Learn / Finding Addiction Treatment as a Neurodivergent Person

Finding Addiction Treatment as a Neurodivergent Person

By 
Kayla Gill
|
 July 12th, 2022|   Clinically Reviewed by 
Rajnandini Rathod

Everyone’s brain is unique. If you’re a neurodivergent person, you might be acutely aware of that. Fortunately, addiction recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all. You can find a rehab program designed to accommodate your needs.

Choosing the best rehab option for you can feel complicated for lots of reasons. For example, your sensory or communication needs might be unique. You might also remember bad experiences with past doctors, who didn’t have the expertise to help you. These issues can make it hard to trust that you’ll get the care you need in rehab.

Certain markers can show whether a facility is qualified to treat your concerns. These key points can help you find a rehab program that affirms neurodiversity.

What is Neurodiversity?

History of the Neurodiversity Movement

The term “neurodiversity”1 is attributed to Judy Singer, an autistic social scientist. Some people also credit Autistic advocate Jim Sinclair’s 1993 speech “Don’t Mourn for Us.”2 This piece addressed neurotypical people who viewed Autism as a “traumatic” event.

Accepted Terminology

Researcher and advocate Nick Walker argues against pathologizing neurodiversity.3

This “diversity of brains and minds,” she says, “is a natural, healthy, and valuable form of human diversity.”

There are a few similar and related terms in common usage today:

  • Neurodiverse: A neurodiverse group includes people whose brains function in different ways.
  • Neurodivergent: If someone’s brain works differently from the societal standard, they are neurodivergent.
  • Neurotypical: A neurotypical person’s brain functions in a way that matches societal standards.

There is no positive or negative value to being neurodivergent or neurotypical. These are just varieties of what it means to be human.

Neurodiversity Is Not a Medical Model

A neurodiversity perspective is different from the traditional medical model. Differences are celebrated, not stigmatized. Instead of symptoms, we can talk about traits. There are some common traits of being neurodivergent,4 including the following examples:

  • Bottom-up thinking: Neurodivergent people process the world in a systematic way. They analyze details and look for patterns. This can make it hard to adjust to sudden changes.
  • Emotional regulation and sensory sensitivities: As a neurodivergent person, you might be highly aware of sensory input.5 And when you get overwhelmed, you may experience meltdowns6 or shutdowns.
  • Executive functioning:7 This term refers to your ability to plan, start, and complete tasks. Neurodivergent people may do this less quickly or simply than neurotypical people.
  • Experience of time: Marta Rose, neurodiversity advocate and creator of Divergent Design Studios, explains that neurodivergent people experience time differently8 than neurotypical people do. “We don’t identify a goal and move toward it in a linear, efficient, straightforward manner, free of distraction and passion,” Rose writes. “Our minds are all about connection.”
  • Communication needs: Some people struggle with auditory processing.9 You might ask people to repeat themselves, or turn on captions during movies. You may also need to communicate in a specific way,4 like writing or using an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device.
  • Deep and passionate interests: You may have one or more topics or activities that bring you great joy. Spending time on special interests promotes well-being10 for Autistic people.

Each person’s experience of neurodivergence is unique. You may have some of these traits, all of them, or different ones. In any case, you probably navigate the world differently than neurotypical people. That’s not a problem. And you can get help during recovery without trying to “fix” the traits that make you who you are.

Prevalence of Neurodivergence

Neurodivergence can encompass neurological differences, developmental differences, intellectual differences, and mental differences. Experts estimate that 15-20% of people are neurodivergent11 in some way. Neurodiversity is underidentified in several populations. These include women, transgender and non-binary people,12 and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).13

How do you know if you are neurodivergent? Here are some identities, conditions, diagnoses, and neurotypes under the neurodiversity umbrella:

Everyone experiences their neurodivergence differently. Even if 2 people use the same term to describe themselves, they may mean different things. You can identify as neurodivergent whether you’ve gotten a formal diagnosis or not.

There are many co-occurring types of neurodiversity. For example, it’s common for one person to have both Autism and ADHD.14 Also, as much as 17% of Autistic people may have OCD.15 And according to one study, “an even larger proportion of people with OCD” may also have autism.

Is Neurodiversity a Risk Factor for Addiction?

