Famous Alcoholics

Many high profile individuals are, or were, alcoholics. Many famous alcoholics admitted that they had a problem with alcohol but many did not. Some people can be alcoholics and function close to normally, and even go on to become heroes or even the president. Alcoholism has existed for centuries, really since the invention of alcohol.

Edgar Allen Poe

Supporters of the idea that Alcoholism is a genetic disease make a case of Edgar Allen Poe. Poe’s father was an alcoholic although he was raised by friends of the family and not his father. Poe began drinking early in adult hood and it even interfered with his short military career, getting him kicked out. Poe drank consistently, even while writing and publishing some of his greatest works. He was found dead in the street at the age of 40 in 1849.

Ulysses S. Grant

A great war hero and later the 18th president of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant was also an alcoholic. Grant was an alcoholic who could function, to a point, although he was eventually stripped of his military duties in 1854 because of his drinking problem. He drank to a lesser degree during the Civil War and was declared a war hero by the conflicts end. In 1868 he was elected president despite his problem with alcohol and served two terms before dying of throat cancer.

John Daly

One of the more recent alcoholics is John Daly. This PGA golfer started his addiction to alcohol early, as young as age eight. Despite winning big golf tournaments, Daly continued his self destructive path and ended up getting arrested on alcohol related crimes. Daly has been suspended from the PGA on more than one occasion because of his drinking and has even been involved in disturbances with his fans.

Stephen King

A modern famous writer, Stephen king, has also battled with alcohol abuse. He had a drinking problem early in life in the 1970’s. He also battled with other addictions including illegal and prescription drugs. King became a successful writer despite his alcohol and drug use. In the late 1980’s he had a family intervention that motivated him to become sober and has successfully managed his addictions ever since.

Senator Joe McCarthy

As Ulysses S. Grant proved, highpoint politicians are not immune to alcohol abuse. Although McCarthy’s alcohol abuse was never substantiated, many people suspected that he had a drinking problem. He had many of the symptoms of an alcoholism including paranoia and anxiety. McCarthy died at the age of 48 from acute hepatitis, which is a common complication of alcohol addiction.

Many people suffer from alcohol addiction, and public figures are not immune to the affects of addiction. People with a drinking problem should not feel like they are alone or have nowhere to turn, there are many people who have overcome their addiction and can lend support.

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