Anything elevated to the level of art becomes a means to transport oneself— a force that penetrates reality and grants access to the state we are all seeking.

Addiction softens people, offering them an alternative reality, teaching them surrender and experiential humility.

There is nothing about addiction that makes it a less exalted access point to accessing hyper-focus—what elsewhere we have called genius.

Hunger hyper-focuses us on one object. It is non-discriminating and possessive. It can focus on a shot of whiskey or a person or God.