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February 14th, 2025
Autism and Addiction
Autism can make the world feel like it’s too much – too fast, too loud, too frightening. Add addiction and it can be like hitting fast-forward on all the already stressful parts of life. For some people, addiction starts as a way to escape the sensory overload or social pressures that come with autism but it often creates new challenges instead. The two conditions can feed off each other, making everything feel even more overwhelming. At Liberty House, we understand the unique link between autism and find ways to make daily life feel less like a struggle.
What is autism?
Autism is a condition that shapes how someone sees and experiences the world. It affects things like how a person communicates, connects with others and makes sense of what’s happening around them.
Autism usually presents when you are very young and then stays with you for life. No one knows exactly what causes autism but it is thought to be a combination of genetics, brain development and activity and certain environmental factors.
Recorded rates of autism in men and women vary significantly with men four times more likely to be diagnosed. However, it is thought that rates of autism in adults of different sexes may actually be a lot closer than this, with women often being misdiagnosed or passing under the radar altogether.