Autism & Addiction

On its own, Autism can present several challenges for individuals who have this disorder—including sensitivity to stimuli and difficulty understanding social cues. In addition, recent studies indicate a potential link between Autism and developing substance use disorder. One study reports that about 50% of autistic people deal with substance abuse or addiction at some point. But what is the connection? And as a parent or autistic individual, should you be concerned?

What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism is officially known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and is considered a developmental disability. Individuals with ASD differ from the general population in how they learn, interact with others, and process the world around them. Autism affects nearly 1 in 54 children in the US.

ASD is a spectrum disorder, meaning a full spectrum of symptoms and severity occurs with this disorder. Previously, clinicians and the overall medical community included a few different developmental disorders under the umbrella of Autism, including:

  • Asperger’s Syndrome*
  • Pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)
  • Autistic Disorder
  • Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
  • Rett’s Syndrome

However, in 2013 the DSM changed its classification of Autism Spectrum Disorder and what falls into that diagnosis. The DSM-5 now categorizes individuals with ASD based on the severity of their symptoms.

Individuals diagnosed with ASD are into one of three groups:

  • Autism Level 1: Often considered high-functioning Autism; may have difficulty with social interaction; might struggle to switch between activities; can have a more challenging time staying organized and maintaining a schedule.
  • Autism Level 2: Requires a higher level of support than Level 1, with significant impairments in communication (may even be non-verbal); generally inflexible when it comes to change, struggles significantly with adjusting focus; repetitive behaviors may be noticeable to the casual observer.
  • Autism Level 3: Sometimes called “severe Autism,” significant support is usually required. Minimal communication skills, and will often be completely non-verbal; considerable difficulty coping with change, and disruptions to routine can be highly distressing; very noticeable repetitive behaviors.

Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism usually appears in adolescents around age three, but autistic traits can present as early as 12 months old. Some main symptoms of autism include:

  • Intellectual disability (such as issues with abstract thinking, academic learning, problem-solving, planning, and so on)
  • Difficulties with social interaction
  • Difficulty communicating (some autistic individuals may be non-verbal altogether)
  • Obsession with particular interests
  • Great attention to detail
  • Easily overstimulated (from light, sounds, crowds, etc.)
  • Inconsistent or minimal eye contact
  • Language regression (children under 3)
  • Repetitive motor movements (sometimes referred to as “stimming”)

While intellectual impairment can be a common trait for autistic people, it is not always the case. Some autistic people have a very high IQ compared to the general population. Many qualified individuals in the mental health field believe Albert Einstein was autistic, though he was never officially diagnosed. Similarly, renowned entrepreneur and brilliant innovator Elon Musk confirmed his ASD diagnosis in May 2021.

Autism As a “Superpower”

It’s worth noting that much of the Autism community—including those diagnosed with ASD and their loved ones—don’t like to consider Autism as a disorder. While ASD certainly creates unique challenges for those that have it, Autism also presents many strengths alongside its potential difficulties. Several symptoms of Autism are also strengths in many ways. As an example, autistic individuals with great attention to detail (one of Autism’s main side effects) can excel in exercises that require someone’s intense focus. For instance, Chess Grandmaster Bobby Fischer was a prodigy in the chess world, beginning his professional chess career at only eight years old. Many psychiatrists have pointed out that he displayed many characteristics of someone with ASD. His ability to hyperfocus likely lent itself to his masterful talent for beating opponent after opponent in a game as complex as chess. Many other famous individuals have ASD (or are likely autistic) and have profoundly impacted our world using their unique skill sets.

Additional autistic traits that can be viewed as strengths:

  • Strong short- and long-term memory skills
  • Able to learn quickly with strong visual and auditory learning skills
  • Often punctual
  • Strong logical thinking skills; not easily overwhelmed or distracted by strong emotion
  • Can excel in school, especially in logical subjects (math, science, engineering, etc.)
  • Strong memorization skills
  • Great attention to detail
  • Honest and reliable
  • Learning to read at an early age
  • Reliable and dependable
  • Excellent sense of direction
  • Can concentrate/focus for long periods
  • Strong compliance with rules
  • Excellent at devising unique, alternate solutions to problems
  • Views the world with an ongoing sense of wonder and awe

Sometimes the Autism community refers to Autism’s unique traits as “superpowers.” These individuals focus on the positive aspects of ASD rather than its challenges.

Psychiatric Comorbidity and Autism

It’s not uncommon for an individual with ASD to receive a dual diagnosis that includes a mental disorder. An estimated 84% of autistic people also deal with some type of anxiety problem. There also seems to be a high prevalence of autistic individuals with OCD.

The most common mental health conditions that appear alongside an Autism diagnosis are:

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Depression
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Social Anxiety Disorder
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Schizophrenia
  • Eating Disorders (e.g., Binge-Eating Disorder, Anorexia, Bulimia, and Pica)

Treatment for Autism will include a type of therapy or counseling to help people with ASD manage some of their symptoms to function better in their daily lives. Therapy can be even more helpful for autistic individuals with psychiatric comorbidity as counseling can provide them with critical support for both disorders.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), for instance, is a method of psychiatry that focuses on identifying problematic or disruptive thoughts and behaviors, then working with a therapist to reframe these negative habits into healthier coping mechanisms and behaviors.

Statistical Data About Comorbidity With Autism

The organization Autism Speaks reports the following data about some of the common mental health conditions that occur alongside Autism:

  • Eating problems affect roughly 70% of autistic children
  • Between 30% to 60% of autistic people also have ADHD
  • An estimated 42% of autistic people also deal with an anxiety disorder, particularly social anxiety
  • Depression affects 7% of autistic children and 26% of autistic adults
  • OCD is more common in autistic teens and adults compared to the general population

What is Addiction?

Addiction is a degenerative disease classified as an obsession with a substance or activity despite negatively impacting that individual’s life. Individuals struggling with chronic alcohol abuse or drug addiction typically have what is known as substance use disorder (SUD) and are unable to control their drug or alcohol use.

However, inappropriate alcohol and/or drug use are not the only habits that can lead to an addiction. The National Institute of Health explains that behavioral addictions can be just as detrimental as substance addiction and may create significant negative consequences for the individual. Some common behavioral addictions include:

  • Pornography
  • Gambling
  • Food
  • Shopping
  • Exercise
  • Sex
  • Video Games
  • Internet and/or Social Media
  • Plastic Surgery

Behavioral addictions occur when a person becomes obsessed with the feelings they get from participating in a specific behavior, such as shopping or playing online video games, to the detriment of their well-being. Behavioral addiction is more than a hobby that a person frequently indulges in; behavioral addictions disrupt people’s lives, causing harm to their health, jobs, relationships, and so on.