Azureth wrote:
I admit I am a smoker, about a pack a day. I know it's really bad but I do it anyway. I, of course, do realize quitting smoking is very difficult for NTs, but I am curious if having asperger's makes it even more addictive? If not the nicotine itself, just the routine you get in. For example, I have a routine wherein I will get a soda, open it and put it on the counter, then go outside for a ciggaerte and once done come back in grab my soda can and head to my computer. susceptible.
ASDs/PDDs are one of the few diagnostic categories in the DSM that are not associated with a higher chance of smoking. I think that the rate of smokers among autistic people is lower than the general population. Many mental illnesses, on the other hand, are associated with higher - sometimes much higher - rates of smoking.
It's interesting you bring this up, though, as I believe there are genes associated with this susceptibility, and these genes are also linked to ADHD. I would have to verify what I read to be certain, however.