Dead reading

Some of my favorite writers or authors have given up their eligibility to compete. Hemingway and Hunter S. Thompson are two of my favorite examples. The catalyst for their premature kicking of the bucket was mainly alcohol. I wonder how much the use of drugs assisted and hindered these two. We all have tools to help us be creative  I am not opposed to straight Kentucky bourbon over some melting ice, whether it inhibits or assists my creativity I am not sure. What are some tools you use to help you're creative self come out?