cocaine is a powerful stimulant anesthetic that creates feelings of euphoria. Cocaine makes people feel like winners, high achievers, socially competent and effective. Although cocaine will provide the stimulus for an increased burst of energy when needed – there is no evidence that using cocaine improves concentration or cognitive ability, or enhances social interaction.

It is feelings of omnipotence and euphoria that narcissism needs. Narcissism is a misunderstood condition, in that most people think of narcissists are being pompous, big headed and very full of themselves, very egotistical. In fact, for the narcissist, the opposite is true – narcissists feel deep down that they are inadequate, unworthy, shameful – a nobody. Narcissism therefore reaches out to get feelings of self esteem from the environment – the narcissist gets his supply of self esteem by attaching himself to powerful images, people, and the trappings of external success.

When the narcissist flaunts his “powerful connections” it is because without them he would feel devastatingly impotent, if not suicidal. The drivers of narcissism are feelings of inadequacy, shame and depression, the depth of which are compensated for by extremely grandiose acting out. What is called narcissism today used to be called an inferiority complex.

Whereas narcissists like to be in places of power and control, they are also intensely fearful of performance and potential failure. Rage against disappointment, and blaming other people for failure is the defense of the narcissist. If total failure of external narcissistic support occurs, a narcissist can rapidly become ashamed and depressed, contemplate suicide.

We all face pressures in life, to meet “must do” expectations that we have of ourselves. For the narcissist it is almost a matter of life and death that he meets all expectations, and maintains his perfect “image”.

To meet deadlines, schedules, to perform tasks, we all can be tempted to use substances to help us to perform and keep up our image, to overcome life’s hurdles. In the workplace, in sport, in social circles it is all about meeting expectations, being successful and “winning”.

Of the drugs that we use to enhance performance and our self image, cocaine is attractive to the narcissist because it so completely provides feelings of euphoria and power, the perfect antidote to his inner feelings of incompetence and inadequacy.

When we must do this and we must do that – our business and social lives can become bound up with duty and obligations – a need to shine and glow - in circumstances that we really experience as being tedious, dull and boring – essentially depressive. Other”must do” situations might provoke anxiety – we might feel under pressure, unable to meet workplace or social expectations, feel incompetent, inferior or inadequate. But, for people immersed in a culture of materialism and performance – success means that the show has to go on.

People such as narcissists who have a strong need to meet personal and social expectations, can’t bear to feel loss, failure or rejection often seek out drugs with a performance enhancing reputation – and some will use cocaine.

Cocaine brings a sense of fulfillment, feelings of satisfaction, regardless of actual performance. When cocaine becomes addictive, it is not unusual for people to hit up on cocaine continuously, without sleep or food.

Cocaine withdrawal is known for letting people down, from a cocaine “high”, to the cocaine “crash“. When the cocaine user stops – they might be sleepless, yet apathetic, severely depressed or anxious and paranoid.

Alcohol, cannabis and benzodiazapine sleep medications are commonly used to moderate cocaine crash effects. Using drugs in combination brings additional risks and problems.

In combination with alcohol, a chemical cocathylene is synergised from cocaine that enhances euphoric effects, and increases the risk of heart failure.

Although wannabes, high achievers and narcissists find an answer to their achievement needs by the use of cocaine, the stress and downside of cocaine use is ultimately destructive. As the cocaine addict becomes more focused on getting and using cocaine, addicts give up working, alternative pleasure seeking, lose money, assets, relationships. The more cocaine is used and relied upon – so the cost gets higher.

So, why do we use cocaine when we can see that it is destroying us. When cocaine use is compulsive, we use cocaine to give us the drive to avoid and overcome feelings of inadequacy and potential failure. Eventually our preoccupation with cocaine use makes us unable to cope with the demands of life.

Narcissists are particularly vulnerable to and attracted to cocaine for the good feelings and euphoria, and are particularly vulnerable to the effects of cocaine induced depression – the crash of cocaine withdrawal. Cocaine inhibits production of the feel good chemicals in the brain for a time after cocaine withdrawal.

People who have ego strength and self esteem can get through cocaine withdrawal but narcissists who rely entirely on an external supply of positive feedback to support an extremely fragile ego, are particularly vulnerable to suicidal depression, failure to eat or self nurture.

Incapable of rousing themselves without external support, using cocaine to regain positive equilibrium is perhaps the only presenting option for the narcissist who is using cocaine. The more we lack good self esteem, the more tempted we are by cocaine.

Anyone using cocaine, is in need of professional help to restore a positive self esteem, and overcome cocaine use and dependence.