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What Is Terminal Uniqueness, and Do I Have It?

10 Signs of Doctor Shopping in Your Loved One
 
The recovery community has its own code of ethics, social norms, and even its own language. 

There are even terms and phrases used during treatment that are specific to recovery. One of those phrases is ‘terminal uniqueness,’ and if you are familiar with recovery, you may have been cautioned against this thinking. If not, you may be wondering, “What is terminal uniqueness, and do I have it?” 

Terminal Uniqueness Definition  

Terminal uniqueness  - also referred to as personal exceptionalism and terminal entitlement syndrome - is the belief that the situation a person is facing is somehow completely different from the situations others have experienced. When applied to addiction or addiction recovery, people with terminal uniqueness believe that no one else has ever encountered what they’re facing, and therefore, no one can understand what they’re going through.  

Unfortunately, this is a common problem among many people with substance use disorders, as they often want to think that they are somehow different – or unique – from other people with addiction and substance abuse problems. Terminal uniqueness may lead you to believe that other addicts are unable to relate to you or even make you believe you’re better than them. The history of ‘terminally unique’ comes from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and is often referenced in 12-step meetings as a belief or state of mind that recovering addicts should avoid. 

Additionally, while everyone is different and addiction may affect people differently, for the most part, addicts tend to have more things in common than they realize. However, those who are terminally unique may not be willing to accept this fact. Instead of recognizing how similar they are, these individuals focus on the differences and often exaggerate them in their heads. This type of thinking can be damaging to their personal relationships as well as dangerous for their sobriety. 

Signs of Terminal Uniqueness 

Defining terminal uniqueness may be easy, but recognizing the signs of personal exceptionalism in someone you care about or especially in yourself is more challenging. We all want to believe that we are unique, but it can be difficult to determine when this way of thinking has become toxic and detrimental. 

Signs you may be “terminally unique” in addiction recovery include: 

  • Constantly trying to prove that other people are different from you 
  • Demanding special requirements 
  • Feeling like no one can relate to you 
  • Feeling superior to those around you 
  • Frequently comparing yourself to others 
  • Manipulative personality  
  • Needing more attention than others 
  • One-upping others 
  • Overgeneralizing 
  • The belief that your way of dealing with the situation is the only right way 
  • Thinking poorly of or judging others for the same behaviors you’ve engaged in 
  • Thinking the rules do not apply to you 

Not only are these symptoms of terminal uniqueness unappealing to others, but they can also hinder and even destroy a person’s recovery journey. Holding onto this mentality and acting this way can also prevent you from making strong relationships with others in the recovery community who would otherwise support you in your journey to sobriety. 

The Difference Between Personal Exceptionalism & Narcissism 

Understandably, terminal uniqueness and narcissism are often compared. Narcissism is an inflated sense of self-worth or admiration for oneself. In psychology, narcissism is also marked by characteristics like selfishness, a sense of entitlement, a lack of empathy, and a need for admiration. While many people can act narcissistic at times, an individual likely has narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) when this type of narcissistic behavior is severe or routine. 

Signs of narcissistic personality disorder include: 

  • Attention-seeking behavior 
  • Believing that they are unique or special 
  • Disregarding other people’s feelings or needs 
  • An exaggerated sense of self-importance 
  • Excessive desire for praise 
  • Idyllic fantasies about themselves 
  • Obsession with personal appearance 
  • Sense of entitlement 
  • Thinking they are better than others 

People with narcissistic personality disorder often struggle with their personal relationships, but mental health treatment can help. 

While personal exceptionalism and narcissistic personality disorder are similar in many ways, they also have some important differences. Those who have narcissistic personality disorder and a substance abuse problem will usually struggle with terminal uniqueness, but terminal uniqueness is specific to individuals with substance use disorders.  

Narcissism is also associated with a grandiose sense of self-importance, whereas terminal uniqueness can take two separate paths. Personal exceptionalism is the idea that people are unique and may lead some people to feel superior over others while other people may feel inferior to others. In terms of addiction specifically, people who are terminally unique may believe that their drug or alcohol problems aren’t nearly as bad as their peers, or they could also believe that their problems are far worse than their peers’ problems and they require special treatment. 

The Dangers of Terminal Uniqueness in Addiction Recovery 

Terminal uniqueness is a dangerous way of thinking that has the potential to interfere with the recovery process in various ways. Our Pompano Beach drug rehab looks to recognize terminal uniqueness in its earliest stages so that the damages and setbacks can be avoided. 

Some of the dangers of terminal uniqueness in recovery include: 

  • Denial about the severity of his or her problem 
  • Doubting the treatment process
  • False sense of security 
  • Feelings of isolation and loneliness 
  • Lack of support from peers 
  • Not getting help when needed 
  • Not taking responsibility for actions 
  • Refusing to listen to peers or accept their advice 
  • Relapse 
  • Having trouble with personal relationships 

One of the biggest dangers of personal exceptionalism in recovery is relapse. Along with lacking a strong support network and not fully giving in to the drug or alcohol treatment process, people who think that they are an exception to the way the disease of addiction works, despite having experienced the consequences before, are more likely to return to drugs and alcohol. They falsely believe that they will be able to control it this time, but they inevitably end up in the same – or worse – situation as before.  

Those who do end up relapsing may also take longer to recognize that they have a problem again and get the necessary relapse recovery treatment they need to get back on track. If an addict or alcoholic is unwilling to take advantage of the treatments or addiction therapy programs offered because they are convinced that they are an exception to the rule, then they are likely terminally unique. This view of treatment, as well as their interactions with peers, will hinder their recovery process.  

Recover From Terminal Uniqueness & Addiction at Banyan  

Our Broward County drug rehab helps those with terminal uniqueness change their way of thinking. We educate all our patients on the various dangers and temptations that could occur in recovery to prepare them for life after rehab. We also implement individual and group therapy efforts to build a community of support and empower our patients to find lasting sobriety. 

If you or a loved one is struggling with drug or alcohol abuse or have recently experienced a relapse, help is available. Call Banyan Treatment Centers today at 888-280-4763 or send us your contact information to find out how our Broward County substance abuse programs and mental health services can help. 

 

Related Reading:  

Admitting Addiction: The First Step in Recovery 

How to Handle Unsupportive Family in Recovery 

Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing
Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing
Alyssa is the National Director of Digital Marketing and is responsible for a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. All articles have been written by Alyssa and medically reviewed by our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Darrin Mangiacarne.