P-4three cases of alcoholism with autism spectrum disorder

Traduction: G.M.

Alcohol Alcohol. 2014 Sep;49 Suppl 1:i54. doi: 10.1093/alcalc/agu054.4.

3 cas d'alcoolisme avec un trouble du spectre autistique

Tabata K, Yoshida T, Naoe J.

Author information

• Medical Office, Asahikawa Keisenkai Hospital, Japan.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

The relationship between alcoholism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been the subject of much recent research. We report herein three patients with alcoholism and a history of ASD.
La relation entre le trouble du spectre autistique (TSA) et l'alcoolisme  a fait l'objet de beaucoup de recherches récentes. Nous rapportons ici le cas de trois patients souffrant d'alcoolisme et ayant un TSA. 

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Consent was directly obtained from Patients 1 and 2. Care was taken to protect the identities of all three patients.

CASE REPORTS:

Patient 1 was a 34-year-old man. From adolescence onwards,he had few friends and tended to isolate himself. At 21 years old, he began drinking alcohol due to the stress of interpersonal communication. At 29 years old, he was admitted with alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Post-discharge, no relapse has occurred. ASD was confirmed on psychological testing. Patient 2 was a 38-year-old man with a long-term history of anthropophobia. He entered employment at the age 19, but quit employment at age 30 due to the stress of interpersonal communication. After turning to alcohol in order to reduce anxiety, he became an alcoholic. He was admitted at 36 years old. Post-discharge, no relapse has occurred. ASD was confirmed on psychological testing. Patient 3 was a 28-year-old woman with a long-term history of stranger anxiety. She began drinking excessively in order to reduce the stress of interpersonal communication. At 26 years old, she was admitted for alcohol epilepsy. Post-discharge, no relapse has occurred. ASD was confirmed on psychological testing.

DISCUSSION:

The following characteristics were common to all three patients: ASD; interpersonal communication disorder from a young age; development of alcoholism at a young age; and no difficulty maintaining abstinence after successfully quitting. In connection with alcohol consumption, ASD traits, including strong preferences, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and stereotypies, reportedly result in early addiction, but also work favorably to enable maintained abstinence. These characteristics are consistent with the present patients. The identification of a history of ASD is important for the successful management of alcoholism.
Les caractéristiques suivantes sont communes aux trois patients: TSA; trouble de la communication interpersonnelle à partir d'un jeune âge; le développement de l'alcoolisme à un jeune âge; et pas de difficulté à maintenir l'abstinence avec succès après avoir arrêté.
Dans le cadre de la consommation d'alcool, les traits TSA, incluant de fortes préférences, des troubles obsessionnels-compulsifs et des stéréotypies, rapportés résultent en une addiction précoce, mais aussi concourent favorablement à la capacité de rester abstinent.
Ces caractéristiques sont compatibles avec les présents patients.  
L'identification d'un TSA est importante pour la bonne gestion de l'alcoolisme. 


© The Author 2014. Medical Council on Alcohol and Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

PMID: 25221235