Are creative people more prone to substance abuse than others?

I honestly wonder if any studies have been done about this. The first thought that enters my head is how to define “creative people”. At this point, I’d say this has to be a generalization.

I just want to go ahead and say

USE≠ABUSE

A bit of both. Creative people are a different breed. I know because I am one. Take for instance many Drug induced artists. Doesn’t matter from painter, sculptor, musician, many of them have been influenced by drugs and many have not. Since I’m a musician I would only be able to tell you musicians.

Ted Nugget = Never done a drug
Janis Joplin = Well, I’m sure you know.
Throwdown = From what I hear, the whole band is straight edge.
Pink Floyd = enough said.

Many artists find unique ways for interpreting their art via drugs and some not so much. In some cases drugs had a big influence for helping them find their passion. Like me, I used to be a huge pot head when I was younger. I happen to befriend someone who had a few guitars, we’d get blazed and he’d let me screw around on one. I would crank it with reverb and distortion and just make all kind of noise. Looking back it probably sounded like complete dog shit, but at the time I loved every second of it.

Although, now I don’t use if any at all. I’ll get high every once in a while, but not in a position where I can play my guitars. I usually come up with stuff naturally via emotion or just plain experimentation.

To answer the question though, ive always been a creative person. I dont think this is what led me to taking drugs in the first place though. Once i started, i could see they made me a lot more creative though, especially artistically. My drugs of choice happen to be hallucinogens so i think that really adds a lot to my creativity. ohhhh you should see the things ive drawn on LSD lol.

Its very much how Axemusica said, they help you find your passion.You can think more clearly under the influence of some and things just come to you. The most brilliant ideas will just pop into your head, or the most amazing images. Sometimes images so complex you didnt think your brain was even capable of imagining something such as this. Then you just have a desire to draw whatever you just saw, thus creative drug induced art is born :P

I say 50/50.

Creative people tend to stand out.

I think that mind altering substances trigger different things in the brain that lead to making beautiful, priceless art.

I don’t think that’s necessarily true, but I do think that a person who is especially creative in an artistic field may take drugs because they feel it may enhance their work (whether it’s art, music, etc.). And of course, once you start drugs, there’s a line that’s all to easy to cross where you become addicted or abusive.

For the record, though, my boyfriend is a very talented artist and doesn’t take any kind of drugs when he draws. I certainly don’t think drugs are necessary for art or even beneficial in all examples.

Not true,I work as an artist and know alot of artists,most of whom don’t have substance problem but should…heh he heehehehe!

I’ve done a bit of screenwriting while on hallucinogens years ago.
Whatever the feck I wrote, it was pretty freaking awesome.
Although, it is not safe to make that generalization.
Many different things can spark ideas and creativity in people.
I know several people who are fueled by sex. Some of their best ideas come after a good ole’ orgasm. Really.

i think the creators of “Ren and Stimpy” were potheads. Maybe even “Aqua Teen Hunger Force”. I can’t put my finger on the reason why I think this it is only a suspicion right now.

It’s a generalization. I do think that creative people are more prone to substance abuse, for a few reasons:

1. Some experiment with drugs because they want to have as many life experiences as possible in order to inspire their art.

2. Creative people may lack a steady income that lends security to their lives. To cope with the uncertainty, they find a temporary escape in drug use.