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Lalanne L, Weiner L, Trojak B, Berna F, Bertschy G. Substance-use disorder in high-functioning autism: clinical and neurocognitive insights from two case reports. BMC Psychiatry 2015; 15:149. [PMID: 26149411 PMCID: PMC4493816 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-015-0541-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low prevalence of substance-use disorder has been reported in adults with autism. However, on a superficial level, adults with high-functioning autism (HFA) display a 'normal' façade when they drink alcohol, which may explain why their alcohol dependency is not better diagnosed. CASE PRESENTATION Here, we report two cases of HFA adults who use alcohol and psychostimulants to cope with their anxiety and improve their cognitive abilities and social skills. We analyze how neurocognitive traits associated with HFA may be potential triggers for substance-use disorder. CONCLUSION Better identification of autism and its cognitive impairments, which may be vulnerability traits for developing substance-use disorders, could help improve the diagnosis and treatment of substance-use disorders among this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Lalanne
- Department of Psychiatry, Strasbourg University Hospital, 1 place de l'Hôpital, 67000, Strasbourg, France. .,INSERM 1114, FMTS, Strasbourg University Hospital, 1 place de l'Hôpital, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
| | - Luisa Weiner
- Department of Psychiatry, Strasbourg University Hospital, 1 place de l'Hôpital, 67000, Strasbourg, France. .,INSERM 1114, FMTS, Strasbourg University Hospital, 1 place de l'Hôpital, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
| | - Benoit Trojak
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Dijon University Hospital, Dijon, France. .,EA 4452, LPPM, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France.
| | - Fabrice Berna
- Department of Psychiatry, Strasbourg University Hospital, 1 place de l'Hôpital, 67000, Strasbourg, France. .,INSERM 1114, FMTS, Strasbourg University Hospital, 1 place de l'Hôpital, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
| | - Gilles Bertschy
- Department of Psychiatry, Strasbourg University Hospital, 1 place de l'Hôpital, 67000, Strasbourg, France. .,INSERM 1114, FMTS, Strasbourg University Hospital, 1 place de l'Hôpital, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
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