Theo Nash
Edgar Allan Poe's struggles with alcohol have been a subject of much fascination and speculation. While some sources suggest that he had a significant drinking problem, others claim that these were romanticised myths and misunderstandings. Poe's excessive drinking reportedly began in college and worsened after his mid-20s, potentially influenced by a family history of alcoholism. His stepfather, with whom he had a difficult relationship, may have also been a factor in his drinking. Poe's struggles with alcohol may have contributed to the loss of his ownership of The Broadway Journal and his public literary feuds. Additionally, there are speculations about his use of opium, possibly as a substitute for alcohol, which further complicated his health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Family History | Father and older brother were alcoholics |
| Excessive Drinking | Began in college and worsened after his mid-20s |
| Social Isolation | Felt isolated and never fit in well at boarding school |
| Loss and Grief | Brokenhearted after the death of a friend's mother when he was 15 |
| Estranged Relationship | Estranged from his stepfather, who withheld praise and support |
| Addiction | May have used opium as a substitute for alcohol |
| Alcohol Intolerance | Suggestions that his body couldn't tolerate alcohol |
| Genetic Predisposition | Male offspring of alcoholic fathers have a high chance of alcoholism |
| Career Impact | Alcoholism contributed to the loss of his journal, "The Broadway Journal" |
| Stigma | Haunted by accusations of drunkenness and the romanticization of alcoholism |
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What You'll Learn
Family history of alcoholism
Edgar Allan Poe's struggles with alcohol have been well-documented, with some sources noting that his excessive drinking began in college and took a toll on his health after his mid-20s. While there are accounts of people close to Poe denying that they ever saw him drunk, there are also accounts of him being intoxicated in public.
Poe's drinking problem has been attributed, in part, to his family history of alcoholism. Both his father, David Poe, Jr., and his older brother, Henry Poe, were said to have struggled with alcohol addiction. In a letter to John Allan in 1829, Poe himself acknowledged his brother's drinking problem, stating that Henry was "entirely given up to drink & unable to help himself."
Poe's father abandoned the family in 1810, and his mother passed away the following year, leaving the young Poe without a stable family unit. He was taken in by John and Frances Allan, who added "Allan" to his name, but he was never legally adopted. While Mrs. Allan was affectionate towards him, Mr. Allan, a prosperous tobacco merchant, was described as a difficult man who withheld the praise Poe sought.
Poe's early life was marked by instability and loss, and he experienced feelings of isolation during his time in boarding schools. Despite finding some stability and success in his writing career, Poe continued to struggle with alcohol throughout his life.
Poe's own writings and letters provide insight into his complicated relationship with alcohol. In a letter to James Kirke Paulding in 1838, Poe wrote, "Intemperance, with me, has never amounted to a habit... I have been fully awakened to the impolicy and degradation of the course hitherto pursued, and have abandoned the vice altogether, and without struggle." However, even after making such promises to himself and others, Poe struggled to stay away from alcohol, a pattern consistent with the behaviour of many alcoholics.
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College drinking and addiction
Edgar Allan Poe's excessive drinking reportedly began in college and worsened after his mid-20s. Poe's stepfather, John Allan, was a prosperous tobacco merchant with whom Poe had a strained relationship. Poe was estranged from his stepfather, who refused to pay the fees necessary for his release from military service, leading to his court-martial and dismissal. Poe's older brother and father also struggled with alcoholism, indicating a significant family history of alcohol abuse.
The social aspect of college life frequently encourages drinking, with most college drinking occurring in social settings. Drinking to relieve stress and anxiety, however, is associated with more long-term problems than social drinking. It can develop into a coping mechanism, leading to an alcohol use disorder (AUD), characterised by an inability to control or discontinue alcohol use despite negative consequences. AUD affects one's occupational, social, emotional, and physical health and is considered a brain disease.
The impact of college drinking can be severe, with one in four students experiencing academic difficulties, and one in five college women experiencing sexual assault, with alcohol often involved. Approximately 1,500 students aged 18 to 24 die annually from unintentional alcohol-related injuries, and many more are assaulted by drunk peers. These alarming statistics highlight the dangers of college drinking and the importance of addressing this issue to prevent lifelong consequences.
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Alcoholism as a disease
Edgar Allan Poe's struggles with alcohol have been well-documented. Poe's excessive drinking reportedly began in college and escalated in his mid-twenties. He had a significant family history of alcoholism, with both his father and older brother struggling with the disease. Poe's troubled life, including the loss of important figures and a strained relationship with his stepfather, may have contributed to his alcohol use.
Alcoholism, or alcohol addiction, is indeed recognized as a disease by professional medical organizations, including the American Medical Association (AMA), which classified it as such in 1956. Alcoholism is considered a chronic brain disorder, characterized by changes in the brain's structure and functioning. It is a progressive disease, often developing subtly over an extended period, to the extent that even the affected individual may not realize when alcohol has taken over their life. Denial is a common symptom, and many alcoholics resist treatment.
