DeathBox

I wanted to make this thread so I could ask other neurodiverse individuals what the experience is like, coming from being an alcoholic and venturing into sobriety. Neurotypicals typically have a more cut and dry point of view compared to some of us who are on the spectrum (which is actually pretty cool, IMO) but I feel like neurodiverse people might be able to touch on a few specifics (although anybody's insight is highly appreciated, considering a lot of these issues affect people inside and outside of the spectrum).

1) Anxiety - For those who are anxious: did drinking ultimately make your anxiety worse? Did it get better when you finally got sober? I've heard that drinking is a double-edged sword when it comes to anxiety, but I'm looking for some kind of confirmation / assurance on this.

2) Socializing - If socializing doesn't come super easy to you without a cold beer in your hand, how was that transition? Did you learn new coping skills, or just socialize a lot less in the long run? Did socializing get any easier when you finally gave up drinking?

3) Panic - If you've ever dealt with panic disorders or agoraphobia, did drinking ever make it worse, in a similar way to my previous anxiety question? Conversely, did it get better when you quit?

4) Beer count - Most alcoholics would laugh at how little I consumed (in relation to a lot of neurotypical alcoholics), but I feel like I was psychologically impacted HARDER by alcohol. A single beer was like a magic sleeping / socializing / panic-off pill, even if it only lasted for an hour. Did you have this going on as well? Conversely, was your detox / withdrawal period pretty much just as bad as if you had been a heavier drinker?

5) Insomnia - I'm pretty sure a lot of us are no stranger to insomnia, but how about during the withdrawal period? I feel like I've been up for about 4 days straight (save for the sporadic 2-hour nap), and that's exactly how many days I've been sober for. Something tells me this is blown out of proportion for a 6-8 every-other-day-beer drinker, but I have no idea about anything anymore.

That about sums up my convoluted mess of a questionnaire. Thanks to anyone who can offer insight, I really appreciate it.

ScottFromWI

My anxiety definitely worsened in the latter stages of my drinking. Quitting helped but I still have work to do. What I'm finding out is that my anxiety has most likely been here most of my life, but I started my "escape" from it with alcohol when I was about 15 years old. So I've never really dealt with it sober my entire adult life until now.

Soberwolf

Drinking made everything worse it was only when I stopped could I start addressing the underlying issues like anxiety, agoraphobia, panic attacks, insomnia & socialising

I done things like AA, group therapy, CBT, volunteering, service & speaking to my Dr to get help addressing these things

teatreeoil007

I think most everyone has anxiety to some degree...even those who have never sought formal help for or been treated for "anxiety". The anxiety manifests in various ways, either by biting one's nails, being OCD, however one compensates for the anxiety. Some turn to drugs and alcohol, others turn to food and yet others turn to a variety of things. We all have some anxiety. Don't know if this is helpful or not, but I'll try not to feel anxious about it. (smile)...

WaveTossed

I believe that my drinking and drugging were (among other things) an attempt to quiet down the noise I kept hearing. As a person with autism, I am hypersensitive, especially to noise. My brain can make a jumble out of my environment. Finally, even the booze and drugs stopped working. Now that I've been sober/clean for several years, I can deal with getting treatment for my hypersensitivity and other autism symptoms.