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Alcohol help

NAS82970

Hi, 

I’m looking for help to stop using alcohol as a coping mechanism. I have done this for years but only following my diagnosis have I begun to understand why I depend on it so much. I have tried and tried over the years to reduce my intake or to stop drinking altogether but it is as though the bottle always has the final say. 
I don’t drink every evening, but when I do it’s always too much. I’m burnt out by the time I get home and I feel like I have to pour myself a glass just to relax. I’m so ashamed and so desperate. 
I don’t want to drink anymore. Does anyone have any experience with this or know how I might find support that might help me to find a better way of coping? 

I haven’t accessed any kind of support since I was diagnosed, I’m not even sure what is out there. I haven’t talked to my family about ASD or alcohol - I’ve always been very private and worried that being open about my mental health will damage the relationships I have tried so hard to maintain over the years. My mum, my sister and my husband know I have ASD, but I don’t talk about it because I don’t want to seem like I’m focusing on myself too much. I’m rarely ever comfortable around anyone & I really wanted that to change, I wanted to see if I could finally be myself and let my guard down, so I tested the water by talking to my sister in law, but she immediately rejected my diagnosis, instead suggesting that I was probably a bit depressed rather than autistic! It really knocked my confidence, so I’m still hiding myself even with my close family. It’s exhausting, and lonely. 

I don’t know what to do, but I know that drinking isn’t the answer. 
Reaching out here because I can hide in anonymity while I admit just how desperate I really am.  

Parents

  • This is a big question and a big subject and it's something a lot of us (me included) struggle with and have to work hard every day to maintain.

    Three small practical things that have made a big difference in my life:

    - Have a few allocated days a week off the booze - it will lower your tolerance and slowly reduce the amount you need to get the same effect. If you fall off that schedule, that's OK - just try to get back on to the schedule as quickly as you can.

    - Look at some of the non-alcoholic beverages available now - that will still allow you the routine of having a drink but without the alcohol and the damage. There's loads of good options for beer and spirits. drydrinker.com is our fave.

    - Start counting the calories of what you drink and see how that stacks up compared to your suggested daily calorie count. There's apps to help make that easy. I was shocked by this.

    I hope some of this helps. Good luck.

Reply

  • This is a big question and a big subject and it's something a lot of us (me included) struggle with and have to work hard every day to maintain.

    Three small practical things that have made a big difference in my life:

    - Have a few allocated days a week off the booze - it will lower your tolerance and slowly reduce the amount you need to get the same effect. If you fall off that schedule, that's OK - just try to get back on to the schedule as quickly as you can.

    - Look at some of the non-alcoholic beverages available now - that will still allow you the routine of having a drink but without the alcohol and the damage. There's loads of good options for beer and spirits. drydrinker.com is our fave.

    - Start counting the calories of what you drink and see how that stacks up compared to your suggested daily calorie count. There's apps to help make that easy. I was shocked by this.

    I hope some of this helps. Good luck.

Children
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