The Strong Link Between Autism And Addiction

Autistic adult talks about the link between autism and addiction with a licensed clinical mental health counselor and addiction specialist (WHO'S ALSO AUTISTIC!)

Watch the FULL episode on the Thoughty Auti Podcast YouTube channel!
(alternatively, check it out on your favourite podcast streaming service)

Why are Autistic people more prone to addiction? What is the difference between substance addiction and process addiction? How can you recover from addiction?

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[caoyi]

focusing on connection is another type addiction.

[lillyraye]

I have been struggling with drinking for a while and I really want to quit. One of the problems I am having is that the majority of the treatment is very socially focused and there are a lot of people at the groups. I am having difficulty imagining attending one of these groups without the aid of achcohol. Has anyone else had this issue? I wish there were small groups available specifically for autistic people/people with social anxiety. That or treatment that doesn't involve other people at all. Lol

Thank you so much for the video it made me feel less alone ♥

[SugarCow]

Thank you so much for your openness and honesty. It’s helping me in my own patterns and creating new patterns that hopefully lead me to a life I actually feel connected and proud of myself.

[markthomas]

This has been really good for me to listen to. Thank you. It’s a topic I’ve been trying to re-assess and analyse within myself for 3 years, since my diagnosis which came late at 59. All my life I have been aware of my neuro differences and also recognised in my teens that I would need to be wary of potential addictions to comforting things as you were talking about. Not that I’ve completely avoided long periods of over-reliance on certain things which haven’t been good for me - but I think that self-awareness did eventually kick in each time and save me from going too deep into anything before it actually got dangerous. Keep up the great work Thomas.

[HIRAMECLARKEHOPS]

awesome talk! Very relatable, thank you guys.

[Catlily]

Living in the dorms at university helped me make friends. We were neurodivergent and didn't know it. I stayed friends with several people for over ten years that I met at university.

[santhieamadeus]

When i was smoking half a pack a day and putting a 6pack of beer away every night and doing harder stuff on the weekends I was the most socially connected ive ever been in my life. I think the statement addiction is the opposite of connection needs more nuance.

[lillyraye]

Thank you so much! I will look into that ❤

[UncleSukuna]

Life's anxiety with audhd feels like a physical static the alcohol is like a weighted blanket on that sensation it almost feels like I swear it makes me feel smoother in the first drinks and in some cases it's shown on my skateboard though Ive always known my anxiety always held me back in my skating and the liquid courage helped I'd say even though I was capable of sooo much more when i could get passed that anxiety but oh well I still love the life I've been given

[mississippiatheistette]

I had a heroin addiction for 12 years and i went to prison a while back necause of it. I have been sober now for about 8 months but i feel horrible. I have told my husband that i just want to feel anything else other than this. I know i cant though because i know it will kill me and i nevee want heroin withdrawals ever again. I just dont know what to do anymore. Self isolation doesnt help any of it either.

[chooseaname]

So does late adult autism diagnosis help someone finally get free of their addiction because they finally understand themselves better and can seek autistic friends and manage sensory and burnout issues in healthier ways?

[markthomas]

Hi Thomas - the Dbud link doesn’t seem to work for me?

[laurabeigh]

my partner has been a porn addict and now is a TV addict.

[dawnkelly]

Try God …… Loving Him & obeying (His love language) is what it comes down to……… experiences are to be for His glory- just a roadblock in dying to the flesh …….. pray