Table 1.

Summary of the reviewed literature on Dark Triad traits in relation to substance use and addictive behaviors.

	Narcissism	Machiavellianism	Psychopathy
Central characteristics	Self-importance and entitlement	Instrumental and manipulative behavior	Interpersonal–affective and antisocial–deviant traits
Primary broad trait	Antagonism	Antagonism	Antagonism
Secondary broad trait	Extraversion (grandiose)/neuroticism (vulnerable)	Unclear	Disinhibition (low conscientiousness)
Associations with substance use	+	∼	++
Motives for substance use	Regulation of self-esteem (grandiose and vulnerable), negative affect reduction (vulnerable)	Unclear	Stimulation seeking
Associations with substance use disorder	∼	Unclear	++
Associations with non-substance-related addictive behavior	++ (Robust evidence for problematic social media use)	Unclear	+ (Evidence for internet use and gambling)

“+” indicates evidence for positive association, “++” strong evidence for positive association, “∼” no evidence for association.