Asperger's and addictions?

Post Reply New Topic

I have Aspergers but can't say I've developed any addictions - but I'm wondering if they tend to have a higher, lower or same incidence of addiction as the NT population...? Taken on their own, I would postulate that having an ASD and having an addiction are completely independent phenomena, but it's clinical depression (and anxiety) resulting from Aspergers as a secondary symptom, or dealing with harassment or berating etc that might compel one to become addicted. Be it to alcohol, drugs, gambling or porn...or over-eating of unhealthy foods...I could see it happening. I know there is also a link between executive function and addictions, as the former deals with inhibition of the latter e.g. such as eating a big slice of chocolate cake while on a diet, as the example on Wikipedia says for executive functioning. Asperger people are known for executive function, but I've always been able to show due restraint for indulgence except for one period in my life in my mid-20s.

I have wondered if addiction was correlated with a feeling of hopelessness.

Sociopaths(ASPD) are the main ones that have a tendency to develop addictions to alcohol, hard-drugs, and porn. It mainly comes from their lack of a conscience and thinking in extreme-terms about everything.

I don't quite know what you're saying, but I do know that it is not another ''Aspie thing'' to get addicted to things. I know lots of NTs that are so addicted to smoking that they put smoking above everything and have this strange attitude, like when they go out for a fag in freezing cold temperatures they say ''it's not that cold'', but they would say ''it's too cold!'' for any other reason of going outside, except for going outside to have a fag.

People with lower self-esteem (trust me, there are plenty of NTs out there with lower self-esteem) find it hard to give up smoking, drinking, overeating, or drugs, than those with higher self-esteem, but even those with higher self-esteem can still struggle when setting limits to their addictions.

Also there are a lot of alcoholics about, and plenty of drug-dealers too, giving drugs to those that are addicted to drugs.

I do hate it when people think that this and that is to do with Asperger's. Trust me, NTs get addicted to these things just as much as Aspies do. Here's a link about smoking, drinking and drug addictions. http://brainz.org/10-most-common-addictions/

I know that as part of my neurological difference I have had issues with Serotonin. I'm not a neuroscientist so I don't fully understand it but I have been on an SSRI most of my life to correct the inbalance of Serotonin.

I have heard that Serotonin has a role in addiction but I forget what that role is exactly.

If there are differences in Serotonin levels among people with AS then maybe there would be a difference in addiction vulnerability.

Autistic people do tend to become addicts more easily, at least in part due to their obsessive tendencies and tendencies towards routines. When an autistic person finds something they like, it often becomes part of a routine. If it's a potentially harmful substance like drugs or alcohol, that can easily become an addiction.