The neurodiverse population is already disadvantaged when it comes to school, work, and social life. Why should rehab be added to that list?
Traditional rehab environments can be overwhelming for those with neurodiverse conditions, and many facilities don’t understand what they need to do to make all patients feel included and understood.
Fortunately, rehabs for the neurodiverse exist, and we’re here to help you find one. Neurodiversity rehabs UK offer tailored, inclusive treatment, giving all patients the opportunity to stay sober sustainably.
Interested? Call our free helpline on 0800 140 4690 (UK) or +44 345 222 3508 (international).
Neurodiversity is “the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways” (1).
Most people are neurotypical. This means their brains work in a “typical” way. As you can imagine, this has led to societal systems favouring the neurotypical brain. It is often easier for neurotypical people to “fit in” at school, work, and in social situations, as their processing and behaviours are well-suited to these systems.
On the other hand, neurodiverse people experience brain differences that can affect their thoughts, communication, energy levels, and various other areas of life.
While 15-20% of the global population is neurodiverse, society frequently fails to account for this, which can lead to neurodiverse individuals feeling misunderstood (2).
Every neurodiverse person experiences the world differently, but those who share the same condition find similarities in different areas of life.
Examples of neurodivergent conditions include:
Many of these conditions co-occur (3). In other words, if someone is diagnosed with one neurodiverse condition, their chances of having another condition are higher.
When someone is neurodiverse, their risk factors for addiction tend to be much higher.
A common phenomenon in neurodiversity research is known as “masking”. This is when someone with ADHD, autism, or another similar condition, hides or downplays their traits in order to appear neurotypical.
It can look like forcing eye contact, hiding special interests, and overcompensating at work or school to mask problems with organisation or overwhelm.
So, how does masking relate to addiction?
Concealing parts of yourself is not sustainable. It often leaves neurodiverse people feeling extremely drained, resulting in withdrawal from responsibilities or social situations.
Unfortunately, many turn to drugs and alcohol as a way to escape the pressures they have been under. They may also find it easier to blend in when they are under the influence, which makes substances more appealing.
Another high risk factor is trauma. Let’s imagine someone with ADHD, who struggles with impulsivity and poor short-term memory, amongst other things.
This individual is more likely than average to have experienced trauma that may have worsened their symptoms.
On top of this, they are more at risk of dealing with trauma that is directly related to their condition, such as being bullied or isolated due to their ADHD symptoms.
The link between trauma and addiction is extremely strong. Illicit substances can help people to escape from their trauma, and they may not fully understand the consequences of this coping mechanism until their dependency has developed into addiction.
Plenty of people live their lives under neurotypical expectations, and only realise they are neurodiverse later in life.
Holding yourself to such a high standard when your brain works differently is a recipe for disaster. Often, it’s the main reason people have turned to drugs and alcohol.
They don’t yet realise they aren’t neurotypical, but they do experience the pressures of adapting to a society that doesn’t acknowledge their needs.
Many neurodiverse individuals have had negative experiences with therapists, therapeutic techniques, or support groups that lack understanding of the way their brain works.
As a result, they may face even more challenges after seeking traditional support. To cope with this reality, some end up using drugs and alcohol excessively.
It’s not out of the question that a neurodiverse person could thrive at traditional rehab.
That being said, there are many challenges that could arise, particularly if the rehab does not provide adequate training in neurodiversity. Common challenges may be:
Neurotypical and neurodiverse people often communicate very differently. Intentions get lost in translation, and it can quickly lead to neurodiverse people feeling confused and misunderstood.
Rehab can be a sensory nightmare for the neurodiverse among us. Bright lighting, frequent socialising, and lots of noise are common triggers that leave many feeling overwhelmed.
Addiction treatment is naturally geared towards neurotypical people, as they represent the average person. This means some treatment types can be ineffective for neurodivergent people.
For instance, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can lead to difficulties for autistic patients if their therapist is not trained in autism. Tendencies such as literal interpretation can present particular challenges in sessions (4).
The good news? Rehabs can get better at understanding neurodiversity, making their neurodiverse patients feel welcomed, accommodated, and most importantly, understood.
There are already many drug and alcohol rehabs that pride themselves on being neurodiversity-friendly, with a focus on:
We know it can be tricky to find out just how neurodiverse-friendly a rehab is. So, we’ve created a checklist to help you choose the perfect facility for you:
The first step is to check that the rehab trains its staff in neurodiversity, and has experience working with neurodiverse patients.
Always ask about your specific condition(s), as you may need unique support, and it’s crucial that the facility is equipped to provide you with this.
Standardised treatment will rarely work for neurodiversity. Make sure the rehab tailors its treatment for each patient, ensuring your specific needs will be addressed.
There’s no better way to get a feel for a rehab centre than to go on a tour. Visiting the facility allows you to imagine yourself in the environment on a day-to-day basis, and consider whether the environment caters to your sensory needs.
Depending on your experience of neurodiversity, you may need to ensure your inpatient rehab is close to home and/or to your loved ones. Avoid settling on a rehab before taking into account its location.
With Rehab 4 Addiction, you can cut out the middle man. We are already familiar with which adaptations are effective for the neurodiverse population, and which UK rehabs are implementing these.
All it takes is a quick phone call with a wonderful team member, and then we can begin to find the right treatment centre for you. Call us on 0800 140 4690 (UK) or +44 345 222 3508 (international) to ensure your neurodiversity is not left out of the treatment equation.
[1] https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-neurodiversity-202111232645
[2] https://businessdisabilityforum.org.uk/resource/neurodiversity-toolkit/what-is-neurodiversity/
[3] https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/neurodiversity-and-co-occurring-differences
