Alcohol

I think it's good that you don't want to be an alcoholic. It's not just about the long-term damage that it would do to you, but also the impact it would have on people close to you. This is going back 20+ years ago, but I remember an ex-boyfriend of mine being prescribed medication after he had realised his drinking had started to become a problem. I wish you the best of luck in your quest to find a solution.

Hi NAS79606

I know that alcohol is not fattening, my father is an alcoholic and I hate it. After I went online to search and get advice from a few people I know that detox takes a long time. Drink alcohol in low concentrations and at intervals. Doing so after a while I saw that my father had significant changes.

Moreover, the sharing of Karin Mod via the link:

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/mental-health/adaries cookie clicker is also very helpful for you and me.

Dear NAS79606,

Thank you for sharing this with our community. You may be interested in looking at our page about adapting alcohol support, https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/alcohol-support

I hope this helps!

Best regards,

Eunice Mod

0800 9177 650

is a good number to call 

Four teen years ago I was in exactly your position.  I would have written exactly what you write.   There is a solution. 

if necessary I will give you my personal details for contact but I think the phone number above is the best. 

Hi, I don't have experience with alcohol but I do also struggle with unhealthy coping mechanisms (in my case comfort eating and binging etc). It is so hard to get out of and I am trying to find alternative coping mechanisms but it's not working so well- though today I was advised to 'keep it simple' when trying to find another way to unwind and cope- I actually just spend 45 hours lying outside on grass watching the clouds. I used to use exercise and outdoor activities to unwind and cope but have been unable to due to injury. I realised today that all the other strategies I tried were just too 'complicated/ too much effort and not enjoyable enough (eg. I tried boardgames, cooking, baking, origami, chess etc etc.), so that engaging in them took too much effort and left me frustrated as I didn't like it much and it wasn't productive. I think maybe the best coping strategies are those that make us feel good and that are simple and require very little (I will try just sitting outside, looking at sky, looking at pictures of hiking, making a cup of tea)- I know it's not that simple and I'm sorry if this is completely irrelevant- I had this revelation today (after ringing Samaritans as I was completely depressed, hopeless and lethargic...) and I just thought I would share it in case it is of any help.  What activities and things do you enjoy? Can you possibly also address some of the causes of your anxiety? I am trying to change things at the moment though I find that when I am stuck in this negative spiral it is really hard to make changes and plan a new future. 

I hope you find some other coping strategies. 

Hello NAS79606

I'm glad to hear that you don't want to be an alcoholic. The NAS website has a guide on addiction and why autistic people develop addictions. Please read the full page. Here is the link: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/mental-health/addiction

All the best,

Karin Mod