Online addiction and autism

Online addictions are complex yet treatable conditions that affect both autistic and neurotypical people.

While the underlying reasons for addiction may differ, the impact on physical and mental health is significant for anyone affected. Understand these addictions and how to seek support.

Addiction in autistic people

Addiction is "not having control over doing, taking or using something to the point where it could be harmful to you." Addiction is commonly associated with the abuse of substances like medications, alcohol, and nicotine, but it can also extend to activities such as gambling, work, internet use, and gaming. Addiction can lead to a variety of health issues, including physical health problems such as heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and cancer. Additionally, it can cause mental health challenges like depression and anxiety, as well as personal problems such as relationship breakdowns, financial difficulties, unemployment, and homelessness.

While many autistic individuals have specific interests or activities they engage in passionately, this does not necessarily equate to addiction. Addiction is characterised by its negative impact on various aspects of life, including work, finances, relationships, and mood. Signs of addiction may include increased risky behaviours, such as regular or excessively doing the activity, issues at work, with money or in relationships and an inability to stop the activity or substance use despite negative consequences.

Addiction can develop for various reasons, including difficulty coping with everyday life, specific life challenges, or a family history of addiction. For autistic individuals, additional factors may contribute to addiction. Social skill challenges and sensory sensitivities can cause significant stress and anxiety, and the repetitive nature of certain activities may fulfil the need for routine. A late diagnosis of autism can also create a lack of understanding and support, which creates mental health challenges that can fuel addiction. Sometimes, addictive behaviours, such as an over-reliance on gambling or gaming, can be used as a coping strategy for other struggles. 

Below, we’ll explore some common types of addiction associated with being online and how you or someone you know can seek support:

Gaming addiction

Gaming addiction, sometimes called Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), is a serious condition where gaming is so excessive that it has negative impacts on many areas of an individual’s daily life. Signs of gaming addiction include:

• Regular physical or verbal outbursts during gameplay
• Preoccupation with gaming, even when not playing
• Irritability when unable to game
• Declining performance at work or school
• Relationship problems
• Persistent low mood and anxiety
• Increasing social isolation

The impacts of excessive gaming can affect all areas of life, particularly for autistic individuals, who are more likely to experience significant stress and anxiety. Sleep problems and physical health issues such as weight gain or loss are common, as well as issues with aggression and emotional regulation. This can then affect relationships, leading to conflicts and relationship breakdown. Mental health challenges are also more common, particularly depression, anxiety and suicidality. 

If you or someone you know exhibits these behaviours, it may be time to seek further support. Various programs and groups that are available for neurotypical individuals experiencing gaming addiction can be beneficial for autistic people as well. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is particularly effective in helping individuals identify the root causes of their unhealthy relationship with gaming and develop practical strategies to reduce dependency.

Groups like Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous (ITAA) and Media Addicts Anonymous (MAA) offer structured support to overcome gaming addiction. Websites such as Game Quitters and Game Aware provide resources and community support tailored to the needs of gamers, including gamers with autism. If you support someone who is experiencing a gaming addiction, The Carer Gateway can provide you with relevant support.

While the risks associated with excessive gaming are significant, it's important to recognise that gaming itself is not inherently harmful. For many autistic individuals, gaming provides a valuable source of enjoyment and social interaction. The key is to find a healthy balance that allows for the benefits of gaming without compromising physical, mental, or social health. Here are some practical steps to help manage gaming habits and prevent the development of unhealthy behaviours:

• Avoid early morning gaming: Start the day with other activities to set a healthy tone for the day.
• Keep gaming devices out of bedrooms: This helps to separate gaming from rest and relaxation spaces, promoting better sleep hygiene.
• Take regular breaks: Stand up and move around every hour to prevent prolonged periods of inactivity. Use these breaks to have a healthy snack or drink water.
• Limit gaming time: Try to restrict gaming to a maximum of two hours per day. If this is not immediately possible, gradually reduce gaming time by 15 minutes each day until the goal is reached.
• Introduce game-free days: Designate one day a week for offline activities. Choose a busy day or one where you can explore other hobbies.

Gambling addiction

Gambling addiction, also known as compulsive gambling or gambling disorder, is characterised by an uncontrollable urge to gamble despite the negative consequences. Unlike casual gamblers, people with a gambling addiction continue to gamble even when it leads to severe financial losses, relationship breakdowns, and emotional distress.

For many, gambling starts as a harmless recreational activity. However, it can become problematic when it turns into compulsive behaviour. Pathological gambling is a severe form of addiction where individuals lose control over their betting habits. This loss of control can harm various aspects of life, including financial stability, employment, housing, and relationships.

