Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi,
This is first thing I've written here, please be gentle.
I have used alcohol to cope with my somewhat tumultuous life since I was 25. I'm now in my 30s.
I have never entertained the thought that I might be on the spectrum until recently (the past year) when, not only my friends suggested it, but also when I tentatively mentioned it and my own brother didn't bat an eye and said "yeah maybe".
I'm a little shocked and intrigued. I've since spoken to a specialist who just happened to be a friend of my friend - the conversation I had with her felt so relaxed and like a relief. She even said she'd gone through a period of drinking before she was diagnosed.
I'd really be interested to hear if anyone else has had issues with alcohol
It's not really about wanting to drink per se - it's the focus that it gives, and the relief from all the thoughts and feeling uncomfortable.
To level out this post, I'll also add that I'm a grown woman with values and good cognitive reasoning - I've also achieved good things in my life - but not as many as I intended!!
H x
Alcohol was my crutch, only thing that has worked. Self medicated with alcohol since my late teens.
Im early 40s now. If i dont drink after a few days, i become much less dulled, more active and produ tive but......my thoughts run wild and i have trouble sleeping.
Like yourself, i drank to socialise. As other people were drunk, i guess i seemed more normal lol this helped with interacting with women. Without it, i was like a mute. Im getting a better grip on it now. I no longer drink stupidly strong lager and and have a couple of beers at the weekend now