Why does leaving a narcissist feel like withdrawal? Dark triad researcher Dr. Daniel Jones explains his "social cocaine" theory: how a narcissist's artificial charm and grandiosity create a rush that can leave you craving the highs, even after the abuse begins. It's a drug you never consented to, and it can happen to anyone.
In this episode of the Restoring Resilience Podcast, Chelsey and Dr. Jones unpack the differences between narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism, how manipulation escalates in stages, and why Machiavellian partners can go undetected for years. They also explore emophilia (the tendency to fall in love fast and often), why early butterflies can be a misleading signal, and practical steps for detoxing from a toxic relationship, including Dr. Jones's CBR method: Cool, Bottom line, Rational.
Most of all, this conversation is a reminder: it's not your fault, and you are stronger than you were before.
ABOUT DR. DANIEL
Daniel N. Jones is a Professor of Management at the University of Nevada Reno (UNR). He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and chapters and earned the Early Career Award from the Western Psychological Association. His research focuses on the differentiation of the Dark Triad (Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism) and Dark Tetrad (Dark Triad + sadism) of personality (visit: www.darktriad.co). His recent book, "Falling Fast: The Perils and Possibilities of Emophilia," discusses the propensity to fall in love easily and is readily available at Oxford University Press and Amazon.
CONNECT WITH DR. DANIEL
Research Website: darktriad.co
Consulting Website: danielnjones.org
Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Falling-Fast-Perils-Possibilities-Emophilia/dp/0190612584
TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4TVV6_2K2M
ABOUT CHELSEY
Chelsey Brooke Cole is a licensed psychotherapist and Certified Partner Trauma Therapist helping you learn to trust yourself again after narcissistic abuse. She is the bestselling author of If Only I'd Known! and host of the Restoring Resilience podcast. Her work has been featured in USA Today, HuffPost, Psychology Today, and other media outlets.
For those looking for deeper support, Chelsey works with survivors through 1:1 therapy and Rewired for Resilience: Reclaiming Yourself After Narcissistic Abuse. The program offers a structured healing process with direct access to Chelsey, weekly support groups, and ongoing community support. Visit www.chelseybrookecole.com to learn more about working with Chelsey, Rewired for Resilience, and her other resources.
Chelsey's Resources
If this episode resonated with you, here are a few ways to go deeper:
Free Masterclass: The Narcissist's Playbook
Understand the exact patterns narcissists use—and why it's so hard to see clearly when you're in it
👉 https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/the-narcissists-playbook/
Free Quizzes: Is It Narcissistic Abuse? Not sure what you're dealing with? Take a free 2-minute quiz to get clarity now
👉 https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/quizzes/
Rewired for Resilience (Healing Program)
Go beyond awareness and start rebuilding self-trust, emotional safety, and clarity from the inside out
👉 https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/rewired-for-resilience/
Read the First Chapter of My Book (Free)
👉 https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/firstchapterfree/
Website
👉 https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/
Chapters
(0:00) Intro & The Dark Triad Explained
(8:50) Identifying Narcissists in the Real World
(12:25) Sequential Manipulation & Patterns
(15:51) Machiavellian Disguise & Rationalizations
(20:48) "Social Cocaine" & Brain Chemistry
(23:28) Emophilia & Predispositions
(37:37) Red Flags vs. Butterflies — Detox Advice
(39:08) Restoring Resilience & Closing