Alcoholism and autism?

I have only recently been diagnosed in my mid-50's last year so still coming to terms with it. But it has become obvious I use drink to cope with the stress of social situations and to cope with depression. So now I am considering carefully better ways to deal with these problems, but this is work in progress! I did mitigate by saying that "I would only drink when I had company and not by myself", but that I now think may not best thinking? When things are a bit more back to normal I will want to try other ways of dealing with these stresses?

yes once u drink any alcohol that switches your dependency back on. When you stop drinking you must never drink again no matter what.

That's not true for everyone.

Yes. And your position is also only a personal opinion. Are you just looking for an argument? I'm very puzzled by your attitude. You seem to be simply responding aggressively with soundbites and ignoring every single point I raise?

Bean said:

I agree. Which is why I've been clear that this is my personal experience and opinion only.

"So my opinion - and it's just an opinion"

If you're arguing that abstinence is the only effective model for addressing alcohol addiction in every circumstance, then the onus is upon you to support that proposition with evidence. 

You seem to be ignoring every point I've raised without any discussion. Is there a reason for that?

please provide your evidence backed with good science studies. 

As I said, there's a shift away gradually taking place. That correlates with my experience and the experience of others, along with many professionals. The absence of large studies at this stage proves nothing. However, there's also no proof that abstinence is the only effective model, so that's a non-argument anyway.

I have direct, personal experience of a partner who's successfully returned to social drinking for 18 months after 13 years of alcoholism. The approach we took between us up address it 100% worked - and worked quickly and effectively. That model obviously won't be right for everyone, and probably not for the majority even. But it was obviously right for her, and worked. So if you want to insist that abstinence is the only model for alcohol recovery for every individual, you are demonstrably wrong.

from the link u sent

"The sample size used in the study also leaves something to be desired and I would hope that further research would examine these effects with a bigger cohort and a more variable participant group."

Here's an expert's opinion for you from Psychology Today. 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/all-about-addiction/201103/abstinence-is-not-the-only-option

There's a shift away from total abstinence as the only option gradually taking place. It's one of those received wisdoms that's been largely accepted without critical challenge - a bit like the AA model as the best recovery path, when it's clearly inappropriate for many.

As I said though, if total abstinence works for you personally, then it's absolutely the right thing to stick to that. A return to moderate, social drinking is always going to be more challenging and only appropriate for a minority of alcoholics or problem drinkers.

You can stick with whatever advice works for you. However, it runs directly contrary to my personal experience, and the addiction specialists that I've dealt with recognised that a return to social drinking is possible for some.

If we accept that there's a genetic predisposition towards alcoholism, then it makes sense that for those people total abstinence is necessary. However, it's perfectly possible to develop a physical dependency without any predisposition. If I went out and started drinking at problem levels, I'd develop an addiction without any predisposition. So for such people, it would make sense that they're able to return to social drinking. It's important to acknowledge this, because without doing so there is no broad range of solutions tailored to fit individual needs, and many will be left without support models that work for them.

according to my addiction doctors (when i used them) it was, and anything else is denial. They dealt with 100s of alcoholics/other  each week so I think I'll stick with their advice. 

according to my addiction doctors (when i used them) it was, and anything else is denial. They dealt with 100s of alcoholics/other  each week so I think I'll stick with their advice. 

Yes. And your position is also only a personal opinion. Are you just looking for an argument? I'm very puzzled by your attitude. You seem to be simply responding aggressively with soundbites and ignoring every single point I raise?

Bean said:

I agree. Which is why I've been clear that this is my personal experience and opinion only.

"So my opinion - and it's just an opinion"

If you're arguing that abstinence is the only effective model for addressing alcohol addiction in every circumstance, then the onus is upon you to support that proposition with evidence. 

You seem to be ignoring every point I've raised without any discussion. Is there a reason for that?

please provide your evidence backed with good science studies. 

As I said, there's a shift away gradually taking place. That correlates with my experience and the experience of others, along with many professionals. The absence of large studies at this stage proves nothing. However, there's also no proof that abstinence is the only effective model, so that's a non-argument anyway.

I have direct, personal experience of a partner who's successfully returned to social drinking for 18 months after 13 years of alcoholism. The approach we took between us up address it 100% worked - and worked quickly and effectively. That model obviously won't be right for everyone, and probably not for the majority even. But it was obviously right for her, and worked. So if you want to insist that abstinence is the only model for alcohol recovery for every individual, you are demonstrably wrong.

from the link u sent

"The sample size used in the study also leaves something to be desired and I would hope that further research would examine these effects with a bigger cohort and a more variable participant group."

Here's an expert's opinion for you from Psychology Today. 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/all-about-addiction/201103/abstinence-is-not-the-only-option

There's a shift away from total abstinence as the only option gradually taking place. It's one of those received wisdoms that's been largely accepted without critical challenge - a bit like the AA model as the best recovery path, when it's clearly inappropriate for many.

As I said though, if total abstinence works for you personally, then it's absolutely the right thing to stick to that. A return to moderate, social drinking is always going to be more challenging and only appropriate for a minority of alcoholics or problem drinkers.

You can stick with whatever advice works for you. However, it runs directly contrary to my personal experience, and the addiction specialists that I've dealt with recognised that a return to social drinking is possible for some.

If we accept that there's a genetic predisposition towards alcoholism, then it makes sense that for those people total abstinence is necessary. However, it's perfectly possible to develop a physical dependency without any predisposition. If I went out and started drinking at problem levels, I'd develop an addiction without any predisposition. So for such people, it would make sense that they're able to return to social drinking. It's important to acknowledge this, because without doing so there is no broad range of solutions tailored to fit individual needs, and many will be left without support models that work for them.