Is this linked to my DS’s autism?

[lillyroses]

I’ve name changed for this, I don’t want this to come across the wrong way. So in short my DS who is 21 and autistic has never drank alcohol ever. He says the thought of alcohol makes him very nervous and being drunk would be something he would want to avoid at all costs. This made me wonder If you’re autistic are you less likely to drink alcohol? Also do you think my DS’s response to it is linked at all to his autism? I know of course you can choose not to drink and not be autistic but it’s my DS fear of it and being drunk that just made me wondered.

My niece is autistic and she feels exactly the same as your DS does about alcohol, so she doesn't drink at all. She doesn't like the thought of feeling out of control. She's 23.

I think people with or without Autism drink alcohol for different reasons, some people like it, others don't like the way it feels for them. Autism doesn't make you less likely to like alcohol but if you wanted to mega analyse it I would say that maybe your son has heard that alcohol can make you less in control of your emotions and actions and he might feel that he would feel worse by drinking it. TBH if he doesn't want to drink alcohol maybe just view it as a good thing? Maybe he's heard a bad thing about something which happened to someone who drank alcohol? You won't know unless you talk to him about it, but it doesn't really matter in the scheme of things. I'd be happy to have a son who was tee total, autistic or not.

My little brother is autistic and he's the opposite. He likes the drink a bit too much. He was all very never going to drink ect ect. But family member are alcoholics so it was seen as normal.

I have the same views as your son. I never drink.

I’m not autistic, that I know of!

A lot of autistic people I gave worked with day the same yes

Look up the prediction theory of autism - if you imagine the world is inherently unpredictable then being drunk would be terrifying. I guess however on the flip side some people might use it as an escape like everyone else does

Some people with ASD are like this, my DC included. Many others tend to self medicate with alcohol in an attempt to alleviate the debilitating anxiety that tends to go hand in hand with ASD. This can escalate quickly into a problem. Its a good thing that your DS doesn't want to drink & long may it continue.

I'm autistic and I drink. I'm someone that can drink a lot of whiskey and come across as completely sober (apparently - I don't feel it!).

My ds has autism and likes a drink. From what I can tell, the difference between him and his neuro-typical friends is when my ds feels ‘tipsy’ he stops drinking, gets himself some food and takes himself off to bed; he doesn’t get absolutely wankered.

I did read a study once that said that people with ASD are more likely to shun things like cigarettes, alcohol or drugs because they do not react to peer pressure the same way neuro-typical people do. But each person with ASD is an individual in their own right and are able to make those decisions for themselves.

I feel that way about smoking and drugs.
Maybe its to do with rules?
Or they can more stongly remember all the bad things said about stuff so dont want to start.
The worry about drinking too much and being sick after the first time stopped me doing that again.

Dh is autistic and doesn't drink, for similar reasons to your ds.

I don't drink either, haven't been able to stand the taste of it since being pregnant with my youngest.

Probably, but I'm sure some non-autistic people feel the same. Ultimately he's just an individual making quite a rational, sensible choice. Being teetotal should never require an explanation.

My DD1 (17)has recently been diagnosed (although I have known since she started at school - it’s been an issue with her dad and of course, girls mask it.). She has always been very vocal about alcohol. She hates the smell and the idea. Even though she’s not 18 yet (legal age where we live) I offered her a sip of champagne on NYE. You would have thought I’d offered her a crack pipe.

I believe there is a correlation between alcoholism and autism.
Many use alcohol to sooth their sensory overload and anxiety symptoms.
Guess alcohol imbibing is a spectrum, just like the asd?

I'm autistic and the opposite. I love drinking, going out etc.

@Bagel88
yes thats why I drink, it eases my extreme social anxiety and awkwardness, makes me feel normal, eases sensory overload

My 18 daughter - drugs are a big no no for her she really doesn’t like the idea. She does drink though but will stop once she tipsy - as others mentioned she doesn’t like the thought of being out of control . She often happily ends up as designated driver! I’m not sure if she does drink a little just to bit stand out. Unclear if it’s due to autism or just her personality, but she seems happy and no pressure from her friends to have a smoke or drink more.

I used alcohol for years to cope - I'm autistic.

6 years sober.

@anewchapterishere

Look up the prediction theory of autism - if you imagine the world is inherently unpredictable then being drunk would be terrifying. I guess however on the flip side some people might use it as an escape like everyone else does

My first thought was that the thought of alcohol and what it can do to someone could be terrifying to those on the spectrum.

My ds is the same.

I'm sure he has his own reasons but there being a link could be pretty likely.

I know quite a few autistic people who swing one way or the other - seems to be more the men who refuse to drink interestingly. I think the idea of being totally out of control is terrifying especially for those who like predictability, but the social lubricant side of things is definitely attractive.

I'm an average drinker but when I was younger I was prone to getting really wasted when I was nervous, it was like I suddenly knew what to do and say. I have a completely healthy relationship with alcohol but still think I only operate at "normal person level" after a glass of wine haha.

Maybe the tendency for black-and-white thinking makes it easier for the whole "alcohol = bad" thing to be more ingrained, plus the potential of becoming angry/upset/having a meltdown while drunk could be really scary.

Lots of people with ASD have comorbid issues as well which might inadvertently cause them not to drink - I'm severely afraid of being sick and it's always on my mind when I have more than a couple of drinks or hanging around drunk people.

Basically he's got his own morals and opinions outside of autism but a number of reasons could make it more likely!

I have never been drunk and I'm in my 60s. I would never want to not know what I was doing/had done. Does this mean I'm autistic? I do seriously wonder sometimes but wouldn't know how to go about finding out. I do have some very weird traits.

I'm autistic and I drink very rarely, but stop after one or two and in my 45 years have never been 'drunk'. For me, it's definitely the loss of control thing that's very unappealing.

My DN has ‘mild’ autism and feels ‘normal’ after a couple of shots - but he’s really careful about when and where he takes them. It’s usually before a big meeting. He doesn’t have other MH issues though & has a really protective gf who keeps an eye on things

@stillcrazyafterall

I have never been drunk and I'm in my 60s. I would never want to not know what I was doing/had done. Does this mean I'm autistic? I do seriously wonder sometimes but wouldn't know how to go about finding out. I do have some very weird traits.

I am autistic and I have been drunk to the point of memory loss a few times! It isn't a screening question luckily. GP is first port of call but you could try some of the online screening tools.

This is one of them. Bear in mind it's quite dated and biased towards men and boys but it's still widely used by clinicians as part of the diagnostic process.

psychology-tools.com/test/autism-spectrum-quotient