Okay, consider my mind blown. (Links between Autism and Alcohol)
07-25-2021, 04:14 AM (This post was last modified: 07-25-2021, 04:16 AM by Black Aeronaut. Edit Reason: typoe fix )
07-25-2021, 04:14 AM (This post was last modified: 07-25-2021, 04:16 AM by Black Aeronaut. Edit Reason: typoe fix )
Dropping this here because of the controversial nature of alcohol abuse.
So.
I've been off my meds for a bit simply because I haven't been able to go and get them refilled. WAAAYYYY too much to be done along the vein of, "If I don't do this, I'll become homeless soon." And I don't dare use the VA's online-order refill-via-mail system because that shit ships all the way from goddamned Dallas, TX. You'd think that San Antonio would have such a hub for itself, but nooooooooo.... And with something that important? There is SO MUCH THAT CAN GO WRONG on a 250+ miles long mail route, no matter what the mail carrier's motto says. It only says it will get there, not how soon.
Don't blame me, blame the system.
That said... I popped by a convenience store to indulge in something I've dearly missed because I've been on the meds for so long.
Angry Orchard.
Those who know it already know what I mean are probably salivating at the very mention. It is one of the most delicious mass-produced hard ciders out there.
So, here I am enjoying the nice fuzzy feeling that comes from imbibing a few bottles of my most favorite booze in the world when I get to thinking... "Hey, waituhminute. I move a helluva lot more smoothly when I'm a bit tipsy... even taking into account the slight dizziness. I also feel A LOT MORE AT EASE. Is there some kind of connection between Autism and Alcohol?"
Short answer? Yes.
Basically, alcohol "takes the edge off" that makes the world so difficult for people with autism to deal with. But like with any drug, alcohol can easily be abused. Which is why people with Autism (And especially people who have Autism and don't know it!) wind up becoming (functional?) alcoholics.
I don't believe that there've been any papers written on the matter just yet, but there is the article where I've gotten my info from...
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-gui...sm-alcohol
The author finishes with this bit...
Okay. Stop right there, lady.
There's a REASON why alcohol is an accepted social tool. For one thing, people have been brewing since the very beginnings of literal recorded history. And while it has been known to destroy individual lives, it has never been pinned as the root cause of a downfall of a society or anything as grandiose as that. By and large, alcohol on its own does no real harm because we've evolved with it. Even apes in the wild get drunk off their damn asses because they've been known to actively seek and consume fermented fruit.
You want to know what destroys lives? It's the factors that drive people to drink in the first place. Alcohol is a coping mechanism. You want to make sure it doesn't destroy lives? How about you do the doctorly thing and treat the disease instead of the symptoms.
Otherwise.... Just like with people with Autism, for Neurotypicals it lowers anxiety and stress. It's as close to being a literal lubricant for social situations as you can get. There's a reason why this shit is called "liquid courage" and that the name has stuck for literal centuries. To call it a social tool in such a snide manner... You might as well call your own trade a "social tool".
My thoughts on the matter going forward: alcohol is not a cure per say. But if carefully and thoughtfully managed? It can probably be a highly effective tool in coping for people with Autism. Witness the Ballmer Peak. In an industry that is absolutely inundated with Autistic people, it suddenly makes sense in a way that is both interesting... and maybe even a bit mildly terrifying.
Mark my words, this is something that absolutely MUST be studied thoroughly, and with great care for impartiality.
So.
I've been off my meds for a bit simply because I haven't been able to go and get them refilled. WAAAYYYY too much to be done along the vein of, "If I don't do this, I'll become homeless soon." And I don't dare use the VA's online-order refill-via-mail system because that shit ships all the way from goddamned Dallas, TX. You'd think that San Antonio would have such a hub for itself, but nooooooooo.... And with something that important? There is SO MUCH THAT CAN GO WRONG on a 250+ miles long mail route, no matter what the mail carrier's motto says. It only says it will get there, not how soon.
Don't blame me, blame the system.
That said... I popped by a convenience store to indulge in something I've dearly missed because I've been on the meds for so long.
Angry Orchard.
Those who know it already know what I mean are probably salivating at the very mention. It is one of the most delicious mass-produced hard ciders out there.
So, here I am enjoying the nice fuzzy feeling that comes from imbibing a few bottles of my most favorite booze in the world when I get to thinking... "Hey, waituhminute. I move a helluva lot more smoothly when I'm a bit tipsy... even taking into account the slight dizziness. I also feel A LOT MORE AT EASE. Is there some kind of connection between Autism and Alcohol?"
Short answer? Yes.
Basically, alcohol "takes the edge off" that makes the world so difficult for people with autism to deal with. But like with any drug, alcohol can easily be abused. Which is why people with Autism (And especially people who have Autism and don't know it!) wind up becoming (functional?) alcoholics.
I don't believe that there've been any papers written on the matter just yet, but there is the article where I've gotten my info from...
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-gui...sm-alcohol
The author finishes with this bit...
Quote:Ultimately, in my opinion, autistic people live well when they know themselves, their strengths and their limitations, and are able to navigate a path through a complex social and changeable world without needing to rely on harmful panaceas. For professionals I believe this should be the goal of support, especially in a world where alcohol is perceived as an accepted social tool.
Okay. Stop right there, lady.
There's a REASON why alcohol is an accepted social tool. For one thing, people have been brewing since the very beginnings of literal recorded history. And while it has been known to destroy individual lives, it has never been pinned as the root cause of a downfall of a society or anything as grandiose as that. By and large, alcohol on its own does no real harm because we've evolved with it. Even apes in the wild get drunk off their damn asses because they've been known to actively seek and consume fermented fruit.
You want to know what destroys lives? It's the factors that drive people to drink in the first place. Alcohol is a coping mechanism. You want to make sure it doesn't destroy lives? How about you do the doctorly thing and treat the disease instead of the symptoms.
Otherwise.... Just like with people with Autism, for Neurotypicals it lowers anxiety and stress. It's as close to being a literal lubricant for social situations as you can get. There's a reason why this shit is called "liquid courage" and that the name has stuck for literal centuries. To call it a social tool in such a snide manner... You might as well call your own trade a "social tool".
My thoughts on the matter going forward: alcohol is not a cure per say. But if carefully and thoughtfully managed? It can probably be a highly effective tool in coping for people with Autism. Witness the Ballmer Peak. In an industry that is absolutely inundated with Autistic people, it suddenly makes sense in a way that is both interesting... and maybe even a bit mildly terrifying.
Mark my words, this is something that absolutely MUST be studied thoroughly, and with great care for impartiality.
