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Romanticizing drug use as a pathway to creativity insults the discipline and hard work of being an artist.
In our society, drug and alcohol abuse has become extremely normalized, if not romanticized. A common myth about artists and creative people is that they use drugs and alcohol in order to channel inspiration and make better art. While this may be true for some creators during some periods of their lives, drug and alcohol use is absolutely not essential to the creative process, and can be fatal to both the art and the artist.
The myth that substances boost creativity is one that enables and normalizes substance abuse and addiction. Nearly one-third of all individuals who are diagnosed with a mental illness also struggle with a substance abuse issue on some level (National Alliance on Mental Illness).
A considerable number of artists and creators struggle with mental health issues, which is where substance abuse and addiction can stem from. Many artists also cling to the idea that their substance of choice will make them successful, will promote their creativity, and will ultimately enhance their mental and emotional stability.
First-hand anecdotes from artists as diverse as Eric Clapton, Eminem, and Jennifer Lopez are witness to the benefits of long-term sobriety on the creative process. We tend to glorify the artists who die young and tragically, while forgetting about the ones who keep creating, manage the stresses of public life, and continue their artistic journey of self-discovery.