Below is a survey on Autistic people and substance use. The aim is to collate data anonymously on the use of drugs and alcohol in the Autistic community, and use that data to write a report that will be published on this website. The hope is that these insights may help Autistic people better advocateContinue reading “Autistic Substance Use Survey 2022”
Tag Archives: addict
The weight of recovery
As many of you know if you have followed this website for a period of time, I am in recovery from addiction and psychosis. I have spoken extensively of my experiences from when these things were in an active state for me, but today I want to zoom in on the experience of recovery. Recovery.Continue reading “The weight of recovery”
Addiction advocacy and the inspiration paradox: A reflection at 6 years sober
Today I am 6 years sober from addiction. During those six years I have learnt many lessons, but in this reflection I would like to consider something that has played on my mind for the past three years of my advocacy work. Inspiration. While not overtly a bad thing, it is often misused to infantiliseContinue reading “Addiction advocacy and the inspiration paradox: A reflection at 6 years sober”
On the harsh reality of addiction recovery
My years of active addiction account for a lot of the suffering that myself, my friends, and my family experienced. The very fact that I am alive right now is some sort of miracle, yet to be explained by science. I remember trying to picture what recovery would look like, it was difficult to imagine.Continue reading “On the harsh reality of addiction recovery”
Autistic people and the social model of addiction
For the better part of a century now, addiction has been treated largely as a matter of criminal justice, with some focus on medical treatment. Unfortunately this approach leaves a considerable amount out of the discussion. Addiction is a complex matter, with a lot of it coming down to socio-economic issues. As an Autistic addict,Continue reading “Autistic people and the social model of addiction”
Addiction, mental health, and my fear of relapse
I have spoken extensively about my struggles with addiction and psychosis. I have talked about what it was like to be in that headspace. I have talked about what it was like to enter recovery. What I haven’t spoken much about is my headspace 5 years on. Addiction and psychosis were terrifying experiences, but truthfullyContinue reading “Addiction, mental health, and my fear of relapse”
How can substance use services be more accessible to Autistic clients?
I have written before about the barriers to accessing substance use services when you are both autistic, and an addict; today I’m going to approach from a different angle. In this post, I will be talking about a few things that such services can do to increase accessibility, improving the quality of treatment that autisticContinue reading “How can substance use services be more accessible to Autistic clients?”
5 lessons I have learned in 5 years of sobriety
Today (7th April 2021) I have been sober from drug and alcohol addiction for five years. In that time I have faced many challenges and learnt many lessons. In this piece, I hope to share some of those lessons with you. 1. Not everything will be perfect once you get sober. Addiction is am absoluteContinue reading “5 lessons I have learned in 5 years of sobriety”
Filming addicts in crisis is a form of violence
I remember some years ago when the drug known as “spice” was sweeping through my country. Not only were the tabloids having a field day, and not only were people filming addicts on the street under the influence, I was using it. It was a relatively common sight in some cities. Individuals helplessly and mindlesslyContinue reading “Filming addicts in crisis is a form of violence”
Why is the moral model of addiction so prevalent?
As previously discussed, the moral model of addiction, in which addiction is seen as a moral failing, is inadequate for our understanding of addiction and formulating a means to approach it. Despite this, the moral model of addiction remains prolific throughout multiple cultures globally. Why is this? In my opinion, its prevalence can be broughtContinue reading “Why is the moral model of addiction so prevalent?”
Emergent Divergence 