Learn ! Does alcohol affect creativity?

Whether true or not, it calls to mind the cliché that alcohol boosts creativity. But is this notion rooted in reality? For insight, let's look at some examples.
History gives us many cases of creative geniuses who drank alcohol, some to excess. One of America's most famous painters of the 20th century was Jackson Pollock, who battled alcoholism throughout his life [source: Biography].
Celebrated singers have also succumbed to alcohol addiction, with Amy Winehouse providing a recent example [source: Guardian]. American icon Marilyn Monroe drank to excess, and alcohol was linked with her tragic death [source: Kashner].
With so many examples of devotion to drink among famous artists, one might conclude that intoxication fuels creativity. Fortunately for anyone who's considering a career in the arts, the opposite is true. In fact, alcohol likely stifles creativity, especially if consumed in large quantities.
The essential problem with the persistent misconception that alcohol boosts creativity is that it's difficult to dispute. Rarely does anyone make the news for being creative and sober.