In Thomas’s case, cutting back on alcohol laid bare the sensory sensitivities and anxiety that lingered underneath. It also rapidly became clear that he couldn’t maintain a high-stress, high-stimulation job that would be more likely to provoke him to drink. Today he manages his sensory issues using noise-canceling headphones, and he forces himself to take regular breaks away from busy, noisy settings. He’s working from home, and learning to recognize when he’s getting overloaded by anxiety or noise. There’s less need for him to camouflage his Autistic traits now, and thus less desire to drink.
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