Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi there,
I really struggle with alcohol addiction I’m a young man with autism in my twenties. Ever since I first got drunk at 14 I have loved the way alcohol makes me feel. The euphoria it gives me is almost indescribable, it makes me feel free to be who I want and I feel more compassion and empathy for others when I’m drunk. I haven’t found anything else like it. I tried weed but I didn’t like the way it made me feel it didn’t make me feel invincible like alcohol instead weed made me feel small and vulnerable. I have been off drink since I was 19 but recently have relapsed after years being off it. I tried it because I forgot what it was like and immediately that euphoria rushed in and once I had a taste for it again I just wanted more and more. People have recommended medication like ‘Acamprosate’ which helps with alcohol cravings I’ve never tried that before but maybe it works. But then I would worry that if I came off the medication at some point I would immediately want alcohol again. It’s difficult. I understand that lots of autistic people I have spoken to have also struggled with alcohol as it helps them loosen up a bit. I wonder if us autistic people have some kind of imbalance in our brains that makes us desire alcohol above most else. Let me know what you guys think
Have you tried the drinks that realise happy chemicals in your brain your not even tipsy just happy n giggly maybe that might help then work your way off drinking I'm not sure
I've never experienced being more sociable after alcohol
When I was younger I used to force myself to attend social events and would consume copious amounts, to try to deal with what I believed at the time to be social anxiety. A lot of the events were work related with a free bar, so access to alcohol was very easy. People used to encourage me to drink, in an attempt to prise me out of my shell, and I could drink them under the table with ease.
Not once did it ever make it any easier to talk to people or have any more interest in them. Sure I would be more likely to make a complete fool of myself on the dance floor. My anxiety around eating in front of others also dissipated but I still didn't talk to anyone.
Nowadays I rarely touch alcohol, maybe a glass of wine a couple of times a year. If I do have any alcohol it usually just gives me a headache and makes me sleep.
Yeh I even tend to find that when I am in a social situations where people are drinking they offer drugs and all that. I am not into that kind of thing. I’m very anti drugs. I’m not anti alcohol though. But for me personally I probably shouldn’t drink at this time. If you’re struggling with alcohol cravings to make you more sociable maybe you should seek advice from a professional. They might be able to help you.
Yeh, it can take a while to kick in apparaently. I totally understand you. I just like the feeling also it takes me away from my problems and lets me forget. Life’s all about learning ways to cope with the present moment I guess. Easier said than done though haha.
Hi, I also like how it makes me more Sociable but also opens other doorways to never wanting to come down therefore turning to further substance abuse. Now I don't drink and am struggling with the lack of socialising and lack of the euphoric state. Wish you all the best on your journey and hope you get through it
I'm no expert, but I do have some experiential insight.
We are prone to "addictive" type behaviours - to a greater degree than the general population.
We are prone to "be alone" type behaviours - to a greater degree than the general population.
Accordingly, drinking alcohol ALONE is a risky, risky business for us folk !
Interestingly, when I stopped drinking completely - Nothing really changed.
I had more money AND undoubtedly gave my flesh and bones and grey matter a rest from sustained poisoning ...but... my overall levels of anxiety / stress / panic / confusion / loneliness / fear / energy etc changed very little. This was interesting to me.
In my experience, I came to realise that the alcohol was not helping me......I thought it was.....but it was not.....AND
.......Similarly, in my experience, I came to realise that STOPPING alcohol was not the be-all-and-end-all of what I needed to address in my life. I suspect that I only have that clarity because I am sober.
If you KNOW you are drinking too much. Stop. That's my advice......but don't expect miracle "born again" status for your life.
Life is hard, drunk or sober.
For what its worth.
Number.
I have been on Acamprosate for alcoholism, I am unclear on whether it truly worked or not though.
For me I have attempted sobriety a few times and while it has been good for a time (1-3 years at a time) I have always fallen back into it again. I don't deny it, I love alcohol.
Like you, I use it to help me with social situations but I also drink a lot alone. I just like the feeling in my body, I can't describe it. Autistic people are more prone to developing substance abuse issues - so I guess it checks out that we might both be in this boat.
Yeh it’s quite common. That’s good that you separated from your ex if he was causing you issues with his drinking. I’ve never had a partner but I would not want to subject them to my issues, I would want to love them and care for them and treat them right.
I have encountered many people (autistic and neurotypical) with alcohol addiction issues during my life. I cannot deny that witnessing the negative effects their drinking has had on their personality and behaviour has resulted in causing me trauma. Experience has taught me that it can often be impossible to try to reason with an angry drunk.
As for my ex-boyfriend, I believe he still has the occasional drink, but his intake of alcohol is no longer what would be deemed excessive and harmful to his health.
Wow that’s insightful thanks. Yes it can be distressing for others when someone is drunk. I guess when you’ve been through a lot of trauma the first thing most of us do is self medicate with alcohol, cannabis or other drugs. Sorry to hear about your boyfriend. Hopefully everything is better now.
Yes, I have the same issue with money, food and time. My Bermuda Triangle of Addiction.
As I understand it, ASD can make us more prone to developing addictions. Although I personally have never had an addiction to alcohol, I know there are members here (past and present) who have, and in some instances, their reasons have been the same/similar to yours.
You would need to ask your GP what is available, but an ex-boyfriend was prescribed something that I think helped to reduce his cravings for alcohol, and also caused him to be sick if he did drink.
Something to consider is that if you take anti-depressant medication, alcohol can make it less effective. In addition, I feel alcohol-induced psychosis is something else that you may wish to consider. If you have a tendency to get drunk when you're feeling angry or depressed, it is likely that this will result in pushing people away.
Apologies if what I have said has caused offence and touched a raw nerve. I am merely speaking as an autistic person who has witnessed how distressing it can be when another autistic person is under the influence.
no, its the fact that alcohol slows your nervous response and kills any background anxiety you have all the time, background anxiety you may not be aware of but effects you. and so when the anxiety is slowed or removed by alcohol you start to feel confident and more social, you start to feel like you can speak to others and be a clown and be like any other normal person. because of the effect it has on slowing your nerve signals down and stopping the anxiety signals from triggering.