Aspergers and addictions???

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The literature I have read so far said that the people with Aspergers do not generally have problems with drugs or alcohol. I was wondering if anyone knows about (or has) issues in other addiction areas such as gambling, food, sex, internet. Reason why I ask is I have been researching Aspergers for my son, but have been surprised (maybe not so much) and perhaps slightly scared, to find that I relate to alot of things talked about here and in the books. Its not that I have been totally unaware of my behaviours, thoughts, feelings, but I have thought they were issues related to my own addiction or to possible PTSD??? Anyone have any thoughts on this matter?

Although I don't have a citation handy, I've read that those on the Autism Spectrum (and that includes Aspergers) can definitely have problems with alcohol and drugs because they can reduce social anxiety (but with some potentially very bad outcomes).

Z

Nice to meet you, gibbler67.

I don't have any addictions here.

I have high-functioning autism and I have had a lot of problems with substance abuse.

I don't think it's accurate at all to say that aspies don't usually have problems with drugs or alcohol. Many abstain entirely using that famous aspie logic to write off drugs and alcohol as self-destructive and a waste of time/money/energy etc., but plenty of those who do indulge take it pretty far. I for one have been addicted to just about everything at one time or another. I was a "fat kid" growing up and have battled eating problems my whole life (both over and undernourishing myself). I've been addicted to porn, work, procrastination (an addiction to certain habits), and I am currently getting sober from a two year-long drug and alcohol binge (mostly weed and beer).

Aspies are creatures of habit and repetition. Habits can be good and bad. Many aspies find good habits, such as music, computer programming, and reading to fill their time. I'm sure there are plenty like me who have had lots of bad habits to go along with those good ones. I don't know what information you're looking for exactly, but if you want to know more about my experiences with addiction and how I have overcome many of them, feel free to PM me or post in this thread.

Tx for the replies. ButchCoolidge - I'm not sure what I am looking for. I have been to social workers, addictions counselors, psychologists and other DRs and most of the time I think I have talked my way out of any sort of diagnosis. I basically self-diagnosed my own addiction while I was seeing the SW on another matter. I come across so articulate and functional (I think) that no one ever digs any deeper. I am currently in recovery and doing much better in my life, but I still struggle in certain areas. Signs/symptons overlap so much its hard to see where addiction begins and where AS fits in. The more I read about other peoples' experiences, the more I see myself though. Especially when I remember my school age years. So bloody painful!! ! I hated school. I never seemed to fit in anywhere! Sometimes, I still feel that way. I still have difficulty making new freinds and keeping old ones. When the friends I have move away, I don't necesarily replace them so right now I don't have any close friends.

gibbler67

High-functioning doesn't necessarily exclude you from having an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Here is a link to the best article I've read on adults with Asperger Syndrome. It's from the Asperger Association of New England.

Z

http://www.aane.org/asperger_resources/ ... dults.html

I have no addictions here, I even smoke on occasion and not once have I had a craving for a cigarette. When I was in Germany as an exchange student, I drank a LOT (the drinking age there is 16 for beer, 18 for hard spirits, although they don't card), yet when I returned home I didn't feel the need to drink.


My guess is that everyone is different with what it would take to get them addicted, just like no two aspies are really the same.

I have to leave for work in a few minutes but I do believe that there is not enough research on adults who have AS and many AS adults who have no official DX that makes some current research inaccurate.

I am DXed AS and had drinking addiction from 16-26. I drank to relieve social anxiety. I began drinking when my parents kicked me out of the house and I was angry and rebelous because of it. I don't think I would have drank so early, had I not been "evicted".It did go against my "beliefs"...I hated being around people who were drunk or stoned but once I realized that the chemicals made human interaction less stressful...I was hooked. Those 10 years make me appear almost "social". I did develop relationships with people I drank with that I would never have been able to meet sober. Once I got sober, this became increasingly difficult until I eventually gave up.


I think the current belief that "aspies are less likely to abuse drugs/alchohol" is based on a young population for people on the spectrum who could yet develop addictions.


After I got sober, my drinking addiction was replaced with my "interest addictions"...I had the same difficulties putting down the book to go to work as I did the bottle. I assumed that this was because I was an addictive personality...then I learned about Aspergers. I don't see much difference in the "addictitve personality model" and Aspergers interests that can cause difficulties compleating daily tasks or going to work because you can't put down the "interest". Internally, it feels the same to me.

You said it much better than I could, krex. I drink socially to make interaction more comfortable and am always afraid that I will get or am hooked. Those I know who are in AA tell me I'm nowhere near the addiction stage but I know that I need to be careful.

Z

Any person who finds activity or substance that he/she enjoys is likely to seek repetition of that experience. Also, some people swing between or go through phases of "all-or-nothing" behavior/habits/routines. I was against all the things my peers were into when I was teenager, but later on I relaxed my personal imperatives/injunctions. Glad I tried various things when in my youth (compared with now), at least I know what I do & don't have appetite for.

Here's a link to study on substance abuse in those with sensory modulation disorder (SMD), which can be present in people with ASD's. Study is of South African adults-it's so tough to find any research on adults anywhere, was pleased to find this even though it's few years old.
http://members.tripod.com/~Chrisfreu/ot ... roject.htm

speaking about adictions..i have been playing games and computers since iwas 6 its been giving good moments and a chance to develop my sosial skills when playing in net/gaming...these days im truly hardcore player and can easily spend 4hours whith good game

Only addictions that I can think of is the internet and video games. Video games has been a passion for me as a child and was a way for me to have fun since I hardly had any friends. But I don't nearly play it like I used too though. I do spend alot of time on the internet. Also I've been smoking for about 9 months.

I agree with masses so far posted re reasons why drink heavily for periods, ( I did for 10 years too, like Krex), or get stuck to habits good and bad etc. Interesting about link between SMD/sensory integration disorders, esp the defensive type of which I have several, and substance abuse.

Food allergy-addictions too, wheat, dairy, sugar, etc, have profoundly influenced my life.

But am wondering about one which has not been mentioned. I think that my use of language is like an addiction. It consumes/drives and perhaps limits me in similar ways to an addiction. Aspergers are supposed to be particularly pernickety about grammar, spelling, correcting language errors, taking language very seriously, truth, etc, and often precocious readers, talkers/monologuers.

In the past I have found myself reading cereal packets, and I used to think that I was addicted to reading, which I am. But now think that I am addicted to the whole virtual reality structure called language. I love playing in it. Can not drag myself way from it. Much prefer it to most other activities, and most of my life have only been able to connect with people as addicted as me, which as can imagine has not been very good for my sex life!

I simply can not stop using it.

through the years ive had several
food
not eating food
alcohol

pretty well anything you can shakea stick out. avodacos (up to 12 a day- ig ot fat- but had great skin), words, ways of walking, sitting etc, exercise ( up to 10 hours a day), foods, music, songs (used to make tapes of just one song)- current addiction- ebay. i have no money for a week and a half as i have just spent every penny i have on ebay stuff... i have no food at home... soo....
ill be thin but really really well dressed.