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Alcohol & Autism

NAS63464

Hi all, this is a sensitive subject, so I won't expect a lot of replies. I have issues with alcohol, as it slows me down and helps block my thoughts. I also have ADHD. I'm managing to avoid it but the need is always there.

I've done quite a lot of reading in this area and I've read that substance abuse is common with these conditions, and with SpLDs in general. I mentioned this on one of my, normally friendly, Facebook groups and was slated, called judgemental etc and that my comments were unacceptable. It made me cry and I had to delete the post.

Am I wrong? I really do need to hear the evidence from sufferers.

Thank you,

Alex

  • in reply to .......

    That's not what I asked. Fb to me is a lifeline, especially in current times when we're all isolated. 

  • Facebook is the cuase of evil and hate in the world today - just delete it. It holds its users hostage and deleting facebook sets you free and I would suggest it makes your racing thoughts 1000000 times worse. FACEBOOK IS THE PLATFORM OF EVIL AND HATE. 

  • There have been studies run and some studies do show a bit of a link.

    One such book on the subject is: Asperger Syndrome and Alcohol: Drinking to Cope?

    I have not read this myself but is a book that has been recommended to me by a good friend who has introduced how a few aspects of Asperger's and life co-interact with each other.

    The experience of friends of mine (and my own) is that alcohol can help lessen certain symptoms/feelings in the short term. Alcohol helping to lessen feelings of anxiety is a common theme amongst the autism people I know and love. The day after alcohol for me can sometimes/often be a bit of downer I find. 

    My friends have had a history of having some difficulty with over-reliance of alcohol but nowadays it seems like they (and myself) have each found their own balance as to what works for them largely.

    Someone in my family definitely drinks more than I find comfortable to watch but they've made their choice. Being so close to me, I know they drink for anxiety reasons and it's partly how they've grown to cope with life in their own way.

    I'm sure you know how alcohol can be addictive and can affect both physical and mental health in those who find addiction hard to avoid or overcome.

    I hope some of this has been slightly handy.

  • in reply to Roswell

    Thank you. I'll see if I can find some that's not too expensive. 

  • in reply to NAS63464

    a very scary flower is staring at me :)

  • I have a tip for you Alex. Try eating saffron in a meal every day or drinking saffron tea. Buy a jar of saffron strands and put 6 each day in a cup, then add boiling water, and drink. I started doing this and I lost all cravings for alcohol. I needed alcohol for years, I was an alcoholic, because I had unbearable anxiety and depression, far beyond what most people will ever experience, and the way it interacted with my Autism was too much to take. The saffron is helping me feel I can cope better. In the past I would have reached for alcohol when problems cropped up but now I don't get that feeling.

  • I think it comes down to convenience, it's just easy to obtain and easy to use. 

    But the results of alcohol mean further seclusion and dependency and more importantly long term health issues. 

    I, like you need something to numb the world and forget all relative issues that otherwise suffocate.

    Being outdoors, going to places you enjoy, active hobbies are all better than alcohol. 

  • in reply to aidie

    Thank you. I'm aware of the side effects, which is one of the reasons I've stopped. Plus my reaction to booze has worsened now I'm menopausal, plus it throws my weight right up. Thanks for the advice.

    I'm hoping I'll get more confirmation about the prevalence of drinking with these conditions. Slight smile

  • yes you are, alcohol blocks thoughts. But it blocks all thoughts such as emotions, pain, inhibitions, co-ordination, vision.

    Unfortunately alcohol makes any depression/anxiety worse, and also causes it to begin with

    Alcohol also causes other brain damage, liver danage, gut damage, blood circulation damage, coordination damage.

    basically dont drink alcohol at all. If taking medication it may even interact with it in bad ways.

    alcohol abuse is a common way of self medicating among all mental heath issues and causes massive damage to them.

    it may appear to work and may do for short while, but its completely the wrong response.

    I did it for 30 years.  once I stopped it took my mind about a year to reestablish itself. You see more reality and  more clearly my emotions are working better now. I am never drinking again.

    The main problem with alcohol is it removes the ability to stop drinking so it becomes a problem eventually.

    Even Neurotypicals are doing damage to themselves by drinking its not restricted to us.

    Some people, who have never drank before have been known to go on a drinking binge, immediately get depressed and kill themselves all in one Night.

    I forgot to say ur body builds up a tolerance to ur drink level so you have to drink more and more to get the same effect, This spiral then gets out of control.

    Drinks companies should have to pay for all the Costs in the NHS caused by alcohol