I've been trying to evaluate how narcissistic alcoholics often are....my question is does the alcohol facilitate the narcissistic traits to grow.  My first husband was very narcissistic but he had no addictions.....then the man I spent the last 21 years  (minus 3) with....it seems that the real him deep inside was NOT , but the heavy alcoholism made him that way.  It seems to be so common in heavy alcoholics, that I can't help but wonder ...I don't  "think "  that he would be narcissistic "if" if he hadn't become an alcoholic. ...

THEN....I consider that, perhaps it is narcissism that often leads to alcoholism.

One thing that I feel sure about....is, there definitely seemed to be a difference between the calculated control of my 1st husband who had no addictions. ...and, even though,  there was intensely more insane stuff often going on with my ah and the drinking....I felt like he had a heart and feelings that he covered up with alcohol which would cause him to act overtly heartless and unfeeling on alcohol.  So, how much of these traits are caused "FROM " alcoholism? ..