I know three really brilliant musicians who have relied on alcohol all of their lives to just cope, much as Bonnie pointed out. One did not use it while creating, the other two had it in their systems pretty much all of the time. One of them died an old and used up drunk with no recognition for his brilliant work, including a song that becamse famous which he'd sold for $50, for his next drinking bout; the other kept it under tight ocntrol, BUT did loosen up beause of it when jamming and performing, so used it to get rid of inhibitions he'd been raised with about jazz not being an acceptable type of music to play. He tried to dry out many times. He blew his brains oout a few years ago.

The one who didn't use it for creativity, still uses it sometimes, in social situations where he feels uptight, but seems to have conquered the constant need.

So, I guess it depends on the person whether they use it to let go some inhiitions and really get down, depending on ability, or use it for coping.

Either way, I agree wiht BigRiB. As far as I am concerned, a natural high and natural creativity is much better and there's no hangover!