Addiction
Learning To Live: A Reflection At 9 Years Sober
Today, April 7th, 2025, i am nine years sober. Here is what I have learned.
Addiction
Neurodiversity
An Autistic Addicts Journey
Almost 5 years ago I sat at my computer to write an article about my journey to self-forgiveness, acknowledging that I was no longer that person; I had grown beyond the toxicity of my addicted state and become something new. At the time I was 4 years sober, and excited
medication
One Week Into ADHD Meds: The Shortage Is Dangerous
As I write this, I am on day ten of taking Medikinet XL for my ADHD. I am on a relatively low dose, and already seeing some significant improvements across my life. Something that stands out to me is the number of ADHD and AuDHD people who are unable to
Trauma
I'm an adult CAMHS survivor: Yes I'm still angry about it
Content Warning: This articles contains references to a wide range of subjects that could be difficult to read. Some might argue that in my mid-thirties I should have come to peace with the event of my younger years. Some probably don't understand why I write about CAMHS so
Addiction
CAMHS treated me like a nuisance, I still feel it as an adult
"My pain was not the sort of pain that deserved support. That was what CAMHS had taught me. My life became a monotony of blackouts and suicide attempts. All because services wouldn't support a little Autistic boy who was trying to navigate a cruel and uncaring world."
Autistic Wellbeing
Interoception and Autism: A Hidden Link to Substance Use?
Autism and substance use is an area that received little discussion in wider society. In my own experience, their is an assumption that Autistic people are less likely to use drugs, however growing bodies of research are beginning to show what I have said for many year; substance use is
Trauma
School and CAMHS failed me; This is what happened
This article delves into the persistent challenges faced by Autistic individuals in the UK, particularly in the domains of education and mental health. It highlights the shortcomings of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities provision and the inadequacy of Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Autistic Rights
Autism and the challenge ahead
There are many things about being Autistic that we can celebrate. However, we have to be careful that in doing so we don't inadvertently engage in the erasure of our struggles. Campaigns like #ItsNotOkToNotBeOk will only succeed if we commit to improving the things that cause our suffering.
Autism
Understanding Autistic people's relationship with drug use
The post discusses the substantial problem of addiction among individuals with Autism. It highlights the tendency for Autistic people to self-medicate using drugs and alcohol, often coinciding with other mental health issues. The post suggests that societal treatment of Autism plays a part in this i
Trauma
On being the neurodivergent child of an alcoholic parent
This article is an anonymous guest post I was informally diagnosed with C-PTSD in 2017, aged 41, then formally diagnosed aged 46. I self-identified then was professionally diagnosed Autistic aged 42. I self-identified ADHD aged 44 and diagnosed aged 47. But, how old do you think I was when I
Neurodiversity
Being an Autistic bullying victim led to my schizophrenia
I was bullied into a state where I no longer knew what was real or who I could trust. Teachers and students alike did this to me. Is it any surprise I became Schizophrenic?
disability
AuDHD addicts don't respond to shame the way you want them to: Here is why
I have written before about how How the shame cycle barricades us from recovery in terms of addiction. In particular, here, I think about people who are AuDHD. If you exist at that particular intersection of experience, there is an increased likelihood that you use substances to improve your own