10 Signs Your Addiction Was Actually Autism
From caffeine and nicotine to alcohol, cannabis, and eating—how substance use can reflect autism-related sensory regulation rather than addiction.
By a clinician specializing in neurocomplexity with additional licensure in addiction
In the intricate dance between addiction and neurocomplexity, we often overlook a profound truth: what we frequently label as addiction is often less about dysfunction or moral failing, and more about a deeply embodied attempt to regulate an overwhelming sensory existence. Substance use—whether caffeine, nicotine, cannabis, food, or alcohol—is rarely just about chasing highs or losing control. Instead, it often emerges as an adaptive, albeit imperfect, survival strategy for navigating a world that is sensory-hostile and socially unforgiving.