Hunter S. Thompson was a superhero of the outlaw world, with the uncanny ability to ingest an infinite amount of amphetamines, psychedelics, alcohol and strange outer-worldly substances without even a minute shift in composure or personality. He ate acid like peanuts. Inhaled cocaine like oxygen. Drank whisky like apple-juice. American journalist E. Jean Carroll was quick to capitalize on Thompson’s strange habits and in 1993 published a biographical novel, The Strange and Savage Life of Hunter S. Thompson. The first chapter of the book—perhaps the most notable excerpt—is Carroll’s documentation of Thompson’s drug-filled daily routine. I’m not sure how his information was gathered, nor how it was verified—quite honestly it doesn’t sound realistic as a long-term routine (how many days in a row can you eat acid?). Then again, nothing about Thompson was realistic. He shattered expectations for what was and wasn’t possible as a journalist, political voice and even a person. Thompson had the tolerance of an elephant and the mind of a razor.
Was this actually Thompson’s daily routine? It’s questionable. But it’s certainly not far off.
3:00 p.m: rise
3:05: Chivas Regal with the morning papers, Dunhills
3:45: cocaine
3:50: another glass of Chivas, Dunhill
4:05: first cup of coffee, Dunhill
4:15: cocaine
4:16: orange juice, Dunhill
4:30: cocaine
4:54: cocaine
5:05: cocaine
5:11: coffee, Dunhills
5:30: more ice in the Chivas
5:45: cocaine, etc., etc.
6:00: grass to take the edge off the day
7:05: Woody Creek Tavern for lunch-Heineken, two margaritas, coleslaw, a taco salad, a double order of fried onion rings, carrot cake, ice cream, a bean fritter, Dunhills, another Heineken, cocaine, and for the ride home, a snow cone (a glass of shredded ice over which is poured three or four jiggers of Chivas)
9:00: starts snorting cocaine seriously
10:00: drops acid
11:00: Chartreuse, cocaine, grass
11:30: cocaine, etc, etc.
12:00: midnight, Hunter S. Thompson is ready to write
12:05-6:00 a.m: Chartreuse, cocaine, grass, Chivas, coffee, Heineken, clove cigarettes, grapefruit, Dunhills, orange juice, gin, continuous pornographic movies.
6:00: the hot tub-champagne, Dove Bars, fettuccine Alfredo
8:00: Halcyon
8:20: sleep
