Already Clean - Adult ASD Treatment vs More Drug Rehab?

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Already Clean - Adult ASD Treatment vs More Drug Rehab?
Adult ASD Treatment [also drug-free!] 20%  20%  [ 1 ]
Drug Rehab 80%  80%  [ 4 ]
Total votes : 5

andyofandyland
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14 Jan 2018, 3:45 pm

I'm a 39yo ASD, grew up in rural PA outside Philly, graduated college and grad school and lived independently (and ostensibly, quite successfully) from age 18-33 mostly in NYC, traveled the world and such. Mental health arising primarily from undiagnosed ASD caught up with me, I had a breakdown that's returned me to primarily living with my parents' in PA since then.

I had problems with opioids, got treatment, and quit, and after 4 years unemployed, I returned to work for these past 3 years while mostly living more independently with my cousin. But the work was excessively "accommodating"--I eventually worked entirely from home, and to cope I also returned to opioids on and off, which ultimately spiraled out of control. So I halted my job, did voluntary inpatient detox, and returned to living with my parents. The detox hospital booted me after insurance stopped paying at day 12 and since I was still exceptionally physically weak, the transition to a possible rehab was delayed as I recover instead at my parents' house--

I'm currently at day 27 clean overall. We are searching for rehab options for soon as I'm well enough, and parents plan to lend copayment to do a 30-day drug rehab locally. It's clear to me how challenges from the underlying, long-undiagnosed ASD led to my mental health issues and ultimately to drug use, so it occurs to me that I might do better to ask my parents to redirect their pending support into finally a formal diagnosis and treatment of the root issue, ASD. I'd previously found some kind of adult ASD retreats or boot camps, so to speak, and was wondering if anyone would be so kind as to let me know of any possibly relevant program, and any thoughts on the pending decision between the two paths are great as well.

Thanks!
Andy



Last edited by andyofandyland on 14 Jan 2018, 4:40 pm, edited 7 times in total.

SplendidSnail
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14 Jan 2018, 4:02 pm

It really sucks that you're in a position where you're having to choose one or the other. Both seem very important to me.

However, if you truly have no choice but to choose one or the other, I'd say getting off drugs is more important. Even if you deal with the ASD, if you're still addicted to and using drugs, that to me seems like a far worse position to be in than having undiagnosed/untreated ASD.


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Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder / Asperger's Syndrome.


SH90
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14 Jan 2018, 4:10 pm

I am not sure about ASD retreats, never heard of them. But for now concentrate on getting drug free. As for ASD treatment, look into a local therapist who specializes in adults with ASD (you may have travel, even in a medium size city). The therapist can also help with drug abuse. Best of luck my friend :wtg: