I don't think it's a conscious thought, so he doesn't have to disguise it, per say. He has so many layers of cope and mental gymnastics I don't think he realizes most of what's happening to him. To be fair most of us are guided by unconscious thought (which is why good habits are so important bros) but he is on another level entirely. However, for as dumb and narcissistic and sheltered he is, reality does seep in sometimes. The narcissistic collapse is that reality seeping in, to my understanding.
I think he is fearful watching his income fall steadily, as it has for years, but now to a point where it's impacting his enjoyment of his vices. I also think Kino/Asmon absolutely wrecked him mentally, as for the longest time he said that if someone just gave him a platform to stand above the detractor narratives then he would be a smash hit. I think the reality that it's him is slowly seeping in, or just becoming impossible to drown out. But it will manifest as these crashouts and more drinking, I don't think he has to hide it intentionally because the narcissism does that by default.