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Being Neurodivergent, I am forced to mask and hide my true identity as to not seem weak. It is tiring and exhausting, having to watch every single move I make. Alcoholism and substance abuse took the edge off and helped me not think about all my stresses. It was unhealthy, yes, but it was so easily accessible and so normalized in my life that it became so natural. I only had one friend I could talk to this at the time, and I am thankful for all that they have done. But not everyone who walked the same path as me can say the same. Many neurodivergent people are alone battling substance abuse, suffering and afraid to reach out. Society never associates neurodivergent people and substance abusers, but they exist. I seek to answer the question: Why is there such a silence around neurodivergent people and their substance abuse?

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Increased Risk for Substance Use-Related Problems in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

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Increased Risk for Substance Use-Related Problems in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

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Butwicka, Agnieszka, et al. “Increased Risk for Substance Use-Related Problems in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Population-Based Cohort Study.” Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, vol. 47, no. 1, 2017, pp. 80–89, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-016-2914-2.

This Article uses a Swedish-based demographic to analyze the comorbidity (having multiple diagnoses) of substance-abuse disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder. The researchers analyzed people who are diagnosed with ASD and Substance-Abuse, and their families. Doing a deeper dive into the article, the results show that people with ASD who have parents with substance abuse did have a high risk of substance-abuse. I intend to use this data to connect back to my family history with substance abuse. My Father and Grandfather both have had substance-use problems and alcohol abuse problems. Their risk definitely affected my risk, especially when my environmental factors are being exposed to substances so early.

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Contra Costa Community College District - Portal Access

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Personal Recovery in Individuals Diagnosed with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Co-Occurring Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

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Personal Recovery in Individuals Diagnosed with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Co-Occurring Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

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Kronenberg, Linda M., et al. “Personal Recovery in Individuals Diagnosed with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Co-Occurring Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).” Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, vol. 29, no. 4, 2015, pp. 242–48, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnu.2015.04.006.

This article goes in depth of the pathway to helping those with a "dual diagnosis" of SUD (Substance Use Disorder) and other diagnoses. There were some helpful sections about how the patients ended up in treatment, and what they were thing and experiencing. There are reports of "society" being in crisis, and also lives being on hold. I intend to connect what they experienced to what I am experiencing currently. I also intend to use this point to say "we need to recognize this struggle and fear" and to normalize the treatment to make aware to others. I want to write something that will help others recognize their own patterns in life and hopefully spark change.

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Killing them softly: Addiction is the silent killer of the autistic and neurodivergent community

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Killing them softly: Addiction is the silent killer of the autistic and neurodivergent community

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Gray-Hammond, David. "Killing Them Softly: Addiction Is The Silent Killer Of The Autistic And Neurodivergent Community." Neuroclastic. 1 March 2020. https://neuroclastic.com/killing-them-softly-addiction-is-the-silent-killer-of-the-autistic-and-neurodivergent-community/ Accessed 5 may 2025.

This Article speaks about the silence around neurodivergence and addiction. The author speaks about what society is currently doing (which isn't enough), and how we can change. I used this source in a previous paragraph I wrote, as I used it as a reason why people with neurodivergence do not speak up about their addictions. They bring up a point about being seen as" morally failing", both as a substance abuser, and a person with neurodivergence. I plan to use this to speak upon my personal experience, as I have experienced that light from others.

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Killing them softly: Addiction is the silent killer of the autistic and neurodivergent community

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“We live in a world where both neurodivergent behaviours and addiction are seen as a moral failing. This makes opening up next-to-impossible without significant risk of negative repercussions…

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Understanding the substance use of autistic adolescents and adults: a mixed-methods approach

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Understanding the substance use of autistic adolescents and adults: a mixed-methods approach

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Weir, Elizabeth et al. "Understanding The Substance Use Of Autistic Adolescents and Adults: A Mixed-Methods Approach." The Lancet Psychiatry, Volume 8, Issue 8, 673 - 685. 1 July 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(21)00160-7Accessed 17 May 2025.

This article did a research on to why people with ASD used substances. They used data from an online questionnaire, which was part of a bigger study of the Autism and Physical Health Survey. It was administered to people with and without ASD, between the ages of 16-60. There are a lot of personal accounts that were written down in the article. They also mapped out reasons why people with ASD would use substances. I plan to use these personal accounts and reasons to connect to my own life.