The concept of narcissism introduced by Freud [1] has been further developed by the psychoanalysts Kohut [2] and Kernberg [3] and psychologists most notably Millon [4] leading to the introduction of the diagnostic concept of the narcissistic personality disorder [5]. Current understanding of narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder is excellently reviewed by Yakeley [6]. The narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by personality traits of grandiosity and attention-seeking and significant impairments of personality functioning (e.g. perceive oneself as exceptional, persistent fantasies of success, looking excessively to others for the regulation of self-esteem [7]. Moreover, the narcissistic spectrum model integrates existing theories of narcissism characterizing narcissistic personality by self-importance, grandiosity and vulnerability [8].

Significantly, the basic criteria for substance use disorder [7] suggest parallels between narcissism and drug abuse (cravings to use the substance and tolerance) [9]. Similarly, Rogier and Velotti [10] found that gambling disorder is associated with grandiose narcissism and inability to regulate emotion, but not with vulnerable narcissism. Based on a literature review Laurence defined “narcissism as addiction to esteem, and addiction as a narcissistic pursuit” [11].

From an interdisciplinary, system-oriented point of view narcissism can be defined as organismic self-reference [12]. This concept has been further elaborated [13] [14] and introduced in my models of the psychopathology of mental or affective disorders [15] [16] [17]. The present paper outlines an elementary biosystematic model of narcissistic self-reference and communication, from which addictive behavior in the sense of insatiable narcissism can be deduced.

Ultimately, the narcissistic Ego experiences that indeed spheres, suitable for

satisfaction of these places of desire is available in the environment (Figure 5). This means that non-golden spheres also fit in the “synaptic lock” imitating a golden sphere. Importantly, the experience of the seeming existence of the desired objects causes euphoria. However, sooner or later the narcissistic Ego realizes that the spheres are not golden. Disappointment and depression are the consequence.

To cope with this painful situation and to stay alive, the organization of the place structure of the narcissistic ego transforms by an increased generation of “sphere-places” (Figure 6). In this process, the quality of golden spheres is compensated by the quantity of non-golden spheres. An addictive hunt for euphoria

begins and never ends. In parallel, other types of objects, normally accepted in communication, become rejected. In this fashion, the communication of the addictive narcissistic personality increasingly narrows down to addictive substances. In essence, the spread out of “sphere-places” in the bio systemic model here outlined represents a pseudo satisfaction of the narcissistic desire—destiny becomes addiction.

Whereas a narcissistic person with depression experiences specific or even all domains of reality as inappropriate for the realization of his (her) desires, the addicted narcissist strives for substances, which imitate an appropriate environment. Indeed, these substances fit in the synaptic lock of the material equipment of his (her) brain but cause imbalances of glial-neuronal interactions in tripartite synapses of the brain. The brain reacts with an overproduction of receptors that are suitable for activation by addictive substances [23], but exert no constructive effects since addictive substances do not embody objects of the environment that are really intended by the narcissistic desire.

Basically, the increase of the number of receptors “craves satisfaction” by occupancy with addictive substances. This is the diabolic cycle of addictive behavior responsible for substance tolerance, loss of control and dependence [7]. In other words: the addicted narcissist lives in an illusionary world in danger of perishing from insatiability.

The significance of the biosystematic model of narcissism here proposed lies in the description of elementary structures on which normal and pathological narcissism operate. In general terms, narcissism is total self-reference formally described as a permanent rotating cycle. Maturana characterized living systems as self-referring systems circularly organized to maintain their identity [20]. Here we speak of a normal narcissistic organization [12] [13]. Note that the interactions of a narcissistic system with the environment (objects, subjects) follow exclusively the narcissistic logic of fitting or non-fitting structures shown on diagrams of geometric figures. Therefore, narcissistic systems either accept or reject objects of the environment to realize their desires [21]. This is the rationale of the model proposed that may underly the phenomenology of narcissism.

From this model of narcissistic interactions with objects of the environment, addictive behavior can be deduced. If narcissistic desire cannot be satisfied in the environment by intended objects, the narcissistic person tries to cope with the lack of intended objects by abuse of addictive substances. Though the ideal objects (“golden spheres”) cannot be found in the environment, “non-golden spheres” also fit in the receptor structures of the brain generating euphoria.

The relevance of neuroscience for the investigation of narcissism is reviewed by Di Samo and coworkers focusing on personality neuroscience for the development of a more complete view of narcissism [24]. Experimental investigations indicate upregulation of opioid receptors in response to repeated exposure to cocaine and ethanol, and the resulting opioid receptor upregulation may play an important role in craving [23]. Similarly, chronic nicotine abuse also upregulates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors throughout the brain and leads to nicotine seeking [25]. Together, the increase of receptors in the brain that may underly craving on the behavioral level can be interpreted as pseudo satisfaction of narcissistic desire so that desire becomes addiction.

Finally, it should be mentioned that the biosystematic model proposed outlines elementary mechanisms of narcissism prone to addictive behavior not only in substance abuse but also in intersubjective communication as in addictive use of social media [26] [27]. Narcissists crave affirmation from others like a physical addiction [11]. Admittedly, one may argue that this model is too abstract lacking the explanatory power of psychodynamic mechanisms. However, the more formal description of narcissism may stimulate basic research on addictive communication and on the psychopathology of depression [16].

I am grateful to Christian Streili for designing figures and Marie Motil for preparing the final version of the paper.

The author declares no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Mitterauer, B.J. (2021) Insatiable Narcissism Underlying Addictive Behavior: Outline of a Biosystematic Model. Open Journal of Medical Psychology, 10, 61-69. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojmp.2021.104006