About

David Gray-Hammond

Autistic Mental Health and Addiction Advocate, Writer, Speaker, Consultant

I am available for consultations, podcasts, livestreams, and speaking requests regarding Autism, addiction, and mental health, and access to treatment services for adults experiencing addiction and mental health concerns. For more information click here

I am an Autistic person in recovery from addiction and psychosis.

I am currently a children and young person’s mentor for Gecko Community CIO, where I support neurodivergent young people with trauma and burnout. I am also working with Gecko to set up a project to support young substance users with matters of addiction and criminal exploitation.

I spent 3 years as an independent consultant, working with service commissioners in Brighton and Hove, representing the treatment rights of Autistic substance users. I sat on an advisory panel to help decide the current substance misuse services provider for Brighton and Hove. I also helped pilot a scheme to bring drug testing kits to student drug users in Brighton and Hove, helping them to know the purity of substances they were using and reduce accidental overdoses.

I have written extensively of my experiences as an autistic drug addict and alcoholic, and also of my experiences with complex mental health issues such as psychosis.

I was the Chief Operating Officer of NeuroClastic, Inc. for 18 months, and am currently a presenter and educator for Aucademy. I am also a team member at ‘seND support through an ND lense’ on Facebook.

I have conducted numerous consultations around autism, addiction, and mental health with both professionals and non-professionals. I have also spoken at conferences on the topic of autism and addiction.

I co-host the “Especially Interesting” podcast, and also have experience of setting up and executing conferences and speaking opportunities that platform Autistic voices.

I have been involved in two criminal justice campaigns pertaining to the unfair incarceration of Black Autistic people, and most recently I am a member of the Boycott Spectrum 10k team.

I have experience of youth work. I was a cadet sergeant for St John Ambulance, and also spent a year as a member of the National Youth Lead Team for the same organisation.

I was also formerly a director of Give Street Project CIC, an organisation that facilitates donation collection for front line organisations tackling food poverty and homelessness.

In my free time, I am a published poet, musician, and gamer.