One thing lacking here is the historical point of view. Many artists of varying kinds have tried to create while blasted, but very few have succeeded. Among Americans, we have such known substance abusers as Stephen Foster, Ernest Hemingway, Sinclair Lewis, Jack Kerouac and F. Scott Fitzgerald, none of whom turned out anything of value while under the influence and whose continued drinking ultimately destroyed whatever talent they may have had. There were, however, at least three others who did not appear to wither in the blast of alcohol or drugs: O. Henry (William Porter), William S. Burroughs and William Faulkner. While there may be some positive mystical effect resulting from having been named "William," parents should refrain from so naming their male children even if they desperately desire that their offspring make a mark in the cultural world.

Henry was known by many to consume a quart of whiskey each working day (during which he was quite prolific), let alone the drinks he swallowed after dark before dying at the age of 49. Burroughs, of course, was into morphine and heroin and somehow, in between solid years of stone intoxication, managed to turn out quite a number of interesting works both of fiction and non-fiction, living until the age of 83. Faulkner actually won a Nobel Prize (as did Lewis, but in his case awarded more in the nature of a tombstone).

The subject of the relationship between creativity and substance abuse has fascinated many. The only too sober conclusion almost all scholars have drawn after years of research is that intoxication of any sort is about as bad a thing as possible for anyone panting after a literary muse. Our alcoholic and drug-addicted cultural stars would in all probability have done far more and far better had they restricted themselves to Dr. Pepper or Sinex Nasal Spray. Europeans and other non-Americans appear to have had better luck resisting such temptations, treating artistic pursuits more along the lines of standard vocations comparable to selling insurance or real estate and thereby escaping any perceived necessity to be particularly "different" or "inspired."

Take care.