This may be a repeat of something that already exists but I wanted to create a space to discuss Neurodiversity and addiction. I am diagnosed ADHD and autistic and I’d be interested to hear fellow neurodiverse folks experiences with addiction.
I find my impulsivity is a real challenge when it comes to preventing relapses. Does anyone have any tips, tricks or resources they use to help them in their journey?
The impulsivity was once one of the most challenging parts of my existence, and a primary driver of my drinking.
What made a night-and-day difference was changing how I eat, which I did about 15 years ago, well before I was diagnosed or even had a suspicion of neurodiversity. I felt a tremendous shift in my head.
No added sugars, processed foods, food dyes. So more or less stick to meats, whole grains, fresh fruit/veg, etc. Real food.
Completely changed how my brain works, and I still feel like I’m understating it.
Thanks @TMAC that is really useful! I’ve been having stomach problems for the last three weeks and I think a change in diet is called for.
Any tips on things that really made the difference? Was there a specific food that made a big difference or was it the combination of foods?
Not really, no. It’s not one specific food, doesn’t work like that. There’s no secret, no trick.
I guess one thing I could say is watch what you drink. Most beverages have far too much sugar in them, among other things, even “healthy” stuff like milk.
All I have drank for years is water (lots of it) and black coffee.
So. Much. Yes!
I stopped drinking soda and sweeten beverages and dropped 30 lbs in a month. By month 9 I felt different. Mostly because my body was finally hydrated and able to function normally; but, it was something more than that — almost metaphysical.
Now I look at what I used to imbibe ghastly amounts of and gag.
Still working on the coffee… I love a little coffee with my creamer. 
Hey there! I am not diagnosed with ADHD (so I hope u dont mind me posting in this thread), but I did really struggle with being impulsive. I am diagnosed with BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) and one of the traits of this is impulsivity.
Things that have helped me (and maybe they can help u too), is practicing “pausing”. So when a thought hits my brain, I pause before I react. It takes practice tho (at least it did for me).
Also, remembering that I dont HAVE to instantly react to feelings and thoughts. Thoughts and feelings are just that… thoughts and feelings. And not all thoughts are true or helpful. My impulsive behaviours in the past were most often unhealthy and even dangerous. When i kept this fact in mind, it helped me to respond vs react. With practice, i slowly began to lose that impulsive trait. When a thought would occur to do something, i encouraged myself to pause and wait. Id reflect on wether or not the action I wanted to perform was good for me or bad for me. Most often it wasnt healthy for me, so then Id turn my attention to something else.
Boarderline personality disorder and bipolar.
Im still working on this, understanding how to switch my thoughts as quickly as I can helps as well as hyper awareness.
Being able to pick when somethings going to trigger me and learning to respond accordingly as opposed to reacting quickly.
I relapsed last night. Its hard to put into words but I needed an escape. Everything was too loud, too bright, too many people talking to me, too much responsibility. Not enough rest.
The choice was my own. I’m back on the run to day 1.
A few things I noticed in relation to my Neurodiversity:
Part of me just wants to be metronomic. To be able to just move without thinking through my roles and responsibilities until the end of the day (Autism). The other part of me wants to just throw everything up in the air just for the sake of something new (ADHD).
My addiction feeds on shame but it taps into my ADHD and hyjacks my neural pathways.
I need to find a healthy way to balance these two opposite sides of me. Its so hard. I’m trying not to be all doom and gloom but it is hard. I was explaining to a friend of mine how a single task (paying a credit card bill) took me three attempts because I kept forgetting to fetch my wallet. Many people are able to laugh it off. I find it soul destroying, exhausting, as if my mind is failing me.
I’m not asking for pity. What I want is some help. Some ways to manage this condition that I don’t yet see the positives of. I have a therapy session next week. I hope thats a start.
I understand this intimately.
In the spirit of transparency, I struggle with this myself. However, some things that I do that help immensely are:
I have 2 whiteboards. One is blank and the other is a calendar. If it isn’t on my whiteboards, it doesn’t exist in my life. I will write something in my calendar on my phone when I’m out and about to write on these whiteboards when I get home. The blank one is for things I’m doing, or want to do, for the day. For example, I’d write: PAY BILLS, BRING WALLET. Not only does crossing those things off as I accomplish them give me dopamine hits, they help me feel more in control of myself.
I also have to constantly remind myself that there are things that aren’t my fault. Period.
Neither your autism nor your ADHD are your fault!
What’s exhausting is trying to fight against yourself. Trying to fit into a role or perceived function that isn’t yours. The tug-of-war between your two sides is emotionally draining as is, there’s no reason to make it worse by isolating yourself further by trying to explain something that is unknowable for most people. Or worse, self-depricating because of something that’s not your fault. It’s impossible to forget something on purpose. Moreover, your brain works differently — not dysfunctionally.
I’m glad you’re going to have a therapy session soon. It’ll be a good place to explore how to find inner peace. Because once your two sides work together, you’ll find you possess a remarkable super power! 
Thank you @ICanAndWill its been a tough day and I needed to hear this. I’m starting the process of understanding my needs. One way I am starting to look at it is that there are certain things I can’t change, like my memory, but by accepting that I can start building from a place of knowledge rather than pretending that if I work hard I can negate my ADHD.
Yes! Work with yourself.
It’s okay. Everything is going to be okay.
If you forget to grab something a couple times…meh…I guess you needed the extra cardio that day. 
Learning to laugh about it comes from perspective. Be kind to yourself and look at the things you do with self-love. Then what would have given you an anxiety attack and a list of self-depricating insults, suddenly because a silly quark. And while you are unable to laugh about it— having radical acceptance helps. Right now, in this moment, I am what I am. Although I am uncomfortable, it’s okay. Let those thoughts and feelings make a ruckus in the back of your head while you focus at the task at hand. They eventually go away. I’m glad you have someone who can help you navigate the stormy waters that’s you right now.
You are not broken.
You are perfectly imperfect and a delight.