Creative Junkie: How to Channel Addiction Into Art

I think all true artists are addicts. 

By their very nature, they are junkies.

Not necessarily of the mind-warping, life-ruining substance kind, but junkies nonetheless.

They're high on the adrenaline rush of birthing the new, the unheard of, the damn-right mind-blowing.

They're strung out on the sweet ecstasy of creation.

But like any high, it's not without its lows.

This addiction, this relentless obsession with creation, if left unchecked, can be dangerous and unforgiving.

So, what if we - the artists, the creators, the madly passionate - could redirect this addiction, not to the nearest bottle of Jack or the dealer down the street or even to mindless scrolling on Twitter, but to the process itself?

To the grind, the hustle, the raw and undiluted act of creation.

Choose your addictions wisely…

The Addicted Artist

We all know this story.

The one about the Addicted Artist. It’s a tragic tale that we've seen so often it's become a cliché.

It’s the old adage about the artist who resorts to drugs and alcohol to find the creativity within them. 

He is wracked by his vices and believes he needs them in order to bring something wonderful into the world. 

It's his way of connecting to the muse. But his drug binges send him so far off course that they only create in sporadic moments. 

He is down in the dumps, living on the street. Snorting, sniffing, skulling, shooting, and shelving any narcotic he can get his hands on. He is the kind of guy who'd snort stardust if he thought it'd help him paint the next Starry Night.

Some of the most renowned artists and prolific writers of our times were like this. We've all heard their stories.

• Hemingway was a raging drunk. 

• Hunter S Thompson tripped and snorted his way through Fear and Loathing and had one of the most insane daily routines you will ever read about.

• Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers couldn't create or perform without cocaine and heroin blasting through his bloodstream. 

• Fergie took enough meth to make herself hallucinate daily.

• Mac Miller resorted to a daily cocktail of pills, alcohol, and weed.

• and Amy Winehouse - well, we know how that ended.

Mac Miller sparking one up in the studio

They danced with their demons in the public eye, their struggles scrawled across tabloid pages. But were their brilliant careers also cautionary tales?

What could they have achieved, had their addictions not consumed them?

Could Hemingway have penned another classic? Could Winehouse have redefined music again?

We'll never know, will we?

And then there are the nameless, faceless artists. The ones who stumble through addiction in the shadows. They're not swimming in fame or fortune. They're just trying to make it through the day, to somehow silence the self-doubt long enough to put pen to paper, brush to canvas.

They turn to substances not for inspiration, but for solace. Not because they're looking to unlock creativity, but because they're desperate to drown out the voice inside that tells them they'll never make it.

We've romanticized the tormented artist trope, but it's time to flip the script.

It's time to choose a different addiction. One that empowers us, not destroys us. One that fuels our creativity not stifles it. Because at the end of the day, creation is our drug.

So, how can we high on that?

How can we become so obsessed with creating that we forget about the other vices that hold us back?

The Tortured Artist

The tortured artists know there is a calling inside of them.

A creation begging to be brought out into the world.

The muse whispers to them. She sings in the early hours of the morning and late at night. But her voice is too magnificent. The creator feels unworthy to hear her song.

So, they turn to the needle, the bottle, the pill, or the social media platform. They cling to these vices, these crutches, these false prophets of peace, like a man clutching at straws.

They drown in substances, hoping to silence the relentless symphony of creation that resounds in their mind. It’s too loud. Too much to bear. They yearn for silence, for respite, for a moment of peace in the eye of the creative storm.

They do it to dull the greatness inside of them, and their work suffers because of it. They are unable to wear the hat of the artist, and use their talents for creation, because all they want to do is get shitfaced or blasted. 

Maybe it's the darkness inside of them that believes their creations are not worthy of coming out into the world. 

That deep-seated, judging voice that tells them that they will never be an artist, especially not a paid artist.

It's too painful, and so they withdraw into that warm, relaxing feeling of their next high. 

After a wild binge that last weeks on end, the artist inside calls out to them and begs them to sit at their desk to write, or stand in front of the blank canvas and throw paint at it until something happens. 

Johnny Depp in Fear and Loathing

But it doesn’t last, soon enough they fall back into the ever-tightening grip of their vices. If they ever escaped it, that is. 

They’re a prisoner of their own mind, trapped in a labyrinth of insecurities, haunted by failure. It's a ghastly place, this internal battlefield. It's where dreams are slaughtered and ambitions are crucified.

But it doesn't have to be this way.

There's another path, one less traveled, one less destructive.

But will they take it?

Only time will tell.

I was, and still am, an Addict

Alright, buckle up, kiddos.

It's time for a deep dive into my personal battles with addiction and obsession. 

Yeah, that's right, I was a weed junkie. A pot addict. A full-blown, wake-and-bake, high-till-I-die stoner.

