Charles Dickens, alcoholic?
Tracy writes: “Many thanks for this work and this site. You have touched my heart. Just to note that both Charles Dickens and “Mark Twain” were substantially changed in their later years. Although I know less about the life of Twain, I know Dickens became obsessed with a young woman in in latter years, and his writing and subject matter became more and more dark and cynical. In his last, unfinished novel, opium addiction is treated is a loathing/obsessive way with suggests personal experience.”
I asked Tracy, What in the world are you saying about Dickens and Twain? They were addicts?
She responded: “You had reviewed some of the signs of addiction. I have, in the course of my life noted that these two renowned people showes many of the signs. I remember something about Twain, alcohol and gambling, but am very vague about him. Dickens, on the other hand, showed much greater signs of moral deterioration, had many more risk factors, such as terribly unstable childhood due to his father’s profligacy. I do not know if there were any reports of his addiction, but there certainly was conjecture among scholars. According to your signs, he rated pretty high by the end of his life.”