Being autistic and a person who uses drugs

Content warning: drug use

Millie is an autistic person who uses drugs. They shared some of their journey with us in this video, including why they turned to opioids to cope with overstimulation and trauma. Their history and neurodivergence make them uniquely qualified for their role in substance use and addiction harm reduction. Millie is a peer support worker who can directly empathize with those seeking services and create a safe space for them free of judgement.

Do ever feel like its easier to connect with someone with similar experiences than with someone who might not ‘get it?’ Share in the comments.

[shelbylaneboyyy]

I'm autistic and adhd and my thing was meth. It really helped me gain the energy to overcome my "demand avoidance" and executive function failures. I can't believe there's not more research in autism and addiction being that drugs run rampant in the autism community.

[GreenMindxD]

I was late diagnosed audhd and have been addicted to every substance you could name, been sober for quite a while now. Looking back I think I found refuge in drug culture because it was a community where weird and unusual behaviour was expected so you could fit in as an autistic person and of course escaping pain and trauma

[jaz]

I have been an addict my whole life because its the only way I have not taken my life. Undiagnosed for 37 yrs. Autistic. PTSD

[HalJordan]

I’m autistic and I’ve been a 2 pack a day cigarette smoker for 20 years. I’m also a heavy weed smoker, I smoke almost an ounce of weed every week. I spent my childhood in a group home where I was physically and verbally abused by the staff on a daily basis, and I even became homeless for three years once I aged out of group home care once I turned 18. That’s when I took up smoking both cigarettes and weed, as it became the only way for me to escape the trauma from my past

[ariel]

Cannabis and occasional psychedelic use in safe settings has been beneficial for me. I want to do a PhD on these types of substances in clinical settings for treating and healing autistic burn out, trauma, and related mental health conditions due to camouflaging and other stressors related to living in a neurotypical world and being autistic.

[Cararara]

Oh my gosh I love this video. I was diagnosed with bpd and now they saying autism and ADHD. I struggled with opiates, they make me feel normal like I can live like a normal person! I thought what is wrong with me. It's exhausting just living sometimes, the noise and lights and constantly trying to figure people out.

[predeterminedmeat]

Chemical addiction is a terror i wouldn't wish my worst enemies. The amount of autistic people on the streets in BC is nightmarish

[capriquarius]

Thank you so much for making this video, this particular niche isn't getting attention for whatever reason. Thank you for spreading awareness and fostering connection. You havve a beautiful soul & I hope you are okay and have peace and love in your life ♥️

[sciencenotsrigma]

Wow…we have had a lot of the same experiences, for the same reasons. I had Opioid Use Disorder and am still struggling with PTSD and am autistic. I also have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, but several of the features are similar to autism, like sleep issues and getting deeply absorbed in specific interests, for longe periods, so I’m not sure if it’s a co-occurring disorder, or mislabeling, sometimes. I think it’s probably accurate, because I haven’t heard of many autistic people who went on spending sprees, often, before they were treated and I did! Thanks for making yourself visible and sharing some of your journey with us! I strongly support both Peer Recovery and Harm Reduction. You are doing great things! ❤

[jebidiahcarlyon]

I'm happy to see its not strange for me to smoke weed the way that I do. I am learning so much about my brain, so late in my life...

[buskingkarma]

I'm kinda getting emotional watching this!😢because, , I have recently got clean, but I'm fifty odd years old and feel like a fish out of water without street drugs, but the addiction got out of control and nearly killed me several times, but now like I said, a fish out of water is how I feel.

[Bellexxlux]

I‘m autistic too and was in a very deep hole of coke. It made me feel social I finally could talk openly and energetic to strangers. I overshared a lot and told them things about me I wouldn‘t even tell my mirror. The high was so good everytime but man the comedown.. I felt really depressed for the next 3 days or so had no energy and my mask falls everytime on comedown. I hate everything about myself in that moment. I thought I could handle it but it just drains me.

[djsaintmusic]

As an autistic woman 186 days sober from weed, thank you for the harm reduction promoted in this video.

[ZyanoseBiggestFan]

Im an autistic teenager who’s trans and has major ptsd. I got really into oxy when I was 15. I had a prescription due to pain but I started using it to feel nothing. To feel free. I knew drugs was bad and I told myself I’d never use drugs but I did. My use got to the point where couldn’t go to school unless I had my oxy, I couldn’t function and have to mask if I didn’t get them. I’ve been able to get clean by myself. My parents don’t know I’ve struggled. I’ve ruined several relationships due to my use and I feel really bad but I’m gonna break the cycle. I’ve been clean of oxy and benzos since July 2023.

[jacobfrank]

Thank you for your honesty. You are a blessing from God. Keep getting the truth out, you angel. 👼

[petergriffin]

Nicotine, weed, and kratom are my drugs of choice and I use them all at the same time. Drug pairing is a really bad habit I have. Idk if I’m autistic or adhd or just have anxiety. It’s really hard to tell. I’ve spoken with therapists that say I might have adhd because my brother has it, but he’s more hyperactive and I’m not. I don’t want to self diagnose. Ever since I was a kid I felt a sense of falling behind everyone and not fitting in. Social gatherings became a nightmare especially in college where I am now. Smoking a shitload of weed and drinking til I was basically stupid was the only way for me to cope back in those days. I don’t really do social events anymore because I binge drink every time and I like alcohol too much and don’t want to be an alcoholic like my dad or stepmom. When I became an adult I also realized that my parents are both very odd in comparison to the rest of society. Both incredibly anxious people. I wish I could make the daily anxiety I feel go away, I am tired of embarrassing myself every hour. Long comment, thanks for sticking around lol

[Feline]

I'm autistic and I use psychedelics for understanding myself and my needs better

[Unimaginative.Moniker]

What a beautiful testimonial. Thank you, Mille.

[zuzannak.]

I'm autistic and have ADHD and for a really long time substances helped me relax around people and also not be bothered by sounds, smells etc in social situations. Discovering ketamine felt like coming back to a friend I never knew I had, it got out of control though so now I'm just trying to raw dog reality

[adettessubs]

I've been looking for videos like this. Very informative.