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autism and alcohol

shopgirl

Ive been on a bit of a journey of self discovery the last few weeks. Im finally going to talk with my GP about my concerns over me being on the spectrum. my son was diagnosed last year and im positive it runs in my family now. Ive also been addressing my drinking. I saw a lady the other day who asked me what my triggers might be and i couldnt come up with any. the diary she has given me is turning out to be pointless too. Im starting to suspect my drinking is related to my (suspected) autism. It statrted about the time i stopped rocking and i think its largely to do with me not being able to transition from the hectic day to the calm evening. im a very busy person and dont really do sitting down relaxing.

Does this make sence to anyone as at my next appoinment id like to discuss these thoughts but im just abit nervous?

Parents

  • Oh yes... this is the main reason I went for diagnosis. Started drinking in teens to deal with social anxiety (worked like magic, initially), and spent most of teens and 20s blind drunk. 

    Nowadays I drink more to take the edge off the day - am very efficient with it, don't fall over, skip work, or turn up hungover, but it is taking its toll health-wise. And Longman is right, it has made my social isolation worse. I started drinking in an attempt to connect with other people but at some point it started having the opposite effect. 

    Finding out I have Aspergers hasn't made me suddenly stop wanting a drink, but has made me realise I do need to make more of an effort, both with social interaction and resisting the nightly bottle of wine routine.

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  • Oh yes... this is the main reason I went for diagnosis. Started drinking in teens to deal with social anxiety (worked like magic, initially), and spent most of teens and 20s blind drunk. 

    Nowadays I drink more to take the edge off the day - am very efficient with it, don't fall over, skip work, or turn up hungover, but it is taking its toll health-wise. And Longman is right, it has made my social isolation worse. I started drinking in an attempt to connect with other people but at some point it started having the opposite effect. 

    Finding out I have Aspergers hasn't made me suddenly stop wanting a drink, but has made me realise I do need to make more of an effort, both with social interaction and resisting the nightly bottle of wine routine.

Children
  • in reply to stateofindependence

    Over 5 years ago you wrote this.  How's it going?  I can so relate to everything that people have said in this post.  I started drinking alcohol at about 16 and found it was the magic drug and legal to help me function in social situations, which I always really struggled with; what to say, when, too silly, too boring, over the top, focus on my physical deficiencies..... etc. 40 years later, I have been on a roller coaster of excessive drinking failed relationships and the anxiety is always there.  2 sons, from different relationships, both on the spectrum, one diagnosed, which has turned the spotlight on me in that I have requested a diagnosis.  Hoping it will confirm why i'm like this and help me to get CBT to deal with the anxiety and low self esteem.  Alcoholism is not the problem, it is the symptom of the underlying anxiety.