And I loved it. Oh boy, did I love it.

There's something about the sweet, sweet high of a good hit that makes you feel like you've got the universe by the balls.

I'd pack myself a bong, take a deep rip, and suddenly, I was invincible. I was Hemingway with a bong, Thompson with a stash of weed.

I was convinced that pot was my magical key to the elusive vault of creativity. My golden ticket to the Willy Wonka factory of artistic brilliance. When I was high, I felt like I gave myself permission to create. Until I started smoking weed I never considered myself a writer, or an artist.

But, as they say, all that glitters is not gold.

The more I smoked, the more I sank into the hazy abyss of addiction. I was a man lost at sea, drifting farther and farther from the shore, losing sight of the beacon of creativity that once guided me. I was chasing a mirage, a phantom promise of artistic genius, only to find myself stumbling in a fog of confusion and lethargy.

I was a prisoner of my own vice, shackled by the chains of dependency. My creativity, once a roaring inferno, was reduced to a flickering flame, struggling to survive in the suffocating smog of my addiction.

Until, one day I realized,

I wasn't unlocking my creativity. I was burying it.

I was drowning it in a sea of smoke, snuffing out its brilliance under a cloud of pot. I was entirely dependent on a hit of weed to sit down and write my pages.

So, I did the unthinkable. I quit. I kicked the habit. I said goodbye to Mary Jane and embraced a new mistress: Writing.

I traded my bong for a pen, and my stash for a notebook. I swapped the hazy fog of marijuana for the clear skies of sobriety. I ditched the fleeting high of a hit for the enduring euphoria of creation.

And you know what? It was the best damn decision I ever made.

Don’t get me wrong, I still love the plant. It’s a beautiful substance, and I miss the wild, unhinged creativity of a pot-induced high. The kaleidoscope of ideas, the carnival of inspiration. But I've found a new high, a better one. The high of creation. The thrill of pouring my soul onto paper. The ecstasy of seeing my thoughts come alive in words.

I'm an addict, alright. But now, I'm addicted to the right thing. I'm hooked on writing. I'm high on creation. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

The Liberating Addiction

Discovering the power of a healthy addiction, one that fuels your creativity instead of suffocating it, is a game changer.

It's like walking out of a dark, smoky room into the fresh air and sunlight. You'll notice a profound shift in your clarity, productivity, and creative joy.

Of course, you might feel nostalgic for the wild creativity that substances brought you, but it's essential to remember that a healthier obsession with the creative process is ultimately more sustainable and rewarding.

Embrace the liberation that comes with choosing creativity over destructive addictions.

Reclaiming the Artistic Process

It's time to take back your power as an artist and redirect your obsession toward the creative process. Here's how you can do that:

1. Replace harmful habits with creative ones

Identify the habits that are holding you back and replace them with activities that nourish your creativity. For example, if you used to drink while painting, try listening to inspiring music or meditating before you pick up the brush.

2. Build a routine that supports a healthy creative process

Establish a daily routine that dedicates time to your art. It doesn't have to be a strict schedule, but setting aside specific hours for your creativity can help you build momentum and consistency in your work.

3. Find a supportive community

Surround yourself with like-minded artists who share your passion and values. This could be through online forums, local art groups, or workshops. A strong support system can help you stay focused and motivated on your creative journey.

4. Learn to manage self-doubt and insecurities

Every artist faces moments of doubt and insecurity. Acknowledge these feelings, but don't let them control you. Remind yourself of your past accomplishments, seek constructive feedback, and remember that growth comes from pushing through challenges.

5. Prioritize self-care

Take care of your mental and physical well-being. Make time for exercise, healthy eating, and relaxation. A healthy lifestyle will provide you with the energy and clarity needed to fuel your creativity. Meditation and journaling are powerful daily tools that can help you take care of your number one - you.

Remember, as an artist, you have the power to choose which addictions you want to cultivate. Embrace the creative process and make it your primary obsession, and watch as your art flourishes and your life transforms.

Embracing the Addiction

It's essential to remember that as artists, we all have an innate addictive nature. We are obsessed. True junkies.

But instead of succumbing to destructive vices, we have the power to redirect our addictive tendencies toward something more meaningful and fulfilling: the creative process itself.

I won't sugarcoat it – the journey won't be easy. There will be moments of struggle, self-doubt, and setbacks. But trust that the rewards of nurturing a healthy obsession with your art far outweigh the temporary solace found in substances.

So, my little artist, it's time to make a choice.

To take a stand. To embrace the challenge and transform your life.

Pick up the pen, the paintbrush, or whatever medium you choose, and create.

Let your art be the driving force, the addiction that propels you forward, the passion that ignites your soul.

Because when you channel your addictive energy into your creative process, you're not only setting yourself free – you're unlocking your true potential as an artist.