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Autism and alcohol

Bananatropics26

So I'm an alcoholic so is my mother. She drank when she was pregnant with me so I don't know if that messed up my brain making me more susceptible to drinking as an adult. It's probably the case. I find something about alcohol incredibly addictive and attractive. It's hard to say no to it. When I don't have it I am extremely miserable and upset. It's quite insidious the way that alcohol penetrates my brains defense system and makes me so vulnerable to it's appeal. My mother is the exact same (worse). To her she loved alcohol even more than her child (me). It is always present whenever I think of her I just think booze. I wonder what is going on here? Why are autistic people all alcoholics. I have met tons of autistic people over the years and they all have one thing in common they all love alcohol and seek it out like a mouse seeks out a block of cheese. I am aware that the common consensus among scientists is that there is some correlation between GABA dysfunction and autism this may explain in part the appeal for alcohol consumption on the part of autistic individuals. I woke up so early and all I can think about is alcohol. I feel like I need more. It's like when I am not on it I am holding my breath and when I take some I can finally breathe again. I don't think NTs are capable of understanding our syndrome we live with on a daily basis. I understand my brain chemistry has been irreversibly altered. However I have found that not consuming alcohol makes way for the brain to heal and repair to some extent. 

Parents

  • Hi, Thank you for explaining exactly how you feel, I’m not here to preach to you. What you haven’t said is if you want to stop drinking, you won’t stop until you really want to. I do understand the self loathing, depression and anxiety, my love affair with alcohol started when I was still at school, it was an affair that lasted over 40 years. For me it helped me to mask and gave me confidence.

    You are right, neurodiverse people are more prone to addiction, I’ve joined an alcohol addiction online group and was surprised how many autistic and adhd people are there.

    All I can say is that I thought the alcohol really helped with my depression and anxiety, I now know it was fuelling it. Obviously we will always be autistic and have the struggles that go with it, I find processing these feelings and emotions much easier with a clear mind.

    When I did stop I felt exhausted for the first 6 months, it does get better, I actually enjoy waking up now. I’m on day 380 and will never go back to my old ways, my masking skills are somewhat depleted but I’m of an attitude now of, “I don’t care.” 
    It might be worth speaking to your GP, there might be medication that can help.

    I don’t know if you’re venting or asking for help, all I do know is that you have to want to stop, people telling you to do it doesn’t work.

Reply

  • Hi, Thank you for explaining exactly how you feel, I’m not here to preach to you. What you haven’t said is if you want to stop drinking, you won’t stop until you really want to. I do understand the self loathing, depression and anxiety, my love affair with alcohol started when I was still at school, it was an affair that lasted over 40 years. For me it helped me to mask and gave me confidence.

    You are right, neurodiverse people are more prone to addiction, I’ve joined an alcohol addiction online group and was surprised how many autistic and adhd people are there.

    All I can say is that I thought the alcohol really helped with my depression and anxiety, I now know it was fuelling it. Obviously we will always be autistic and have the struggles that go with it, I find processing these feelings and emotions much easier with a clear mind.

    When I did stop I felt exhausted for the first 6 months, it does get better, I actually enjoy waking up now. I’m on day 380 and will never go back to my old ways, my masking skills are somewhat depleted but I’m of an attitude now of, “I don’t care.” 
    It might be worth speaking to your GP, there might be medication that can help.

    I don’t know if you’re venting or asking for help, all I do know is that you have to want to stop, people telling you to do it doesn’t work.

Children