Neurodiversity may increase the risk of addiction. One study found that Autistic people with average or above-average IQs were more than twice as likely to develop addictions.16 The risk is even higher for people who are also ADHD. But neither autism or ADHD causes addiction. And no matter what your diagnosis, treatment can help.

If you are neurodivergent, you may encounter more stressors than most neurotypical people. These stressors can affect your mental health. They may even make you more vulnerable to addiction.

Environmental and Systemic Barriers

Neurodivergent people experience many barriers that can increase the risk of substance misuse. Doctors, mental health providers, educators, and other authority figures may underestimate your capabilities. Perhaps because of this, neurodivergent people have lower employment levels17 than neurotypical people.

Trauma History

A history of trauma can be a major risk factor in the development of a substance use disorder. This is especially for neurodivergent people with more than one marginalized identity. People who experience systematic oppression may be more vulnerable to traumatic events.

Trauma history can also include relational traumas, like bullying and disconnection from caregivers.18 Many neurotypical parents don’t know how to meet their neurodivergent children’s needs. Even if your parents had good intentions, you might have experienced childhood trauma.

Masking and Social Disconnection

Surrounded by enforced neurotypical norms, many neurodivergent people develop masking behaviors.19 Masking is an adaptive response, in which people learn to hide neurodivergent characteristics. By appearing neurotypical, you may feel safer or get less negative feedback. For example, you might force yourself to make eye contact even when it feels painful. If you use these coping strategies often, you may or may not even realize that you’re masking. People with many forms of neurodivergence often show masking.20 This can be an especially important issue for people who are Autistic or ADHD.

A neurodivergent person might use these strategies to cope with certain social situations. For example, you may copy other people’s body language and facial expressions. You might also base your behavior off of social cues you learned from movies and books.

Finally, you might use assimilation strategies as a way to fit in with others. For example, you might force yourself to interact with others even when you feel burned out. On the other hand, you might avoid social settings completely.

Sensory Differences

Many neurodivergent people are easily distressed by both over- and under-stimulation. Either can lead to meltdowns, shutdowns, and unhealthy coping strategies—like drug use. And once you start taking drugs, you might be especially vulnerable to addiction.

Some neurodivergent people have an especially high sensitivity to substances. You may also be less aware of their effects. This is because some neurodivergent people have differences in interoception21 (body awareness).

These factors can combine to make addiction a common challenge among neurodivergent people. Jesse Meadows describes their experience of alcohol use and neurodivergence:22

“As a teenager, I could not deal with the school day sober, but despite being under some kind of influence on a daily basis, I also managed to get through it with average grades. In college, I drank heavily (among other substances), worked a job, took a full course load, and still somehow managed to make the Dean’s List every semester…

I didn’t consider that I was autistic because of alcohol, and I didn’t consider that I was an alcoholic because alcohol was not hindering my functioning — in many ways it was facilitating it. This is called ‘self-medication,’ and it’s something most people do with alcohol to some degree, although it seems to be somewhat different for autistic people.”

The Experience of Neurodiversity and Addiction

Many people develop addictions because it feels like drug use helps them socialize. This is true for both neurodivergent and neurotypical people. Drugs like ecstasy (MDMA) can also increase feelings of emotional connection.

In the right context, medication can be extremely helpful for people with neurodivergence. One study demonstrated that MDMA-assisted therapy can decrease social anxiety23 in Autistic adults. Some neurodivergent people use substances,21 including alcohol, to achieve these effects:

  • dulled sensory sensitivities, and relief from sensory overwhelm
  • courage in intimidating social situations
  • relaxed inhibitions
  • increased energy to get through a demanding world
  • sensory stimulation
  • entertainment for an anxious or preoccupied mind
  • silencing the inner critic

There is a significant overlap between addiction and neurodivergence. Because of this, it’s important to find a rehab that can provide affirming care. Certain indicators can tell you whether a program is a good fit for you.

Signs of a Neurodiversity-Affirming Treatment Center

At a neurodiversity-affirming rehab, providers will advocate for you. The staff will listen to you, and accommodate as many of your needs as they can. For example, you might be able to adjust your room’s lighting so it’s not too bright or overstimulating. You should also be able to give feedback about the type of treatment you receive.

