Addiction has historically remained a topic of curiosity among writers and readers. Here is an overview of addiction in historical, modern and non-traditional literature.
Somewhere between the clear-cut genres of psychology and literature lie a few books, anthologies and essays that blend the best of both subjects with the overshadowing topic of addiction. Poetic prose melts into psychological discourse. Oftentimes, these works cover the commonly referenced addictions of drugs and alcohol, but more modern pieces invoke odes and regrets to addictions such as sex, food and gambling.
These works of literature not only bridge the gap between addictions of all types, but also of the history of addiction from a literary standpoint. From early opiate and tobacco addictions to modern addictions to mescaline and ecstasy, writers have frequently and thoroughly explored the realm of what it means to crave, yearn and covet their addiction of choice.
Early Works of Addiction in Literature
Confessions of An English Opium Eater by Thomas De Quincey, 1821. The earliest recognized popular literary work to reference opium. This autobiographical novel recounts De Quincey's addiction by use of vivid descriptions of the author's craving for and subsequent withdrawal from opium.
How the Opium Habit is Acquired by Virgil G. Eaton, 1888. Though this piece was published over 100 years ago, it still remains relevant today. Eaton's insight into how opium addictions are formed can easily be transferred to modern day prescription drug addictions, mainly that doctors are readily willing to prescribe potentially harmful drugs without fully understanding the effects.
The Ethics of Wine Drinking and Tobacco Smoking by Leo Tolstoy, 1891. While writing Anna Karenina, Tolstoy began a period of intense self-examination whereby he questioned the motives for alcohol and tobacco use. This was a profound work, since at the time, both substances were viewed as normal in social settings. Tolstoy's explanation that people relied on such substances to "drive off the blues, keep up spirits or because everyone does the same" is still the most commonly given reason for modern addiction.
Contemporary Works of Addiction in Literature
John Barleycorn by Jack London, 1913. London wrote this autobiographical novel after he gained success for such works as White Fang. This was a huge deviation from his prior novels and presented audiences with the story of his childhood and how he came to be an alcoholic.
The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley, 1954. Like London, Huxley followed his popular success of Brave New World with a confessional tale of his experimentation with mescaline. This novel served as a step-by-step account of his experiences on the drug.
Confessions of A Middle Aged Ecstasy Eater by Anonymous, 2001. This anonymous tale of a fifty- year-old man brings the club-drug ecstasy into an entirely new culture and age group. Told in an honest and pro-experimental tone, this essay approaches a modern addiction from an untraditional point-of-view.
Non-traditional Addictions in Literature
Holy Hunger: A Memoir of Desire by Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, 1998. Jonas provides an insightful look at food addiction and her experience with Overeaters Anonymous (OA).
Double Down: Reflections on Gambling and Loss by Frederick and Steven Barthelme, 1999. The Barthelme brothers' memoir about gambling addiction as a team activity.
Love Sick: One Woman's Journey Through Sexual Addiction by Sue William Silverman, 2001. Silverman presents an unprecedented look at sex addiction from the female perspective.
For additional reading on the topic see, Under the Influence: The Literature of Addiction, edited by Rebecca Shannonhouse, 2003. Contains portions of the works referenced above, in addition to other writings related to addictions of all kinds throughout history.
The copyright of the article How Addiction Features Prominently in Literature in Literary Culture is owned by Lisa Rufle. Permission to republish How Addiction Features Prominently in Literature in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