Gambling addiction often remains hidden until it reaches a critical point. Recognising the warning signs can help in identifying and addressing the problem early:

Do you have a gambling addiction?

Realising or suspecting that you have a gambling problem can be overwhelming, and reflecting on your behaviour as honestly as you can is an important first step. If you think about gambling constantly, feel irritable or restless when you aren’t gambling and often spend more when gambling than you intended to, you may wish to seek support. This can help you prevent or reduce ‘chasing losses,’ where you continue to gamble in an attempt to win back money you have lost, creating a vicious cycle that is hard to break out of. 

Using gambling as a way to cope with negative emotions like anxiety, depression, or guilt is another common sign of a gambling addiction. You may find yourself lying to cover up the extent of your gambling and neglecting important aspects of your life, such as family events, work, or appointments. Financial dependency on others after heavy gambling losses can further complicate the situation.

Supporting someone with a gambling addiction

If you suspect that someone you know has a gambling problem, it is essential to approach the situation with empathy and understanding. Open communication is the first step. Start a conversation calmly and express your concerns without judgment. Listen to them, allowing them to share their feelings and experiences.

Encouraging professional help is important. Suggest seeking help from a mental health professional, as therapies like Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) can be particularly effective for treating gambling addiction. Support groups can also be beneficial, offering a space for individuals to share experiences and strategies with others facing similar issues.

Providing practical support can make a significant difference. Offer to help them create a budget or seek financial counselling to manage their finances better. Monitoring access to money, such as setting up joint accounts or limiting cash flow, can also help control gambling urges.

For immediate support, individuals with a gambling addiction and their loved ones can access gambling addiction helplines available nationwide. In a crisis, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or emergency services on 000.

Pornography (porn) addiction

Pornography addiction refers to the compulsive desire to consume pornographic material, such as sexual images, videos, erotic novels, or pornographic artwork, despite harmful consequences. Individuals struggling with this addiction may find themselves unable to stop or cut down on their usage, even when it negatively affects their daily lives, relationships, or professional responsibilities.

While using pornography doesn't automatically lead to addiction, several warning signs indicate when usage might be problematic. These include experiencing a less satisfying sex life, feeling unable to stop using porn despite repeated efforts, and continuing the behaviour despite feelings of shame. Some individuals might engage in risky behaviour to view porn or face relationship issues as a result of their usage. Others may allow porn to interfere with other responsibilities or find themselves needing to view increasing amounts of porn to achieve the same effect. Escalating to more extreme forms of pornography and using it to cope with emotional or mental health issues are also common signs. Additionally, financial trouble due to spending money on pornography and constant preoccupation with it are significant indicators of addiction.

Impacts of pornography addiction

Pornography addiction can have profound long-term impacts on individuals, affecting their mental health, personal relationships, and overall quality of life. Excessive consumption of pornography often leads to social isolation, as individuals withdraw from social activities to spend more time viewing porn. This isolation can put a strain on relationships, particularly romantic ones. Those struggling with addiction may neglect their partners, leading to feelings of betrayal, a loss of trust, and damaged self-esteem in their partners or spouses. Sexual dysfunction is another common consequence, with individuals finding it difficult to experience sexual satisfaction without the aid of pornography.

Pornography addiction can cause individuals to develop misconceptions about sex and cause someone to have unrealistic expectations around sexual relationships. This can make forming healthy relationships in real life challenging. Pornography addiction is also linked to low self-esteem, body image issues and mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety. 

Support for pornography addiction

Recognising the need for help is the first step towards recovery. Effective treatment often involves a combination of psychotherapy, behaviour modification, and support groups. Psychotherapy can help individuals understand the underlying causes of their addiction and develop strategies to manage their behaviour. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is particularly effective, as it focuses on changing the thought patterns that contribute to addictive behaviours.

Behaviour modification techniques can help individuals develop healthier habits and coping mechanisms. This might include setting clear limits on internet usage and access to pornography, encouraging the development of hobbies and interests that do not involve pornography, and incorporating mindfulness practices to manage urges and reduce stress.

Support groups provide a sense of community and understanding, offering individuals the opportunity to share their experiences and learn from others facing similar challenges. Groups such as Sex Addicts Anonymous Australia or Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) can be particularly helpful.

For those in committed relationships, family and relationship counselling can help address the relational impacts of pornography addiction. Counselling provides a safe space for partners to express their feelings and work towards rebuilding trust.