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Creative and highly intelligent people tend to have a lot in common. Their unique gifts help them push the boundaries of art, music, business and science. Their work often drives strong views and even controversy.
Both because of and despite their intelligence, many experiment with drugs and alcohol. Sometimes they feel these substances inspire creativity; other times, it’s to help them cope with the stresses of their careers. Some of history’s most notable people were highly intelligent yet still engaged in substance abuse.
The Surprising Link Between Intelligence and Substance Use
So, why do smart people do drugs? It’s important to realize that having high intelligence doesn’t make you immune to addiction. The idea that people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol are below average, uneducated or unintelligent is untrue.
It’s no secret that highly successful people are driven to succeed. They demonstrate certain traits that can make them vulnerable. These include risk-taking, an obsessive personality and high energy levels. Their inquiring minds make it more likely for them to test different ideas, thoughts and behaviors, including experimenting with drugs and alcohol.
This may in part be because the satisfaction that intelligent people achieve from success in risky or difficult ventures follows similar neural pathways to those that can make substance use irresistible. Studies show that high intelligence may be a risk factor for addiction.
Why Highly Intelligent Individuals May Be at Risk
The qualities that help highly intelligent people succeed seem to play a role in encouraging risky behavior, such as experimentation with drugs and alcohol. Whether it’s to satisfy curiosity, enhance creativity or stay awake longer to complete projects, there’s evidence that intelligence and addiction are related.
The reasons aren’t always clear. One possibility is that people who have high intelligence have a natural inquisitiveness that leads them to try different things to discover how they work. This inquisitiveness is a plausible reason intelligent people may experiment with drugs. Some innovators may even feel they need the highs of substance abuse to be creative.
Another possibility is that they use drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism. People who work at the cutting edge of their industries are often stressed. They don’t know if they’ll succeed, and they may feel pressured by their own internal drive, families, coworkers and society as a whole. In such instances, they may turn to drugs and alcohol to help cope with feelings of stress and anxiety.
Many great historical trendsetters struggled with substance abuse:
- Charles Dickens. The famous author of A Christmas Carol had a major vice: opium. It’s believed the damage caused by his opium addiction was partly responsible for the fatal stroke he had at 58.
- Ernest Hemingway. The American novelist, short story writer and adventurer was known for using alcohol to cope with physical ailments and injuries following several serious accidents. It’s believed the combination of these factors contributed to his suicide in 1961.
- Kurt Cobain. Cobain changed the face of music forever by bringing grunge music to the forefront of the industry. He struggled with heroin addiction for years, and at the age of 27, he shot himself after taking a large amount of Valium and heroin.
- Vincent van Gogh. This renowned painter had many health issues throughout his life. He suffered from various mental disorders and became strongly dependent on alcohol. Suffering from severe depression, he committed suicide in 1890 at the age of 37.
- Stephen King. The enormously popular horror story writer battled addiction throughout his early life. He used many drugs, including cocaine, Xanax, Nyquil and pot, to get through the day. Following an intervention from his family in the late 1980s, Stephen King went into rehabilitation and has been sober since.
- Ulysses S. Grant. This great American President had a checkered history in the army due to heavy drinking. He was forced to resign but later recovered and successfully commanded the Union forces against the Confederacy in the Civil War. He became the youngest president at age 46 in 1869.
The Role of Stress and Overthinking in Addiction
Stress and overthinking are two common conditions affecting people who work in demanding jobs or careers. Stress is a natural reaction to any situation where you’re under pressure to perform or conform. It’s best described as feelings of extreme tension that may be physical, emotional or mental, and it can sometimes be debilitating.
Overthinking is a sign of excessive stress, being caught up in an endless cycle of worry. Signs of overthinking include going around and around regarding the pros and cons of a problem and being unable to make decisions.
People suffering from chronic stress and overthinking are more likely to use drugs and alcohol as a mechanism to counter stress. NIDA reports that chronic stress influences the parts of the brain that deal with reward and motivation. It decreases the ability to control impulses, such as seeking relief from alcohol or drugs.
Strategies to Break the Cycle of Substance Abuse
If you’re struggling with an addiction, it’s useful to understand the cycle of substance abuse.
The cycle starts with a trigger, such as a difficult day or an argument with a loved one. Next comes a persistent craving that’s almost impossible to ignore. In response, you act out your craving and get drunk or use drugs. Afterward, you typically feel guilty and ashamed and try to stay dry or clean. But then withdrawal kicks in and you go back to the beginning of the cycle.
Drug and alcohol abuse can impact anyone, no matter how smart they are. It doesn’t matter where you live, how much money you have or your education. Addiction simply doesn’t discriminate.
To break the cycle of substance abuse, you need to be honest with yourself. You need to accept that you require psychological and medical help to come clean. In many instances, this acceptance comes as a result of an intervention from someone close.
Specialized Programs for Overcoming Substance Abuse
Everyone is different and has unique needs. At FHE Health, we understand the stresses and pressures of life that may have drawn you into substance abuse. We offer many specialty recovery programs that can be tailored to your unique needs to help you come clean.
Our program includes neuro-rehabilitation techniques to help speed up your recovery. We offer a complete health and wellness service to assist you through withdrawal and into full health. Our onsite medical staff, including doctors and psychiatrists, is always on hand to help support successful recovery.
If you need help with substance abuse, contact us now for an appointment at FHE Health.
