I haven’t spoken extensively about it, but my life has been one of extensive trauma. Not necessarily one consistently traumatic experience (although I’ve had my share), no, I have been- as most would put it- very unlucky. I have rolled from one traumatic experience to another. These traumas set the stage for my mental healthContinue reading “Lessons I have learned about trauma”
Category Archives: Mental Health
Undiagnosed: inpatient treatment, pre-diagnosis
Something I haven’t spoken about in great detail is the experiences I have had in an inpatient psychiatric facility. There was good and bad in the experience, but unfortunately, it was overall, quite traumatic. I have been an inpatient twice in my life, the first was because I required an inpatient detox to help meContinue reading “Undiagnosed: inpatient treatment, pre-diagnosis”
Emotional Sobriety: the crux of recovery
The journey through recovery takes several important steps. First you must stop engaging with your addiction, in my case, stop using drink and drugs. Next you must learn to live without your addictions. Then, you need to create a life where it is easier not to go back to your addictions. There is, however, anotherContinue reading “Emotional Sobriety: the crux of recovery”
Issues with the moral model of addiction
The best known models for addiction currently are disease models, and yet currently we live in a world where addiction is seen as a moral failing. Cultures all around the world treat addicts with hatred and disdain. Even our own governments have been known to paint us as drains on society, undeserving of support, andContinue reading “Issues with the moral model of addiction”
An introduction to novel psychoactives
Novel psychoactive (NPA) substances formed a large part of my drug use, and yet many people have not heard of them. NPAs exist in a legal grey area in most countries and represent a significant risk of harm. What are NPAs? A simple explanation is that an NPA is chemically similar to an illicit substance,Continue reading “An introduction to novel psychoactives”
The relationship between autism and cannabis use
Spend even a little while in the autistic community, and you will begin to notice that cannabis is a very popular drug for this particular demographic. Ranging from recreational, infrequent use, all the way to daily (what would be clinically described as “habitual”) use. Cannabis is probably one of the least harmful drugs in termsContinue reading “The relationship between autism and cannabis use”
Society and its relationship with alcohol
This one is a spur of the moment post. I just read about Macmillan’s “Go sober” campaign to raise money for people affected by cancer. In principle this is a great endeavour. People drinking less is great for public health, and it’s raising money for a worthy cause. You can understand then why I wasContinue reading “Society and its relationship with alcohol”
Simple acts of Radical Kindness: Maintaining my own wellbeing
As those who have followed my writing will know, I have a number of complex mental health issues as well as being an autistic addict in recovery. I am coping with the fallout of those mental health issues more often than not. For this reason, I have had to develop a toolbox full of copingContinue reading “Simple acts of Radical Kindness: Maintaining my own wellbeing”
[GUEST POST] On I walk: An autistic story of exercise addiction
Written by Ginny Grant It’s COVID isolation mark one. We’re allowed out for exercise each day but my brain – needing something certain to latch onto in these uncertain times – heard ‘We … I must exercise each day’. And so I walk the streets of my inner-city neighbourhood. Along noisy secondary roads, past theContinue reading “[GUEST POST] On I walk: An autistic story of exercise addiction”
Surviving and recovering from the holidays and avoiding autistic burnout
Out of the last 48 hours, I have just spent 22 of those hours preparing and cooking Christmas dinner to be delivered to 30 vulnerable people in my home city. I do this every year, and it takes everything I have to do it. Whatever your traditions for this time of year, there is oneContinue reading “Surviving and recovering from the holidays and avoiding autistic burnout”
Emergent Divergence 