<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
I seem to recall a post recently on regarding a link between alcoholism and
celiac/gluten intolerance. While this doesn't mention gluten intolerance
directly, it does mention that there may be a subset with Asperberger's autism,
which is often treated with gluten-free and casein-free diets. It comes from the
Autism Society of Wisconsin on the web at [log in to unmask]
Bev in Milwaukee
Autism Spectrum Disorders and Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.asw4autism.org/Madison/mar01.htm#One
by Donna Rosinski, President of the Madison Area Chapter "Are some families
at risk for both autism and alcoholism?" This story caught my eye awhile ago
while I was reading the Autism Research Review International, the newsletter of
the Autism Research Institute. Geneticist Judith Miles screened a sample of
119 autistic individuals, and found that one third had a significant family
history of alcoholism. The researchers suggested that these families may carry
genes that predispose to both autism and alcoholism.
The book Shadow Syndromes, by John Ratey and Catherine Johnston, discusses
the fact that a certain genetic repeat called the "D2R2 allele" was commonly
found in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette's Syndrome, and
addictive disorders. Since some individuals with ASD also have OCD or
Tourette's, it makes sense that some might also suffer from addictive disorders such
as alcoholism, although I don't have personal knowledge of many. I remember
reading somewhere, although I can't remember where it was, that a small subset
of alcoholics are actually individuals with Asperger's Syndrome who have
attempted to self-medicate by drinking.
If an individual with autism does have a drinking problem, where can he get
help? Recently a parent phone call tipped me off to the fact that the Madison
area chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous has a special needs committee. I spoke to
a wonderful man whose name I can't tell you ( AA is very strict about
confidentiality), who is very committed to meeting the needs of people with
developmental disabilities. Alcoholics who have disabilities are welcome to attend any
meeting, and there are many meetings in the Madison area, some of which are
non-smoking meetings. If there is a problem with transportation, call the Madison
AA at (608) 222-8989 and ask for the special needs committee, and they will
help to arrange transportation. If the individual with autism has an attendant
who must be with him, then he should attend an "open" meeting - open to
non-alcoholics, that is. There will soon be special "clubhouse" meetings for people
with developmental disabilities. And if the person with autism can't tolerate
being at a meeting at all, one-on-one sessions can be arranged that are very
individualized.
It is good to know that AA is accommodating the needs of individuals with
autism who have drinking problems. All that is required to attend AA meetings, I
was told, is the desire to stop drinking.
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