The progression of alcoholism can be understood through the lens of the brain's reward system. Alcohol, like other drugs, triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that makes us feel good and reinforces certain behaviors. Over time, the brain adjusts by reducing dopamine production, leading to a decreased ability to feel pleasure from ordinary pursuits. This disruption in the reward system can result in a loss of enjoyment from activities besides drinking, further fueling the addiction.
The impact of alcoholism extends beyond the individual, affecting their interpersonal relationships, social functioning, and economic stability. It is often accompanied by legal and financial problems, conflicts with loved ones, and difficulties at work or school. The disease knows no boundaries and can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or social status.
The good news is that alcoholism is treatable. Treatment options include inpatient and outpatient rehab programs, therapy, and support groups. Relapses may occur, but they are not indicative of failure. Instead, they serve as an opportunity to reevaluate and adjust the treatment plan. Seeking help is crucial, and with the right support, individuals struggling with alcoholism can manage their disease and lead fulfilling lives.
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Opium use
While Edgar Allan Poe is often associated with opium use, the extent of his opium use is debated. Some sources claim that Poe was an opium addict, with his work containing references to opium and opium users. For example, in "Ligeia", the narrator admits to being "habitually fettered in the shackles" of opium, and in "Berenice", the narrator's disease is aggravated by the "immoderate use of opium". In addition, Poe's cousin Elizabeth Herring recalled his opium use during the early 1840s.
However, others argue that Poe's opium use was exaggerated or non-existent. National Park Service ranger-researcher Christopher Eckard claims that there is no hard evidence that Poe used drugs, and that the myth was perpetrated by Rufus W. Griswold, with whom Poe had a feud. Dr. Thomas Dunn English, a contemporary of Poe's who knew him well but disliked him personally, also denied that Poe used narcotics, stating that he would have discovered any drug habit during their frequent visits. John Carter, who knew and examined Poe, also asserted that he never used opium.
It is possible that Poe did indulge in opium occasionally, perhaps as a substitute for alcohol, but the evidence is inconclusive. While some of his writings and personal accounts suggest periods of habitual opium use, other accounts from those who knew him claim that they never saw any signs of drug use.
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Alcoholism and his writing
Edgar Allan Poe's struggles with alcohol are well-documented. He had a significant family history of alcoholism, with both his father and older brother struggling with the disease. Poe's excessive drinking began in college and escalated in his mid-20s, possibly due to his inability to cope with various personal losses and unfulfilled desires for praise and recognition.
Poe's stepfather, John Allan, was a prosperous tobacco merchant described as a difficult man who withheld the praise and approval Poe sought. After a brief period of prosperity, Poe and his family moved to England, where he studied at boarding schools but felt isolated and never fit in. During this time, he became infatuated with a friend's mother, who died when he was 15, leaving him heartbroken.
Poe's struggles with alcohol continued into his adult life. In 1838, he wrote to James Kirke Paulding, acknowledging his struggles with intemperance and expressing his intention to abandon alcohol. However, in 1839, he was found intoxicated in the street, unable to raise himself from the gutter.
Poe's alcoholism had a detrimental impact on his career. By 1846, his alcoholism had contributed to the loss of his position at The Broadway Journal, and he had gained a reputation for stirring up well-publicized battles with his scathing literary reviews. His struggles with alcohol may have also played a role in the breakdown of his marriage, as his wife, Virginia, was in ill health during this period.
In addition to alcohol, Poe may have also used opium, particularly as a substitute for alcohol due to pressure from the temperance movement. While there is no conclusive evidence, references to opium in his writings and reports from those who knew him suggest that he may have turned to opium to escape the negative consequences of his alcohol use.
Poe's own writings and letters provide insight into his thoughts about his struggles. In a letter, he admitted that he derived "no pleasure" from the stimulants in which he sometimes indulged. Unfortunately, Poe's struggles with alcohol and possibly opium ultimately led to his premature death at the age of 40.
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Frequently asked questions
Edgar Allan Poe had a significant family history of alcoholism, with both his father and older brother struggling with the disease. Poe's excessive drinking began in college and escalated in his mid-20s.
Yes, in 1838, Poe wrote to James Kirke Paulding, "Intemperance, with me, has never amounted to a habit... I have been fully awakened to the impolicy and degradation of the course hitherto pursued, and have abandoned the vice altogether, and without struggle."
Yes, Poe's drinking problem led to public literary feuds and ultimately caused him to lose his job at The Broadway Journal.
Yes, Poe's drinking likely contributed to his estrangement from his stepfather, who refused to pay the fees necessary for Poe's release from military service, leading to his court-martial and dismissal.
There is evidence to suggest that Poe also used opium, particularly as a substitute for alcohol when the temperance movement gained traction in the 1840s.
