Bush's NPD and drinking problem are intertwined.

[Writer]

Per the Enquirer article, it doesn't surprise me one iota that Bush "doesn't believe in therapy" to have better handled his recovery.

The primary problem is not that Bush drinks, it's that Bush is a narcissist who hates himself. He hit the bottle decades ago because it's a typically destructive habit for someone with NPD. Further, he doesn't believe in therapy because, frankly, Bush didn't want to go through the process of introspection that therapy demands and likely thinks he's superhuman - that he can kick the habit without typical treatment.

Further, the quote that Bush has taken the loss of every American soldier in Iraq "personally" probably is a reference to their deaths being a sign of his failures as a president. He can't handle dealing with the fact that he is failing, so back to the bottle he went. Or cocaine, if that's a possibility. A narcissist self-destructs when faced with his own shortcomings.

Here are some links discussing this:

http://www.angelfire.com/ego/narcissism/comor.html

http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/7-1-2003-42409.asp

[Dr Fate]

1. What is NPD?

???

[flamingyouth]

2. Noxious Personality Disorder?

:shrug:

[MsUnderstood]

3. narcisstic personality disorder?

I live with a therapist--maybe that is it?

[Writer]

4. NPD is Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

Here is the description per the DSM-IV:

A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

(1) has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)

(2) is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

(3) believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)

(4) requires excessive admiration

(5) has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations

(6) is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends

(7) lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others

(8) is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her

(9) shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

http://www.mental-health-today.com/narcissistic/dsm.htm

[Vincardog]

5. Bet it is Narcissist Personality Disorder?

[DoYouEverWonder]

6. More likely prescription meds these days

that way if he gets caught, it wasn't 'illegal'. That's how they all justify their drug use anyway. Oh yeah, the doctor prescribed it.