Autism and Addiction

Autism is a neurological condition and a ‘lifelong developmental disability.’ This means that some people are born autistic, and others are not. Autism is not something that can be ‘caused’ of ‘cured’ after birth, but it can be managed in a way that improves access and quality of life if needed. It is quite common for autistic individuals to struggle with their emotional wellbeing. This is thought to be connected to a range of factors, such as social interaction challenges, high anxiety and the impact of prejudice. Unfortunately, this means that an estimated 70% of autistic people develop a mental health condition. Over time, this can heighten emotional distress and increase the risk of an addiction developing. Understanding autism and how this maps onto lived experience is the best way to manage this high addiction potential. This includes knowing the signs of autism as well as being aware of the various autism and addiction treatment options available.

What is Autism?

Autism is a neurological condition that primarily impacts ‘how people communicate and interact with the world.’  It is not considered to be a mental health condition, but it is linked to dual diagnosis of conditions like anxiety and depression. The National Autistic Society work to stress that being autistic is a very individual experience. Autism can be associated with particular strengths as well as weaknesses and does not always contribute to mental ill health. However, if appropriate awareness and accessibility are not present, there is a high risk of psychological difficulties developing over time.

How Common is Autism?

It is difficult to clearly identify how many people have autism. This is because there are potential barriers to diagnosis (including misdiagnosis and late diagnosis in adults) that can obscure the full picture.

However, the data we do have suggests that:

• More than 1 in 100 people have autism
• There are an estimated 700,000 adults and children on the autism spectrum in the UK

Autism Symptoms

There are 6 key difficulties associated with autism. These include:

1. social difficulties
2. repetitive and restrictive behaviours
3. sensory sensitivities
4. very specific hobbies and interests
5. intense anxiety
6. experiencing shutdowns and meltdowns

Autism diagnostic criteria are met if an individual experiences challenges in any two of these areas.

Recent research has found that autism can look very different from person to person. This is why the term ‘autism spectrum’ is so helpful, as it indicates a broad range of experiences. Autism is very individual. But we have been able to identify general key differences, like:

• Autism in children can look very different to autism in adults
• Autism in girls and women can look very different to autism in men

For example, autistic adults may not have such ‘clear’ symptoms as autistic children. The signs may appear more subtle. This can also be the case for autistic women, who have been known to ‘mask’ or camouflage symptoms for longer, often leading to a late or missed diagnosis.

Common diagnoses for autistic adults include:

• Bipolar disorder
• Borderline personality disorder
• Psychoses
• Schizophrenia

This misdiagnosis is problematic as it can mean that access to appropriate forms of support can be limited.

How Do I Know if I Have Autism?

Knowing that autism in adults and children, as well as autism in men and women, looks different, it can be tricky to identify autism in ourselves or a loved one. However, there are some key signs that are commonly experienced across the autism spectrum:

• Literal thinking
• Confusion around tone of voice, body language and gesture
• Differences in speech
• appearing to not have ‘a filter’
• requiring extra time to process information
• echoing sounds and speech of others
• seeking alone time
• difficulty maintaining relationships
• anxiety round changing routine
• strict, unchanging habits
• stimming
• high anxiety
• panic attacks
• hypersensitivity to the 5 senses
• hyposensitivity to the 5 senses
• becoming so engrossed in a hobby or interest that other areas of life are neglected
• meltdowns (‘temporary loss of behaviour control’)
• shutdowns (‘going quiet or switching off’)

Autism & Addiction: What’s the Link?

Addiction is of course experienced by neurotypical individuals. But there are several factors in autistic life that may increase the risk of an addiction developing.  For example, autistic people may experience:

• intense emotional distress
• lack of access to support
• lack of accessibility
• tendency towards routine leading, to repeated engagement with an addictive stimulus
• a late diagnosis
• low self-esteem
• perceived social stigma
• isolation
• long-term physical health conditions
• long-term mental health conditions

What addictions are common in people with autism?

Substance Use Disorders

Substance addictions are common in people with autism. This is because autistic people may feel pressured to use drugs or alcohol to ‘relax’ enough to act in a way that masks their symptoms. Relying on this for a long time can lead to the development of a chemical dependency. Autistic people may also find themselves ‘dabbling’ in substances due to peer pressure, using drugs to fit in with a specific social group. On the other side of things, turning to drugs may be a way of soothing potential feelings of isolation and social withdrawal often experienced by people on the autism spectrum.

Behavioural Addictions

Due to the tendency towards repetitive behaviour and routine, autistic people may also develop behavioural addictions. This could include forming a psychological dependency on activities such as gaming, the internet, shopping or gambling.

Help for Autism

With appropriate support and understanding, the challenges of autism can be managed in a way that significantly improves wellbeing.

How to Get Help

Accessing diagnosis

One of the first steps to getting help for autism is accessing diagnosis. Whilst diagnosis is not important for everyone, some people find that receiving a diagnosis provides them with a sense of clarity and legitimises their difficulties. It may also be a way of accessing more concrete support if a formal diagnosis of a disability is in place. Following diagnosis, there are a range of treatment options available.

Treatment Options

Whilst there isn’t a type of therapy for autism that will eliminate the condition, there are treatment options available that can alleviate distress. This can take the form of psychological and medical support, such as:

• prescription medications
• autism-specific talking therapy
• counselling
• cognitive behavioural therapy
• support with lifestyle changes
• employment support
• advice from autism charities

Treating Autism and Addiction

Some people are worried that being autistic may present a barrier to addiction treatment. For example, there may be concerns surrounding whether the rehab setting is accessible and sensory-friendly to autistic individuals. At Oasis Bradford, we can talk you through the experience of addiction rehab to give you a sense of what to expect beforehand. This can alleviate some distress and allow you to prepare for rehab in a way that works best for you.

Get Help Today

Navigating addiction is tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you have a dual diagnosis, we’re here to assist you in overcoming your addiction. Contact us today to start your path to recovery. At UKAT, we believe everyone deserves stable mental health and a life free from substance abuse. Our expert team is here to guide you on your first step towards that goal.