Physical Environment

Many neurodivergent people are very attuned to their surroundings. To be accessible, the physical space of a treatment center should take this into account.24 For example, rehab centers can offer some of these amenities:

  • soft or natural lighting
  • lighting accommodations (such as sunglasses)
  • a quiet space with gentle white noise (such as a fan, white noise machine, or gentle music)
  • a variety of sound accommodations (such as earplugs or headphones in several materials)
  • a clean space with no strong or overpowering scents
  • a variety of seating options, including different sizes, shapes, and textures
  • a comfortable temperature, and ways to make adjust it (such as small fans and space heaters)
  • blankets and sensory items (hand fidget toys, rings, chewy necklaces, etc.)

Treatment Program Format

You’ll feel most at ease and supported at a rehab with programming designed to be affirming. You’ll also be able to engage in treatment more fully and benefit as much as possible.

Here are some important aspects to look for in a neurodiversity-affirming treatment program:25

  • Therapy goals center on your needs and your values.
  • Support animals are welcome in the space.
  • You can see an overview of what processes look like from intake to end of the program. This should tell you what to expect at each stage, and what you should bring with you or how to prepare.
  • The team asks how you communicate best (ex. speech, text or writing based, or symbolic or graphic), and invites you to communicate in that way.
    You have the freedom to stand, change your position, or leave to take breaks during sessions.
  • Therapists are willing to slow down or pause to make sure you have enough time to process.
  • You have the option to meditate and do deep breathing exercises.
  • You can use a consistent structure and session agenda, if you find that helpful.
  • Providers regularly check in about your comfort with pacing and speed of sessions.
  • You can access printed or recorded copies of any homework assigned between sessions.

When you’re first starting recovery, these adjustments can make all the difference. Remember that, as you select a rehab program, you have the right to ask for what you need. That may include certain approaches to treatment, types of therapy, or other resources.

Selecting a Treatment Approach as a Neurodivergent Person

There’s a great deal of variation under the umbrella of neurodiversity. Even within a single neurotype, certain therapies may be a good fit for some people, and not for others. In rehab, you’ll work with a team of providers to find the treatments that work best for you.

Occupational Therapy

During addiction recovery, a focus on sensory needs is key. This helps neurodivergent people practice self-regulation through healthy coping strategies.22 Jesse Meadows shares their thoughts on what has worked for them:

“What’s really helped me need less alcohol are sensory-based techniques — designing a ‘sensory diet’26 for myself, understanding what triggers and what soothes, and setting up my life in a way that accommodates my needs.”

For example, Meadows limits the time they spend masking. This helps them navigate triggers and cravings.

Community-Based Group Therapy

During recovery, you can work against shame by connecting with other neurodivergent people.21 This is a crucial part of healing. In these community spaces, you can learn to unmask in a way that makes sense for you. It can be helpful to do this around people who share some part of your experience.

Devon Price, an Autistic social psychologist and the author of Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity,21 dreams of how these relationships can change the world:

“I want Autistic people to experience less shame about who they are, and to learn to take off the restrictive masks that have trapped us for decades. The first step to unmasking is accepting who you are, and finding others with similar experiences. You don’t need a piece of paper from an assessor to begin to do that.”

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)27 can help you reconnect with your body. Sessions can decrease the intensity of your physical response to triggers. This approach is especially helpful for people with a history of trauma.

Less Effective Treatments

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be highly effective—for neurotypical patients. But, data shows that CBT can be far less effective for Autistic people.21 When providers are first taught how to communicate with Autistic people, the CBT they offered is more likely to help with addiction recovery.

Most importantly, any program that requires you to mask or work toward neurotypical goals that you don’t value will not be a good fit. The important thing is to find a rehab whose values align with your own. In an affirming environment, you’ll get support from providers who view you as the expert in your own needs.

Embrace Healing as a Neurodivergent Person

In this neurotypical world, many things aren’t set up in a way that works for neurodivergent people. Because of this, you might not trust healthcare providers to understand what you need. And that can make the idea of getting help feel stressful and confusing.

The right rehab program won’t ask you to change to fit in. Instead, your team should be sensitive to your needs, and willing to support you in any way they can.

When you’re ready to start addiction recovery, you have the right to accessible, affirming treatment. Connect with a rehab that specializes in neurodiversity to get your questions answered.

Reviewed by Rajnandini Rathod

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