Substance Abuse

Post Reply New Topic

I'm wondering if there is any correlation between early substance abuse issues and a late aspergers diagnosis?

I have a problem with the term 'substance abuse'... substances are inanimate objects... they have no feelings and thus can't be abused...

The definition I like from Google is "the misuse of chemicals that can alter the functioning of one's body and mind." It's substance abuse because the substance in question generally has an express purpose, and so you're abusing it if you're using it for a different purpose. Painkillers would be a good example: they are substances which exist to dull or numb pain, but you can abuse their purpose and instead take them for a high.

Mmaestro

"Substance Abuse" is a universal term whether you like it or not. You know what I'm asking. I personally don't care for it much either but that's irrelevent. I spent my late teens and most of my twenties in one rehab, hospital or another and am just realizing, in my mid-thirties, that there may be a logical explanation for it. I was hoping for an answer to my original question.

I don't have an answer to your question, but you might find this thread I started yesterday of interest. Some stuff about using alcohol (and other drugs) to try to mask the effects of AS from ourselves or others. Definitely seems to be an effect in reducing social anxiety by using alcohol, if nothing else. Whether that would affect how early your diagnosis comes, though, I don't know.

Don't drink, don't smoke, never done drugs (apart from one joint a long time ago). Despite this psycological problems hit just after my 21st birthday and I wasn't diagnosed with AS until my late 40s. Maybe I should look for another cause.

Ed Almos

I used to abuse butane (lighter gas), but I grew out of that phase, alcohol is my main problem now.
Simon.