Is There A Link Between Autism And Alcoholism

In England, there are around 602,391 individuals struggling with alcohol dependency. There are also around 700,000 people on the autistic spectrum in the UK. Due to these conditions’ prevalence, a proportion of individuals are statistically likely to live with both. The situational, social, and emotional factors associated with developing symptoms of alcohol abuse may also be identified among individuals on the autistic spectrum. This means that the specific types of discomfort and distress that some individuals with autism experience can mirror – or even, in some cases, lead to – problems with alcohol. But why does this link seem to exist? How do we define both autism and alcohol addiction? And, if both conditions are present, how does that impact what happens in a rehab centre?

How do we define autism?

The National Autistic Society defines autism as ‘a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world.’ Autism is an umbrella term. That is because we can think of autism as existing on a spectrum. All individuals with a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) experience their autism differently and, therefore, may have different challenges and a wide range of support needs.

In general, however, when a diagnosis of autism is given, it usually refers to specific experiences in the following areas:

• Social communication and social interaction challenges
• Repetitive and restrictive behaviour
• Over or under sensitivity to sensory input
• Highly focused hobbies (or special interests)
• Extreme anxiety
• Meltdowns and shutdowns

More than 1 in 100 people have a diagnosis of autism.

In 2018, it was estimated that around 0.82% (463,500) of the population were diagnosed with autism, with a further 0.77 – 2.12% of individuals (between 435,700 and 1,197,300) living undiagnosed.

How do we define alcoholism?

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) as ‘a medical condition characterised by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences.’ Like Autism Spectrum Disorder, AUD encompasses a range of diagnoses, which can be classified as ‘mild’, ‘moderate’, or ‘severe.

The key symptoms of an Alcohol Use Disorder include:

• Experiencing withdrawal
• Regularly drinking more or for longer than intended
• Struggling to quit or reduce drinking
• Drinking takes up a large proportion of your time
• Reduced engagement with other activities
• Continued drinking despite physical and psychological health effects

In England, there are around 602,391 people who are dependent on alcohol. Among these individuals, around 82% are not currently in active treatment.

Potential challenges

As individuals, we all face challenges that are specific to us. However, with diagnosable conditions, these challenges can feel more prominent and therefore have a pronounced effect on our lives.

Challenges associated with autism

• Social isolation
• Anxiety and depression
• Difficulty in interpersonal relationships
• Rigid routine leading towards avoidance
• Difficulty retaining employment
• Associated financial difficulties
• Difficulties living independently
• Difficulties around nutrition and sleep
• Risk of engaging in self-harming behaviour
• Increased mortality rate
• Autistic individuals are 9x more likely to die by suicide than non-autistic individuals

Challenges associated with alcoholism

• Social isolation
• Mental health issues
• Difficulty in interpersonal relationships
• Difficulty retaining employment
• Associated financial difficulties
• Difficulties around nutrition and sleep
• Risk of engaging in self-harming behaviour
• Increased mortality rate

Is there a link between autism and alcoholism?

We can see that despite autism and alcohol addiction being very disparate conditions, the ways that they impact our mental health, social wellbeing, and general quality of life can sometimes mirror each other. Whilst the reasons behind these effects may be different, they can sometimes have the same impact on our lives. But that means we must think about if so many individuals may be experiencing similar symptoms across autism and addiction experiences. Is there a way that these two conditions may be linked?

Why might the two be linked?

There are many reasons why autism and addiction may be linked. Indeed, researchers have started to consider why autistic individuals may be more likely to experience addiction than the general population. These include:

• The use of alcohol as a coping mechanism for autistic individuals
• The role of co-morbid mental health conditions
• The use of alcohol to self-soothe or manage sensory or environmental overwhelm
• The need for routine and repetitiveness
• Lack of access to appropriate support
• Difficulty managing emotions and distress
• Difficulty managing physical health symptoms
• Lack of access to information on what autism is and how to manage difficulties
• Disabled individuals are more likely to experience bullying
• Autistic individuals are more likely to experience sexual abuse, assault, or domestic violence

A high number of individuals receive their autism diagnosis later on in life. This can mean that into teens or even into adulthood, individuals with autism may be unable to understand why they feel different to those around them. This can lead to intense emotional distress and, in some cases, even experiences of trauma.

All of these factors can lead to the development of an addiction as a way of coping with the social, emotional and psychological difficulties linked with day-to-day autistic life.

Seeking support for autism and alcohol addiction

Accessing addiction treatment can be very overwhelming for every one. However, if you are autistic, you may have additional worries and concerns. You may be concerned about what addiction treatment looks like or what happens in rehab day-to-day. The best foundation upon which to build recovery is one that looks at the person as a whole. This means that rehab will address your relationship with alcohol but will also think about what may underlie these tendencies towards heavy drinking. This means that alongside more standard forms of support, such as alcohol counselling, you may also spend some time learning more about autism and how it colours your life. This focus aims to help you move forward with a better understanding of yourself, nurture acceptance, and ultimately provide you with a set of tools to help you cope after rehab without alcohol.

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