>>>
>>>... Trying to keep that level while working on a longer work of art is futile, the loosening doesn't happen at the same level every day, sometimes it may not come at all, so writing a symphony in a week may turn into three weeks of drinking and no symphony at all.
>>>
>>Why do you think so many artist die on drug related problems? Because they once saw the light - and are unable to find it again.
>>But this is the general problem anyway.
>
>It's just that some solve it without beating their dead muse with chemistry. They become critics, or teach the technique, or completely change their field and do something else.

No exception without a rule. :)

Basically it's not important what somebody is addicted too. Sex, adrenalin, name it, will work as well. I know people telling me that my quarter liter of beer I take one a daily basis is addiction. And for a great sunset I'm willing to stop anything for a while. Makes me happy. Internal drugs.
I think one can measure it into the blood system. So if I run into a cop with my internal happy feeling - am I an junkie too?
I think I stuck to germany - one get diminished criminal responsibility on beeing drunk in most cases ...