Autism Spectrum Disorder and Substance Use Disorder
Connections between ASD and SUD and the impact on development, screening and treatment are explored and culturally constructed narratives associated with both diagnoses are proposed to be responsible for the dearth of research and literature.
Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a significantly higher risk for developing a substance use disorder (SUD) than the general population yet literature addressing cooccurring ASD and SUD is scarce. This article explores connections between ASD and SUD and the impact on development, screening and treatment. The article proposes culturally constructed narratives associated with both diagnoses may be responsible for the dearth of research and literature. Constructed narratives of ASD and SUD do not naturally intersect and the resulting disconnect can create a cognitive dissonance that could allow the medical and general community to neglect this life-threatening dual diagnosis.