Are people with AS predisposed to drug abuse?

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The most simple observation we as sufferers of AS can make is that, well, it's hard to fit in. It's very hard to make friends with this disease, you know, make connections or bonds with others. One solution I have often found worked is by sharing something with someone. A common bond, something you can do together and not have to be picky with who you're doing it with.

Now, drugs, if you do them, you aren't too worried who you do them with as long as they're not a cop, or some sort of hardcore gangbanger who's going to shoot you if you say something wrong. People who do drugs look for people, ultimately to use to abuse with, if anyone understands that. A junkie looks for someone who they can USE and help them, enable them to ABUSE. While at the same time, when their stash runs low, then the real sort-of usury begins. Like usury, lending at an exorbitant rate of interest, drug users think, "Well, if I share with him, he'll certainly share with me." And the cycle begins. It is very simple really. Drug users aren't that worried who they hang out with as long as they get high.

So who is the real loser here, the one using, or the one being used? The case could be made for either side, but I tend to think we as a whole are the real losers. Imagine, having to sink to that level to gain one crummy friend, who could never really give a rats ass about us, but their own selfish ambitions. It is a sorry life but at the same time, it is a sorry way to make friends, and unfortunately, for some of us, the only way.

No matter what clique we're apart of, SP, Christian, hippie, intellectual, coffee shop-type, they all follow the Golden Rule of Socializing: 'If he isn't like us, he's not one of us'. But we are not all alike. In theory the rule should be, "Treat others as you would have YOURSELF be treated," but in practice, it's the other way around. If the benefits are outweighed by the risk of what people will think, other's interpretation of the situation, or just your own selfish ambition, then you probably won't make a good match of friends.

Though the mainstream blatantly and openly rejects us, I'm sure there are good people in the world and a venue for everyone to speak their beliefs, no matter how outrageous.

I agree with some of what you said, disagree with other parts... but, I will just answer the original question and say yes I think people with AS are disposed to drug abuse, although ASers are probably prone to strict sobriety as well. Aspies have very addictive personalities, so those who do choose to use drugs (and there are many who seem to reach for drugs/drink as self-medication) are highly likely to abuse them. I have experienced this firsthand, unfortunately. It is very hard for me to drink/smoke/whatever responsibly... I almost always go overboard. It's just my nature - not only when it comes to drugs, but with everything. On the other hand, lots of aspies learn early on that drugs are not the answer and adopt a very strict rule of sobriety and look down on those who get high (the whole "rule enforcer" aspect of AS). Just my two cents.

I personally think it depends on the individual. I've only drank twice (new years eve and a small emotional breakdown), and I've never really felt compelled to use drugs.

I think the base theory you're referring to is that ASD people who don't have their symptoms regulated tend to self medicate. People of ANY spectrum who don't have troublesome symptoms regulated will tend to self medicate. So will monkeys given access to fermented fruit. Actually I think most animals that were bothered by something that found a way to "feel better" would take it.

I knew a lot of NT's who abused drugs, particularly alcohol. If we emulated them, I guess it would appear to be "fitting in". I never ingested any substance of any kind to "fit in" though, but I did sometimes change my mood by ingesting substances, ergo "self medication".

I understand what you are saying, but I HATE it when we are referred to as "sufferers of the disease Asperger's Syndome" with a passion. I do not think AS is a disease of any sort, more like a difference of thinking. And I do not think we "suffer" because suffer sounds like going through a sort of physical pain and we do not do so exactly. Sure, we can get harsh teasing, but come on! Does ANYBODY say that they are suffering because of their AS?! Come on people, give me your answers!! !! Doesn't suffer sound like a disease that we have to get rid of? Well?! -Power Girl

I suffer. I suffer everyday. But I am productive and prosperous in my suffering and am not afraid or ashamed of it. I'm sure many on here feel the same way.

Before I learned about Asperger's I had a rough time, I think a lot of us did, some still do. Since I've learned about it and embraced my strengths, the most suffering I do is when I have to bite my tongue at work rather than tell a complete moron what I think of them... because it would be "rude". How "rude" is it of them to cost my organization time and money, paid to them when they're not worth a plugged nickel? When we have to pay others to do the job this moron was SUPPOSED to do, but can't? "Keeping it in" can drive my blood pressure sky high, but I do it anyway, "to be polite". And I suffer the consequences....

I've had this problem. Although I am not diagnosed with a PDD or whatever, I've had severe problems trying to fit in which is what brought me into becoming an "alcoholic". I didn't like the fact that I was drinking, in fact I hated the taste of it but it helped me loosen up myself. Cocaine, a drug I very much do not recommend to anyone made me actually be a part of the of party.

I wouldn't do cocaine again. I'm afraid of the consequences. Liquor doesn't appeal to me and I constantly lose "friends" or make bad impressions because I will refuse to drink with them.

There are many reasons why marginalized people of any group would be at a higher risk for drug abuse than the general population.

My general trend to your question is yes. I self medicated for a long time. Didn't have a clue I was or why. It was mentioned to me by a pro very early on and didn't understand what or why he might be saying such a thing and I dismissed it and promptly forgot about it till much later.

Actually I'm pretty surprised there isn't more here then there is. I suspect it may be more prevalent in those that haven't discovered that they might be aspie, but I don't know for sure. I might be surprised at that suspicions answer too. I don't know for sure and haven't seen a poll with enough comments to know how prevalent it is, other then I don't see as much about it as I thought I would when I first arrived here.

The basic answer to the thread question is no - absolutely not predisposed. This is because being "predisposed" insinuates that it's a natural progression just because one has Aspergers.

The drug usage is a secondary issue which can arise from the symptoms that can arise from Aspergers socially. That is, trying to find a way to be accepted (per alcohol and cigarettes) or trying to find a medicated high because natural highs are absent. I've always been concious of how important natural highs are, and it's why I have always concentrated on that even before I was DXed with Aspergers. To that end I have not drunk one ounce of alchohol, smoked or taken any illicit drugs. I have also never relied on prescription drugs and only used them for non AS maladies.

This actually brings up something that I should mention next time I get the chance - either with the Autism State Plan in Victoria or with my pursuit of the committee enquiry by Canberra. The usage of meds when natural highs would be better - and support for special interests are the key to that IMHO.

I only did drugs because people told me I was on them all the time, and I got curious.

But I'm not internally disposed to do them, and aside from the one time period where I indulged my curiosity, I have no interest innately.

Despite this, I was forced on a number of psych drugs that I think were far more harmful to me than the illegal ones. (The illegal ones, despite heavy usage, left no lasting mark. The psych ones, even light or moderate usage left a lasting change.)

"Fitting in" is not the only reason for drug use. It is a common reason, among other reasons. Some people do drugs not to fit in but because it is the only thing that causes them to stop feeling suicidal and stop reliving traumatic memories . . . temporarily, of course, but it's better than nothing.

Kim, the use of drugs in the way you are talking about should only be temporary. If it's long term that's trouble with a capital T.